ASTM C1458-16
Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and&x2009;²⁴¹Am by Calorimetric Assay

Standard No.

ASTM C1458-16

Release Date

2016

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM C1458-16

Scope

5.1 This test method is considered to be the most accurate NDA technique for the assay of many physical forms of Pu. Isotopic measurements by gamma-ray spectroscopy or destructive analysis techniques are part of this test method when it is applied to the assay of Pu.

5.1.1 Calorimetry has been applied to a wide variety of Pu-bearing solids including metals, alloys, oxides, fluorides, mixed Pu-U oxides, mixed oxide fuel pins, waste, and scrap, for example, ash, ash heels, salts, crucibles, and graphite scarfings) (2, 3). This test method has been routinely used at U.S. and European facilities for Pu process measurements and nuclear material accountability since the mid 1960’s (2-9).

5.1.2 Pu-bearing materials have been measured in calorimeter containers ranging in size from about 0.025 m to about 0.63 m in diameter and from about 0.076 m to about 1.38 m in height.

5.1.3 Gamma-ray spectroscopy typically is used to determine the Pu isotopic composition and8201;²⁴¹Am to Pu ratio (see Test Method C1030). However, isotopic information from mass spectrometry and alpha counting measurements may be used instead (see Test Method C697).

5.2 This test method is considered to be the most accurate NDA method for the measurement of tritium. For many physical forms of tritium compounds calorimetry is currently the only practical measurement technique available.

5.3 Physical standards representative of the materials being assayed are not required for the test method.

5.3.1 This test method is largely independent of the elemental distribution of the nuclear materials in the matrix.

5.3.2 The accuracy of the method can be degraded for materials with inhomogeneous isotopic composition.

5.4 The thermal power measurement is traceable to national measurement systems through electrical standards used to directly calibrate the calorimeters or to calibrate secondary8201;²³⁸Pu heat standards.

5.5 Heat-flow calorimetry has been used to prepare secondary standards for neutron and gamma-ray assay systems (7-12).

ASTM C1458-16 Referenced Document

• ANSI N15.36 American National Standard for Methods of Nuclear Material Control - Measurement Control Program - Nondestructive Assay Measurement Control and Assurance
• ASTM C1009 Standard Guide for Establishing a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
• ASTM C1030 Standard Test Method for Determination of Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
• ASTM C1592 Standard Guide for Nondestructive Assay Measurements
• ASTM C1673 Standard Terminology of C26.10 Nondestructive Assay Methods
• ASTM C697 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets

ASTM C1458-16 history

• 2016 ASTM C1458-16 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and&x2009;²⁴¹Am by Calorimetric Assay
• 2009 ASTM C1458-09e1 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and ²⁴¹Am by Calorimetric Assay
• 2009 ASTM C1458-09 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and ²⁴¹Am by Calorimetric Assay
• 2000 ASTM C1458-00 Standard Test Method for Nondestructive Assay of Plutonium, Tritium and ²⁴¹Am by Calorimetric Assay