ASTM C1268-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of 241Am in Plutonium by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
Standard Test Method for Quantitative Determination of <sup>241</sup>Am in Plutonium by Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method allows the determination of 241Am in a plutonium solution without separation of the americium from the plutonium. It is generally applicable to any solution containing 241Am.
5.2 The 241Am in solid plutonium materials may be determined when these materials are dissolved (see Practice C1168).
5.3 When the plutonium solution contains unacceptable levels of fission products or other materials, this method may be used following a tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) extraction, ion exchange or other similar separation techniques (see Test Methods C758 and C759).
5.4 This test method is less subject to interferences from plutonium than alpha counting since the energy of the gamma ray used for the analysis is better resolved from other gamma rays than the alpha particle energies used for alpha counting.
5.5 The minimal sample preparation reduces the amount of sample handling and exposure to the analyst.
5.6 This test method is applicable only to homogeneous solutions. This test method is not suitable for solutions containing solids.
5.7 Solutions containing 241Am at concentrations as little as 1 × 10−5 g/L may be analyzed using this method. The lower limit depends on the detector used and the counting geometry. Solutions containing high concentrations may be analyzed following an appropriate dilution.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of 241Am by gamma-ray spectrometry in plutonium nitrate solution samples that do not contain significant amounts of radioactive fission products or other high specific activity gamma-ray emitters.
1.2 This test method can be used to determine the 241Am in samples of plutonium metal, oxide and other solid forms, when the solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Additionally, the non-SI units of electron volts, kiloelectron volts, and liters 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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.
Designation: C1268 − 23
Standard Test Method for
241
Quantitative Determination of Am in Plutonium by
1
Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1268; 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 Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Nitrate Solutions
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination
241 C1009 Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality
of Am by gamma-ray spectrometry in plutonium nitrate
Assurance Program for Analytical Laboratories Within the
solution samples that do not contain significant amounts of
Nuclear Industry
radioactive fission products or other high specific activity
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium
gamma-ray emitters.
Materials for Analysis
241
1.2 This test method can be used to determine the Am in
C1592/C1592M Guide for Making Quality Nondestructive
samples of plutonium metal, oxide and other solid forms, when
Assay Measurements
the solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved.
E3376 Practice for Calibration and Usage of Germanium
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Detectors in Radiation Metrology for Reactor Dosimetry
standard. Additionally, the non-SI units of electron volts, 2.2 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory
3
kiloelectron volts, and liters are to be regarded as standard. No
Guides:
other units of measurement are included in this standard. Regulatory Guide 5.9, Rev. 2—Guidelines for Germanium
Spectroscopy Systems for Measurement of Special
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Nuclear Material
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Regulatory Guide 5.53, Rev. 1—Qualification, Calibration,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3
and Error Estimation Methods for Nondestructive Assay
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, definitions of terms
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the are as given in Terminology C859.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4. Summary of Test Method
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4.1 An aliquot of the sample that contains about 10 ng to
241
100 ng of Am is analyzed by measuring the intensity of the
2. Referenced Documents 241
characteristic 59.5 keV gamma ray emitted by Am.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.2 Multiple sample geometries may be used if an appro-
C758 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
priate calibration for each geometry is made.
Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of
4.3 The sample geometry must be reproducible. This in-
Nuclear-Grade Plutonium Metal
cludes the physical characteristics of the sample container, the
C759 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
positioning of the sample, and the volume of sample viewed by
Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of
the gamma-ray detector.
4.4 Electronic corrections are made, if required, for the
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear
effects of pulse pile-up and dead time losses due to the activity
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
Test. of the sample. The necessity of dead time and pulse pile-up
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally
corrections can be reduced by sample dilution to control count
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C1268 – 15. DOI:
rates.
10.1520/C1268-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, One White Flint North,
the ASTM website. 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. Also through www.nrc.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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C1268 − 23
4.5 A correction is made for the
...
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: C1268 − 15 C1268 − 23
Standard Test Method for
241
Quantitative Determination of Am in Plutonium by
1
Gamma-Ray Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1268; 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
241
1.1 This test method covers the quantitative determination of Am by gamma-ray spectrometry in plutonium nitrate solution
samples that do not contain significant amounts of radioactive fission products or other high specific activity gamma-ray emitters.
241
1.2 This test method can be used to determine the Am in samples of plutonium metal, oxide and other solid forms, when the
solid is appropriately sampled and dissolved.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Additionally, the non-SI units of electron volts, kiloelectron volts,
and liters 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C758 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-
Grade Plutonium Metal
C759 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-
Grade Plutonium Nitrate Solutions
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
C1009 Guide for Establishing and Maintaining a Quality Assurance Program for Analytical Laboratories Within the Nuclear
Industry
C1168 Practice for Preparation and Dissolution of Plutonium Materials for Analysis
C1592/C1592M Guide for Making Quality Nondestructive Assay Measurements
E181E3376 GuidePractice for Detector Calibration and Analysis of Radionuclides Usage of Germanium Detectors in Radiation
Metrology for Reactor Dosimetry
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of Test.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015Oct. 1, 2023. Published July 2015November 2023. Originally approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 20082015 as
C1268 – 94 (2008).C1268 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/C1268-15.10.1520/C1268-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
C1268 − 23
3
2.2 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guides:
Regulatory Guide 5.9, Rev. 2—Guidelines for Germanium Spectroscopy Systems for Measurement of Special Nuclear
MaterialsMaterial
3
Regulatory Guide 5.53, Rev. 1—Qualification, Calibration, and Error Estimation Methods for Nondestructive Assay
3. Terminology
3.1 Except as otherwise defined herein, definitions of terms are as given in Terminology C859.
4. Summary of Test Method
241
4.1 An aliquot of the sample that contains about 1010 ng to 100 ng of Am is analyzed by measuring the intensity of the
241
characteristic 59.5 keV gamma ray emitted by Am.
4.2 Multiple sample geometries may be used if an appropriate calibration for each geometry is made.
4.3 The sample geometry must be reproducible. This includes the physical characteristics of the sample container, the positioning
of the sample, and the volume of sample viewed by the gamma-ray detector.
4.4 Electronic corrections are made, if required, for the effects of pulse pile-up and dead time losses due to the activity of the
sample. The necessity of dead time and pulse pil
...
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