ASTM C1287-03

Standard Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Uranium Dioxide by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of 67 elements in uranium dioxide samples and nuclear grade uranium compounds and solutions without matrix separation by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The elements are listed in Table 1. These elements can also be determined in uranyl nitrate hexahydrate (UNH), uranium hexafluoride (UF6), triuranium octoxide (U3O8) and uranium trioxide (UO 3) if these compounds are treated and converted to the same uranium concentration solution.
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 appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.For a specific warning statement, see Note 1.
Note 1—Warning: The ICP-MS is a source of intense ultra-violet radiation from the radio frequency induced plasma. Protection from radio frequency radiation and UV radiation is provided by the instrument under normal operation.
1.3 The elements boron, sodium, silicon, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and iron can be determined using different techniques. The analyst's instrumentation will determine which procedure is chosen for the analysis.
1.4 The test method for technetium-99 is given in Annex A1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-2003
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.05 - Methods of Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C1287-95(2001) - Standard Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Uranium Dioxide by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Replaced By: ASTM C1287-10 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Impurities in Nuclear Grade Uranium Compounds by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2010
• Referred By: ASTM C1453-19 - Standard Test Method for the Determination of Uranium by Ignition and the Oxygen to Uranium (O/U) Atomic Ratio of Nuclear Grade Uranium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1647-20 - Standard Practice for Removal of Uranium or Plutonium, or both, for Impurity Assay in Uranium or Plutonium Materials
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1463-19 - Standard Practices for Dissolving Glass Containing Radioactive and Mixed Waste for Chemical and Radiochemical Analysis
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C696-19 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranium Dioxide Powders and Pellets
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1430-18 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Uranium, Oxygen to Uranium (O/U), and Oxygen to Metal (O/M) in Sintered Uranium Dioxide and Gadolinia-Uranium Dioxide Pellets by Atmospheric Equilibration
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C761-18 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Uranium Hexafluoride
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C889-18 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical and Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Gadolinium Oxide (Gd<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>) Powder
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C799-19 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solutions
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003
• Referred By: ASTM C1022-17(2022) - Standard Test Methods for Chemical and Atomic Absorption Analysis of Uranium-Ore Concentrate
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2003

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:C1287–03
Standard Test Method for
Determination of Impurities in Nuclear Grade Uranium
Compounds by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass
1
Spectrometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1287; 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 C787 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrich-
ment
1.1 This test method covers the determination of 67 ele-
C788 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Uranyl Nitrate Solu-
ments in uranium dioxide samples and nuclear grade uranium
tion or Crystals
compounds and solutions without matrix separation by induc-
C967 Specification for Uranium Ore Concentrate
tively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The
C996 Specification for Uranium Hexafluoride Enriched to
elements are listed in Table 1. These elements can also be
235
Less Than 5 % U
determined in uranyl nitrate hexahydrate (UNH), uranium
,
C1346 Practice for Dissolution of UF from P-10 Tubes
hexafluoride (UF ), triuranium octoxide (U O ) and uranium 6
6 3 8
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
trioxide(UO )ifthesecompoundsaretreatedandconvertedto
3
the same uranium concentration solution.
3. Summary of Test Method
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 The sample is dissolved in acid if it is not already a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
solution. A fixed quantity of internal standard is added to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
monitor and correct for signal instability. The level of impuri-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ties in the solution is measured by ICP-MS. Customized
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
software calculates the concentration of each element.
warning statement, see Note 1.
3.2 Uranium-concentration-matched standard solutions are
NOTE 1—Warning:The ICP-MS is a source of intense ultra-violet
used to calibrate the ICP-MS instrument. The calibration is
radiation from the radio frequency induced plasma. Protection from radio 3,4
linear up to at least 0.2 µg/ml (100 µg/g U) for each analyte.
frequency radiation and UVradiation is provided by the instrument under
normal operation.
4. Significance and Use
1.3 The elements boron, sodium, silicon, phosphorus, po-
4.1 This test method is capable of measuring the elements
tassium, calcium and iron can be determined using different
listed inTable 1, some of which are required by Specifications
techniques. The analyst’s instrumentation will determine
C753, C776, C787, C788, C967 and C996.
which procedure is chosen for the analysis.
1.4 The test method for technetium-99 is given in Annex 5. Apparatus
A1.
5.1 ICP-MS, controlled by computer and fitted with the
associated software and peripherals. May be fitted with cold
2. Referenced Documents
plasma option.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2 Autosampler, with tube racks and disposable plastic
C753 Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium
sample tubes compatible with 5.1 (optional).
Dioxide Powder
5.3 Variable Micropipettes:
C776 Specification for Sintered Uranium Dioxide Pellets
5.3.1 10 µL to 100 µL capacity.
5.3.2 100 µL to 1000 µL capacity.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeC26onNuclear
Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.05 on Methods of
3
Test. “ICP-MSVersus Conventional Methods for theAnalysis ofTrace Impurities in
Current edition approved July 10, 2003. Published August 2003. Originally Nuclear Fuel,” by Allenby, P., Clarkson, A. S., Makinson, P. R., presented at 2nd
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as C1287–95(2001). Surrey Conference on Plasma Source Mass Spectrometry, Guildford, UK, July
DOI: 10.1520/C1287-03. 1987.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or “Trace Metals in NBL Uranium Standard CRM 124 Using ICP-MS,” by
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Aldridge, A. J., Clarkson, A. S., Makinson, P. R., Dawson, K. W., presented at 1st
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Durham International Conference on Plasma Source Mass Spectrometry, Durham,
the ASTM website. UK, September 1988.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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C1287–03
TABLE 1 Reporting Limits of Impurity Elements
Lower Upper
Mass Analyte Reporting Reporting
NOTE 1—The impurity elements were determined in 0.2% uranium Analyte Technique
Used Group Limit
...