ASTM C 696 : 1999 : R2005

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical, mass spectrometric, and spectrochemical analysis of nuclear-grade uranium dioxide powders and pellets to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 This test method covers the determination of uranium and the oxygen to uranium atomic ratio in nuclear-grade uranium dioxide powder and pellets.

1.4 This test method covers the determination of chlorine and fluorine in nuclear-grade uranium dioxide. With a 1 to 10-g sample, concentrations of 5 to 200 g/g of chlorine and 1 to 200 μg/g of fluorine are determined without interference.

1.5 This test method covers the determination of moisture in uranium dioxide samples. Detection limits are as low as 10 μg.

1.6 This test method covers the determination of nitride nitrogen in uranium dioxide in the range from 10 to 250 μg.

1.7 This test method covers the spectrographic analysis of nuclear-grade UO2 for the 26 elements in the ranges indicated in Table 2.

1.8 For simultaneous determination of trace elements by plasma emission spectroscopy refer to Test Method C 761.

1.9 This test method covers the spectrochemical determination of silver in nuclear-grade uranium dioxide. The relative standard deviation is 15 % for the concentration range of 0.1 to 50 μg/g.

1.10 This procedure is designed for a rapid determination of surface area of nuclear-grade uranium dioxide (UO2) powders. The determination of surface area by this procedure is automatic, simple, and fast enough to be used in quality control work. The range of analysis is from 1 to 1500 m²/g.

1.11 This test method covers the determination of hydrogen over the range from 0.05 to 100 μg of hydrogen (H2) in uranium dioxide UO2 pellets by inert gas fusion.