ASTM D3648-14

Standard Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity (Withdrawn 2023)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice was developed for the purpose of summarizing the various generic radiometric techniques, equipment, and practices that are used for the measurement of radioactivity.
SCOPE
1.1 These practices cover a review of the accepted counting practices currently used in radiochemical analyses. The practices are divided into four sections:
Section    
General Information  
6 – 11  
Alpha Counting  
12 – 22  
Beta Counting  
23 – 33  
Gamma Counting  
34 – 41
1.2 The general information sections contain information applicable to all types of radioactive measurements, while each of the other sections is specific for a particular type of radiation.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2013
• ICS: 17.240 - Radiation measurements
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.04 - Methods of Radiochemical Analysis

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D3648 − 14
Standard Practices for the
1
Measurement of Radioactivity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3648; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3649PracticeforHigh-ResolutionGamma-RaySpectrom-
1.1 These practices cover a review of the accepted counting
etry of Water
practices currently used in radiochemical analyses. The prac-
IEEE/ASTM SI 10American National Standard for Metric
tices are divided into four sections:
Practice
Section
4
2.2 ANSI/ISO Standards:
General Information 6–11
Alpha Counting 12–22
ANSIN42.14CalibrationandUseofGermaniumSpectrom-
Beta Counting 23–33
etersfortheMeasurementofGamma-RayEmissionRates
Gamma Counting 34–41
of Radionuclides
1.2 The general information sections contain information
ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in
applicabletoalltypesofradioactivemeasurements,whileeach
Measurement, 1993
of the other sections is specific for a particular type of
radiation.
3. Terminology
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1 Definitions:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these practices, refer
standard.
to Terminology D1129. For an explanation of the metric
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the system, including units, symbols, and conversion factors, see
IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Summary of Practices
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 The practices are a compilation of the various counting
techniques employed in the measurement of radioactivity. The
2. Referenced Documents
important variables that affect the accuracy or precision of
2
counting data are presented. Because a wide variety of instru-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ments and techniques are available for radiochemical
D1066Practice for Sampling Steam
laboratories, the types of instruments and techniques to be
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
selected will be determined by the information desired. In a
D1943Test Method for Alpha Particle Radioactivity of
simple tracer application using a single radioactive isotope
Water
having favorable properties of high purity, energy, and ample
D2459Test Method for Gamma Spectrometry of Industrial
3
activity, a simple detector will probably be sufficient and
Water and Industrial Waste Water (Withdrawn 1986)
techniques may offer no problems other than those related to
D3084Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
reproducibility. The other extreme would be a laboratory
D3085Practice for Measurement of Low-Level Activity in
3
requiring quantitative identification of a variety of
Water (Withdrawn 1987)
radionuclides, preparation of standards, or studies of the
characteristic radiation from radionuclides. For the latter, a
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water variety of specialized instruments are required. Most radio-
and are the direct responsibility of D19.04 on Methods of RadiochemicalAnalysis.
chemical laboratories require a level of information between
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014. Published January 2014. Originally
these two extremes.
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3648–04 (2011).
DOI: 10.1520/D3648-14.
4.2 A basic requirement for accurate measurements is the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
use of accurate standards for instrument calibration. With the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3 4
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
www.astm.org. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3648 − 14
present availability of good standards, only the highly diverse 7.1.2 Some detectors and high-gain amplifiers are tempera-
radiochemistry laboratories require instrumentation suitable ture sensitive; therefore, changes in pulse amplitude can occur
for producing their own radioactive standards. However, it is as room temperature varies. For this reas
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D3648 − 04 (Reapproved 2011) D3648 − 14
Standard Practices for the
1
Measurement of Radioactivity
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3648; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These practices cover a review of the accepted counting practices currently used in radiochemical analyses. The practices
are divided into four sections:
Section
General Information 6 to 11
General Information 6 – 11
Alpha Counting 12 to 22
Alpha Counting 12 – 22
Beta Counting 23 to 33
Beta Counting 23 – 33
Gamma Counting 34 to 41
Gamma Counting 34 – 41
1.2 The general information sections contain information applicable to all types of radioactive measurements, while each of the
other sections is specific for a particular type of radiation.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1943 Test Method for Alpha Particle Radioactivity of Water
3
D2459 Test Method for Gamma Spectrometry of Industrial Water and Industrial Waste Water (Withdrawn 1986)
D3084 Practice for Alpha-Particle Spectrometry of Water
3
D3085 Practice for Measurement of Low-Level Activity in Water (Withdrawn 1987)
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3649 Practice for High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry of Water
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Metric Practice
4
2.2 ANSI/ISO Standards:
ANSI N42.14 Calibration and Use of Germanium Spectrometers for the Measurement of Gamma-Ray Emission Rates of
Radionuclides
ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, 1993 to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, 1993
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and are the direct responsibility of D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical Analysis.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2011Jan. 1, 2014. Published January 2011January 2014. Originally approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 20042011 as
D3648 – 04.D3648 – 04 (2011). DOI: 10.1520/D3648-04R11. 10.1520/D3648-14.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3648 − 14
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these practices, refer to Terminology D1129. For an explanation of the metric system,
including units, symbols, and conversion factors, see Practice IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
4. Summary of Practices
4.1 The practices are a compilation of the various counting techniques employed in the measurement of radioactivity. The
important variables that affect the accuracy or precision of counting data are presented. Because a wide variety of instruments and
techniques are available for radiochemical laboratories, the types of instruments and techniques to be selected will be determined
by the information desired. In a simple tracer application using a single radioactive isotope having favorable properties of high
purity, energy, and ample activity, a simple detector will probably be sufficient and techniques may offer no problems other than
those related to reproducibility. The other extreme would be a laboratory requiring quantitative identification of a variety of
radionuclides, preparation of standards, or studies of the characteristic radiation from radionuclides. For the latter, a variety of
specialized instruments ar
...