Uranium dioxide is used as a nuclear-reactor fuel. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for uranium content, stoichiometry, 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 Specifications C753 and C776.
An assay is performed to determine whether the material has the minimum uranium content specified on a dry weight basis.
The stoichiometry of the oxide is useful for predicting its sintering behavior in the pellet production process.
Determination of the isotopic content of the uranium in the uranium 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 uranium dioxide powders and pellets to determine compliance with specifications.
1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:
| Sections | |
| Uranium by Ferrous Sulfate Reduction in Phosphoric Acid and Dichromate Titration Method | |
| C1267 Test Method for Uranium By Iron (II) Reduction In Phosphoric Acid Followed By Chromium (VI) Titration In The Presence of Vanadium | |
| Uranium and Oxygen Uranium Atomic Ratio by the Ignition (Gravimetric) Impurity Correction Method | |
| C1453 Standard Test Method for the Determination of Uranium by Ignition and Oxygen to Uranium Ratio (O/U) Atomic Ratio of Nuclear Grade Uranium Dioxide Powders and Pellets | |
| Carbon (Total) by Direct Combustion-Thermal Conductivity Method | |
| C1408 Test Method for Carbon (Total) in Uranium Oxide Powders and Pellets By Direct Combustion-Infrared Detection Method | |
| Total Chlorine and Fluorine by Pyrohydrolysis Ion-Selective Electrode Method | |
| C1502 Standard Test Method for the Determination of Total Chlorine and Fluorine in Uranium Dioxide and Gadolinium Oxide nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; | |
| Moisture by the Coulometric, Electrolytic Moisture Analyzer Method | 7-14 |
| Nitrogen by the Kjeldahl Method | 15-22 |