ASTM C784-05(2012)

Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide-Boron Carbide Composite Pellets

ABSTRACT
This specification applies to composite pellets composed of mixtures of nuclear-grade aluminum oxide and boron carbide that may be ultimately used in a reactor core, for example, in neutron absorber rods. Specimens shall be sampled and tested as appropriate, and shall adhere accordingly to required chemical compositions, physical dimensions, density, boron carbide homogeneity, mechanical properties, visual appearance, end and circumferential chips, cracks, and fissures and other defects.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification applies to pellets composed of mixtures of aluminum oxide and boron carbide that may be ultimately used in a reactor core, for example, in neutron absorber rods.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2011
• ICS: 27.120.30 - Fissile materials and nuclear fuel technology
• ICS: 71.060.50 - Salts
• Technical Committee: C26 - Nuclear Fuel Cycle
• Drafting Committee: C26.03 - Neutron Absorber Materials Specifications

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM C784-05 - Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide-Boron Carbide Composite Pellets
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2012
• Replaced By: ASTM C784-16 - Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide-Boron Carbide Composite Pellets
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2016
• Referred By: ASTM C809-19 - Standard Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide and Aluminum<brk/>Oxide-Boron Carbide Composite Pellets
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2012

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:C784 −05(Reapproved 2012)
Standard Specification for
Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide-Boron Carbide Composite
Pellets
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C784; 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 2.3 Government Standard:
Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Energy Part 50
1.1 This specification applies to pellets composed of mix-
(10CFR50), Domestic Licensing of Production and Utili-
tures of aluminum oxide and boron carbide that may be 4
zation Facilities
ultimately used in a reactor core, for example, in neutron
absorber rods. 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.1.1 Terms shall be defined in accordance with Terminol-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
ogy C859 except for the following:
only.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 buyer—organization issuing the purchase order.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.2 pellet—a fabricated geometric shape of aluminum
2.1 ASTM Standards:
oxide-boron carbide having a chemical composition as de-
C559 Test Method for Bulk Density by Physical Measure-
scribed in Section 4.
ments of Manufactured Carbon and Graphite Articles
3.2.3 pellet lot—that quantity of pellets produced from one
C750 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Boron Carbide Pow-
powder mixture lot using one set of mixing and process
der
parameters. Pellet lot size shall be agreed upon between the
C809 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric, and
seller and the buyer.
Spectrochemical Analysis of Nuclear-Grade Aluminum
3.2.4 powder mixture lot—a specified quantity of aluminum
Oxide and AluminumOxide-Boron Carbide Composite
oxide and boron carbide made up of powders from one or more
Pellets
sourcesblendedtogethersuchthatsamplestakeninaccordance
C859 Terminology Relating to Nuclear Materials
with Section 7 can be considered as representative of the entire
C1031 Specification for Nuclear-Grade Aluminum Oxide
specified quantity.
Powder
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test 3.2.5 seller—pellet supplier.
Sieves
4. Technical Requirements
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
4.1 Major Constituents—Aluminum oxide-boron carbide
2.2 ANSI Standard:
pellets shall be fabricated using major constituents that meet
ANSI/ASME NQA-1 Quality Assurance Program Require-
the requirements of Specifications C750 and C1031.
ments for Nuclear Facilities
4.2 Chemical Composition:
4.2.1 Use analytical chemistry methods in accordance with
Methods C809 or demonstrated alternate methods agreed upon
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C26 on
between the buyer and the seller.
Nuclear Fuel Cycle and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C26.03 on
Neutron Absorber Materials Specifications. 4.2.2 The finished pellets shall conform to the following
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2012. Published January 2012. Originally
chemical analysis:
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as C784 – 05. DOI:
Si 2.0 weight % max
10.1520/C0784-05R12.
Fe + Cr + Ni 0.6 weight % max
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Mg 1.0 weight % max
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
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Floor, New York, NY 10036. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
C784−05 (2012)
5.3.4 Particle size limits of boron carbide particles shall be
Na 0.2 weight % maxs
Ca 0.3 weight % max
specified by the buyer in accordance with his particular
Hf 200 µg/g pellet max
application.
F 50 µg/g pellet max
F + Cl + I + Br 100 µg/g pellet max
5.4 Mechanical Properties—Required mechanical proper-
Gd 25 µg/g pellet max
ties and test methods shall be mutually agreed upon between
Sm 50 µg/g pellet max
Eu 50 µg/g pellet max
the buyer and the seller.
Dy 50 µg/g pellet max
5.5 Visual Appearance—Visual examination shall be con-
Any elemental impurity not listed in 4.2.2 shall not exceed 1
ducted on finished pellets in accordance with Section 7. The
weight % as determined by emission spectroscopy. The sum of
seller and the buyer shall agree on visual standards as repre-
all impurities shall not exceed 4.0 weight %. A water-soluble
senting the requirements of 5.5.1, 5.5.2, and 5.5.3. These
boron limit may be required in certain designs in which case it
standards shall be used as acceptance standards for the visual
shall be determined on a sample crushed to pass through a No.
examination of the pellets. The method of defect measurement
100 mesh (150-µm) U.S. standard sieve (see Specification
shall be approved by the buyer prior to use. Maximum
E11.)
permissible defects are defined as follows:
4.2.3 Shouldelementsnotlistedin4.2.2beofconcern,their
5.5.1 End Chips—Pellet end surface shall not be chipped
inclusion in the listing shall be mutually agreed upon between
beyond 10 % of the end-face surface area and no chip shall
the buyer and the seller.
exceed 1.0 mm (0.040 in.) in depth.
4.2.4 In specifying the allowable range in B concentration
5.5.2 Circumferential Chips—Pellet circumferential sur-
the buyer shall consider the following:
faces shall not be chipped beyond 5 % of the circumferential
4.2.4.1 Variations in chemical composition,
surface area. No single chip shall exceed a depth of 1.0 mm
4.2.4.2 Bulk pellet density,
(0.040 in.).
4.2.4.3 Boron isotopic composition, 5.5.3 Cracks—No single crack sh
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