Uranium and plutonium oxides can be used as a nuclear-reactor fuel in the form of pellets. In order to be suitable for use as a nuclear fuel the starting material must meet certain specifications, such as found in C 757, C 833, C 753, C 776, C 1008, or as specified by the purchaser. The uranium and/or plutonium concentration and isotopic abundances are measured by mass spectrometry following this test method.

The separated heavy element fractions placed on mass spectrometric filaments must be very pure. The quantity required depends upon the sensitivity of the instrument detection system. If an electron multiplier detector is to be used, only a few nanograms are required. If a Faraday cup is used, a few micrograms are needed. Chemical purity of the sample becomes more important as the sample size decreases, because ion emission of the sample is suppressed by impurities.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the concentration and isotopic composition of uranium and plutonium in solutions. The purified uranium or plutonium from samples ranging from nuclear materials to environmental or bioassay matrices is loaded onto a mass spectrometric filament. The isotopic ratio is determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry, the concentration is determined by isotope dilution.

1.2 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 safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.