ASTM C759-18

ASTM C759-18 - 1.9.2018

Significance and Use

4.1 These test methods are designed to show whether a given material meets the purchaser's specifications.

4.1.1 An assay is performed to determine whether the material has the specified plutonium content.

4.1.2 Determination of the isotopic content of the plutonium in the plutonium-nitrate solution is made to establish whether the effective fissile content is in compliance with the purchaser's specifications.

4.1.3 Impurity content is determined by a variety of methods to ensure that the maximum concentration limit of specified impurities is not exceeded. Determination of impurities is also required for calculation of the equivalent boron content (EBC).

4.2 Fitness for Purpose of Safeguards and Nuclear Safety Applications—Methods intended for use in safeguards and nuclear safety applications shall meet the requirements specified by Guide C1068 for use in such applications.

1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, spectrochemical, nuclear, and radiochemical analysis of nuclear-grade plutonium nitrate solutions to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:

Sections

Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry

Plutonium by Amperometric Titration with Iron(II)

Plutonium by Diode Array Spectrophotometry

Free Acid by Titration in an Oxalate Solution

8 to 15

Free Acid by Iodate Precipitation-Potentiometric Titration
Test Method

16 to 22

Uranium by Arsenazo I Spectrophotometric Test Method

23 to 33

Thorium by Thorin Spectrophotometric Test Method

34 to 42

Iron by 1,10-Phenanthroline Spectrophotometric Test Method

43 to 50

Impurities by ICP-AES

Chloride by Thiocyanate Spectrophotometric Test Method

51 to 58

Fluoride by Distillation-Spectrophotometric Test Method

59 to 66

Sulfate by Barium Sulfate Turbidimetric Test Method

67 to 74

Isotopic Composition by Mass Spectrometry

75 to 76

Plutonium-238 Isotopic Abundance by Alpha Spectrometry

Americium-241 by Extraction and Gamma Counting

77 to 85

Americium-241 by Gamma Counting

86 to 94

Gamma-Emitting Fission Products, Uranium, and Thorium by Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy

94 to 102

Rare Earths by Copper Spark Spectrochemical Test Method

103 to 105

Tungsten, Niobium (Columbium), and Tantalum by Spectro-
chemical Test Method

106 to 114

Sample Preparation for Spectrographic Analysis for General
Impurities

115 to 118

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.4 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. For specific safeguard and safety hazard statements, see Section 6.

1.5 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.

2. Referenced Documents

C1415-18	Standard Test Method for 238Pu Isotopic Abundance By Alpha Spectrometry
E115-97	Standard Practice for Photographic Processing in Optical Emission Spectrographic Analysis (Withdrawn 2002)
E116-97	Standard Practice for Photographic Photometry in Spectrochemical Analysis (Withdrawn 2002)
C1432-23	Standard Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Plutonium: Acid Dissolution, Ion Exchange Matrix Separation, and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopic (ICP/AES) Analysis
D1193-06(2018)	Standard Specification for Reagent Water
E50-17	Standard Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
C1128-23	Standard Guide for Preparation of Working Reference Materials for Use in Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1156-18	Standard Guide for Establishing Calibration for a Measurement Method Used to Analyze Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1165-23	Standard Test Method for Determining Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry in H2SO4 at a Platinum Working Electrode
C1206-02	Standard Test Method for Plutonium by Iron (II)/Chromium (VI) Amperometric Titration
C1210-21	Standard Guide for Establishing a Measurement System Quality Control Program for Analytical Chemistry Laboratories Within Nuclear Industry
C1235-99	Standard Test Method for Plutonium by Titanium(III)/Cerium(IV) Titration (Withdrawn 2005)
C1268-23	Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of 241Am in Plutonium by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
C1297-18	Standard Guide for Qualification of Laboratory Analysts for the Analysis of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Materials
C1307-21	Standard Test Method for Plutonium Assay by Plutonium (III) Diode Array Spectrophotometry
C697-16	Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
C852-09	Standard Guide for Design Criteria for Plutonium Gloveboxes
C1009-21	Standard Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Laboratories Within the Nuclear Industry
C1068-21	Standard Guide for Qualification of Measurement Methods by a Laboratory Within the Nuclear Industry
C1108-23	Standard Test Method for Plutonium by Controlled-Potential Coulometry