4.1 Gadolinium oxide powder is used, with subsequent processing, in nuclear fuel applications, such as an addition to uranium dioxide. These test methods are designed to determine whether the material meets the requirements described in Specification C888.

4.1.1 The material is analyzed to determine whether it contains the minimum gadolinium oxide content specified.

4.1.2 The loss on ignition and impurity content are determined to ensure that the weight loss and the maximum concentration limit of specified impurity elements are not exceeded.

1.1 These test methods cover procedures for the chemical and mass spectrometric analysis of nuclear-grade gadolinium oxide powders to determine compliance with specifications.

1.2 The analytical procedures appear in the following order:

Sections

Carbon by Direct Combustion—Thermal Conductivity

2

C1408 Test Method for Carbon (Total) in Uranium Oxide
 Powders and Pellets By Direct Combustion-Infrared
 Detection Method

3

Total Chlorine and Fluorine by Pyrohydrolysis Ion—
 Selective Electrode

4

C1502 Test Method for Determination of Total Chlorine and
 Fluorine in Uranium Dioxide and Gadolinium Oxide

3

Loss of Weight on Ignition

8 – 14

Sulfur by Combustion—Iodometric Titration

5

Impurity Elements by a Spark-Source Mass Spectrographic
 Method

 C761 Test Methods for Chemical, Mass Spectrometric,
 Spectrochemical, Nuclear, and Radiochemical Analysis of
 Uranium Hexafluoride

3

 C1287 Test Method for Determination of Impurities in
 Nuclear Grade Uranium Compounds by Inductively
 Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

3

Gadolinium Content in Gadolinium Oxide by Impurity
 Correction Method

15 – 18

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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 6.

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.