Significance and Use
4.1 The materials covered that must meet ASTM specifications are uranium metal and uranium oxide.
4.2 Uranium materials are used as nuclear reactor fuel. For this use, these materials must meet certain criteria for uranium content, uranium-235 enrichment, and impurity content, as described in Specifications C753 and C776. The material is assayed for uranium to determine whether the content is as specified.
4.3 Uranium alloys, refractory uranium materials, and uranium containing scrap and ash are unique uranium materials for which the user must determine the applicability of this practice. In general, these unique uranium materials are dissolved with various acid mixtures or by fusion with various fluxes.
Scope
1.1 This practice covers dissolution treatments for uranium materials that are applicable to the test methods used for characterizing these materials for uranium elemental, isotopic, and impurities determinations. Dissolution treatments for the major uranium materials assayed for uranium or analyzed for other components are listed.
1.2 The treatments, in order of presentation, are as follows:
Procedure Title
Section
Dissolution of Uranium Metal and Oxide with Nitric Acid
8.1
Dissolution of Uranium Oxides with Nitric Acid and Residue
Treatment
8.2
Dissolution of Uranium-Aluminum Alloys in Hydrochloric Acid
with Residue Treatment
8.3
Dissolution of Uranium Scrap and Ash by Leaching with Nitric
Acid and Treatment of Residue by Carbonate Fusion
8.4
Dissolution of Refractory Uranium-Containing Material by
Carbonate Fusion
8.5
Dissolution of Uranium—Aluminum Alloys
Uranium Scrap and Ash, and Refractory
Uranium-Containing Materials by
Microwave Treatment
8.6
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. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 7.