ASTM C809-13
Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide and AluminumOxide-Boron Carbide Composite Pellets

Standard No.
ASTM C809-13
Release Date
2013
Published By
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
Status
Replace By
ASTM C809-19
Latest
ASTM C809-19
Scope

3.1 Aluminum oxide pellets are used in a reactor core as filler or spacers within fuel, burnable poison, or control rods. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for 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 C785.

3.1.1 Impurity content is determined to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of certain impurity elements is not exceeded.

3.2 Aluminum oxide-boron carbide composite pellets are used in a reactor core as a component in neutron absorber rods. In order to be suitable for this purpose, the material must meet certain criteria for boron content, isotopic composition, and impurity content as described in Specification C784.

3.2.1 The material is assayed for boron to determine whether the boron content is as specified by the purchaser.

3.2.2 Determination of the isotopic content of the boron is made to establish whether the 10B concentration is in compliance with the purchaser's specifications.

3.2.3 Impurity content is determined to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of certain impurity elements is not exceeded.

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, and spectrochemical analysis of nuclear-grade aluminum oxide and aluminum oxide-boron carbide composite pellets to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:

Sections

Boron by Titrimetry and ICP OES

7 to 16

Separation of Boron for Mass Spectrometry

17 to 22

Isotopic Composition by Mass Spectrometry

23 to 26

Separation of Halides by Pyrohydrolysis

27 to 30

Chloride and Fluoride by Ion-Selective Electrode