ASTM C697-10
Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets

Standard No.

ASTM C697-10

Release Date

2010

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM C697-16

Latest

ASTM C697-16

Scope

Plutonium dioxide is used in mixtures with uranium dioxide as a nuclear-reactor fuel. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for plutonium content, isotopic composition, and impurity content. These test methods are designed to show whether or not a given material meets the specifications for these items as described in Specification C757.

An assay is performed to determine whether the material has the minimum plutonium content specified on a dry weight basis.

Determination of the isotopic content of the plutonium in the plutonium dioxide powder is made to establish whether the effective fissile content is in compliance with the purchaser's specifications.

Impurity content is determined to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of certain impurity elements is not exceeded. Determination of impurities is also required for calculation of the equivalent boron content (EBC).

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, and spectrochemical analysis of nuclear-grade plutonium dioxide powders and pellets to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:

ASTM C697-10 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1009 Standard Guide for Establishing a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1068 Standard Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1108 Standard Test Method for Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry
• ASTM C1128 Standard Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
• ASTM C1156 Standard Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
• ASTM C1165 Standard Test Method for Determining Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry in H₂SO₄ at a Platinum Working Electrode
• ASTM C1168 Standard Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
• ASTM C1206 Standard Test Method for Plutonium by Iron (II)/Chromium (VI) Amperometric Titration
• ASTM C1210 Standard Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1235 Standard Test Method for Plutonium by Titanium(III)/Cerium(IV) Titration
• ASTM C1268 Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of Americium 241 in Plutonium by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
• ASTM C1297 Standard Guide for Qualification of Laboratory Analysts for the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
• ASTM C1307 Standard Test Method for Plutonium Assay by Plutonium (III) Diode Array Spectrophotometry
• ASTM C1415 Standard Test Method for ²³⁸Pu Isotopic Abundance by Alpha Spectrometry
• ASTM C1432 Standard Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Plutonium: Acid Dissolution, Ion Exchange Matrix Separation, and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopic (ICP/AES) Analysis
• ASTM C757 Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powder, Sinterable
• ASTM C852 Standard Guide for Design Criteria for Plutonium Gloveboxes
• ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• ASTM E115 Standard Practice for Photographic Processing in Optical Emission Spectrographic Analysis (Withdrawn 2002)
• ASTM E116 Standard Practice for Photographic Photometry in Spectrochemical Analysis (Withdrawn 2002)
• ASTM E60 Standard Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Molecular Absorption Spectrometry

ASTM C697-10 history

• 2016 ASTM C697-16 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
• 2010 ASTM C697-10 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
• 2004 ASTM C697-04 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
• 1998 ASTM C697-98 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets