ASTM C1030-10 PDF

1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of isotopic abundances in isotopically homogeneous plutonium-bearing materials. This test method may be applicable to other plutonium-bearing materials, some of which may require modifications to the described test method.

1.2 The procedure is applicable to items containing plutonium masses ranging from a few tens of milligrams up to the maximum plutonium mass allowed by criticality limits.

1.3 Measurable gamma ray emissions from plutonium cover the energy range from approximately 30 keV to above 800 keV. K-X-ray emissions from plutonium and its daughters are found in the region around 100 keV. This test method has been applied to all portions of this broad spectrum of emissions.

1.4 The isotopic abundance of the 242Pu isotope is not directly determined because it has no useful gamma-ray signature. Isotopic correlation techniques may be used to estimate its relative abundance Refs (1) and (2).

1.5 This test method has been demonstrated in routine use for isotopic abundances ranging from 99 to