ASTM C1233-15
Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials

Standard No.

ASTM C1233-15

Release Date

2015

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM C1233-15(2021)

Latest

ASTM C1233-15(2021)

Scope

4.1 Use of this standard practice yields an equivalent boron content (EBC) that can be used to characterize the neutron-absorbing properties of a nuclear material. The elements included in the calculation are typically chosen so that the EBC represents either the entire material (for example, for a moderator) or the impurities in the material (for example, for a nuclear fuel). This practice is typically used for materials in which thermal neutron absorption is undesirable. The EBC is not intended for use as an input to any neutronic calculation. The EBC factors in Table 1 were selected to represent neutron absorption in water reactors under normal operating conditions. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate their suitability for other purposes.

(A) Neutron Cross Sections , Vol 1, Parts A and B, Academic Press, New York, 1981 and 1984, respectively.

(B) Holden, N. E., and Martin, R. L., Pure and Applied Chemistry, Vol 56, p. 653, 1984.

(C) When present in small concentrations, this element should be excluded from determinations of the total EBC.

(D) In the absence of other data, the neutron capture cross section for a Maxwellian flux is used.

(E) Cross section is primarily due to a single isotope, whose isotopic abundance is variable in nature. The value can vary between 733 and 779 barns depending upon the source. See Holden, N. E., Neutron Capture Cross Section Standards for BNL-325, Fourth Ed., BNL-NCS-51388, January 1981.

(F) Cross section is primarily due to a single isotope, whose isotopic abundance is variable in nature. The value can vary between 69 and 72 barns depending upon the source. See Holden, N. E., Neutron Capture Cross Section Standards for BNL-325, Fourth Ed., BNL-NCS-51388, January 1981.

1.1 This standard details a recommended practice for the calculation of the Equivalent Boron Content (EBC) for nuclear materials. The EBC is used to provide a measure of the macroscopic neutron absorption cross section of a nuclear material. EBC factors for the natural elements are determined from their atomic masses and thermal neutron absorption cross sections. This practice is illustrated by using EBC factors that are based on thermal neutron (2200 m/s) absorption cross sections. Other EBC factors may be used depending upon the actual neutron energy spectrum.

1.2 The EBC is a characteristic of a homogeneous material. Characterization of inhomogeneous materials and calculation of neutron mult......

ASTM C1233-15 Referenced Document

• ASTM C696 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
• ASTM C698 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Mixed Oxides ((U, Pu)O₂)
• ASTM C761 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride
• ASTM C799 Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solutions
• ASTM C859 Standard Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials

ASTM C1233-15 history

• 2021 ASTM C1233-15(2021) Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials
• 2015 ASTM C1233-15 Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials
• 2009 ASTM C1233-09 Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials
• 2003 ASTM C1233-03 Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials
• 1998 ASTM C1233-98 Standard Practice for Determining Equivalent Boron Contents of Nuclear Materials