ASTM C1871-22
Standard Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic Composition by the Double Spike Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer

Standard No.

ASTM C1871-22

Release Date

2022

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Latest

ASTM C1871-22

Scope

1.1 This test method describes the determination of the isotope amount ratios of uranium material as nitrate solutions by the double spike (DS) method using a thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) instrument. 1.2 The analytical performance in the determination of the 235 U/238 U major isotope amount ratio by the DS method is five to ten times better in terms of the internal and external reproducibility compared to the (“classical”) total evaporation (TE) method as described in Test Method C1672 and the “modified total evaporation” (MTE) as described in Test Method C1832. This is due to the use of an internal rather than external mass fractionation correction by using a double spike material with a known or certified 233 U/236 U isotope ratio, which is mixed with the sample prior to the measurement, either during the sample preparation or directly on the TIMS filament. 1.3 The DS method cannot be applied for the determination of the 236 U/238 U minor isotope amount ratio, and is also not recommended for the determination of the 234 U/238 U minor isotope amount ratio. 1.4 In case the uranium amount concentration of the double spike is known or certified, the uranium amount concentration of the sample can be determined using the isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) method as described in Test Method C1672, by blending the sample gravimetrically with the double spike and performing a DS measurement. 1.5 An external mass fractionation correction by measurements of a certified reference material loaded on different filaments and measured in the same measurement sequence, as recommended for TE and required for MTE measurements, is not necessary for the DS method. However, for quality control (QC) purposes it is recommended to perform DS measurements of low enriched or natural uranium isotopic reference materials on a regular basis. 1.6 The DS method can only be applied to uranium samples with relative isotope abundances 233 U/U below 10–5 and 236 U/U below 5 × 10–4 , the DS method is therefore mainly used for low enriched or close to natural uranium samples. 1.7 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. When no SI units are provided, the values are for information only. 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM C1871-22 Referenced Document

• ASTM C1008 Standard Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Dioxide
  Pellets&x2014;Fast Reactor Fuel
• ASTM C1068 Standard Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
• 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 C1347 Standard Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Uranium Materials for Analysis*， 2023-01-01 Update
• ASTM C1411 Standard Practice for the Ion Exchange Separation of Uranium and Plutonium Prior to Isotopic Analysis
• ASTM C1672 Standard Test Method for Determination of the Uranium, Plutonium or Americium Isotopic Composition or Concentration by the Total Evaporation Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer*， 2024-01-26 Update
• ASTM C1832 Standard Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic Composition by Modified Total Evaporation (MTE) Method Using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer*， 2023-01-01 Update
• ASTM C753 Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium Dioxide Powder
• ASTM C776 Standard Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets for Light Water Reactors*， 2022-07-01 Update
• ASTM C787 Standard Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment
• ASTM C833 Standard Specification for Sintered (Uranium-Plutonium) Dioxide Pellets
• ASTM C859 Standard Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
• ASTM C967 Standard Specification for Uranium Ore Concentrate
• ASTM C996 Standard Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to Less Than 5% 235U1
• ASTM D1193 Standard Specification for Reagent Water
• ASTM E2586 Standard Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
• ASTM E2655 Standard Guide for Reporting Uncertainty of Test Results and Use of the Term Measurement Uncertainty in ASTM Test Methods

ASTM C1871-22 history

• 2022 ASTM C1871-22 Standard Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic Composition by the Double Spike Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer
• 2018 ASTM C1871-18a Standard Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic Composition by the Double Spike Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer
• 2018 ASTM C1871-18 Standard Test Method for Determination of Uranium Isotopic Composition by the Double Spike Method Using a Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometer