ASTM International Standard Specification for Nuclear-Grade, Sinterable Uranium Dioxide Powder ASTM C753-16a

This specification covers nuclear-grade, sinterable uranium dioxide (UO2) powder and applies to uranium dioxide powder containing uranium of any 235U concentration in the production of nuclear fuel pellets for use in nuclear reactors. This specification refers expressly to calcined UO2 powder before the addition of any die lubricant, binder, or pore former, and defines isotopic limits for commercial grade UO2 so that, regarding fuel design and manufacture, the product is essentially equivalent to that made from unreprocessed uranium and. Provisions for preventing criticality accidents or requirements for health and safety are not included in this specification. The powder shall conform to the specified chemical requirements including uranium content, oxygen-to-uranium ratio, impurity content (such as aluminum, carbon, calcium and magnesium, chlorine, fluorine, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon, tantalum, thorium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and zinc), moisture content, isotopic content, equivalent boron content, and cleanliness and workmanship. The powder shall also meet the specified physical requirements including particle size, bulk density, and sinterability. Sampling requirements for the test specimen and the test methods for chemical analysis and acceptance testing are detailed.