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Title: Physical characterization of uranium oxide pellets and powder applied in the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group Collaborative Materials Exercise 4

Journal Article · · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
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  1. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Kirrawee, DC (Australia)
  2. French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Is-Sur-Tille (France)
  3. AWE, Reading (United Kingdom)
  4. Canadian Nuclear Labs., Chalk River (Canada)
  5. Royal Military College of Canada, Station Forces Kingston (Canada)
  6. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Physical characterization is one of the most broad and important categories of techniques to apply in a nuclear forensic examination. Physical characterization techniques vary from simple weighing and dimensional measurements to complex sample preparation and scanning electron microscopy-electron backscatter diffraction analysis. This paper reports on the physical characterization conducted by several international laboratories participating in the fourth Collaborative Materials Exercise, organized by the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group. Methods include a range of physical measurements, microscopy-based observations, and profilometry. In conclusion, the value of these results for addressing key investigative questions concerning two uranium dioxide pellets and a uranium dioxide powder is discussed.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
1420293
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-745481; TRN: US1801482
Journal Information:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 315, Issue 2; ISSN 0236-5731
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 2 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (7)

Density of porous solids journal May 1973
State of practice and emerging application of analytical techniques of nuclear forensic analysis: highlights from the 4th Collaborative Materials Exercise of the Nuclear Forensics International Technical Working Group (ITWG) journal September 2016
Nuclear forensics—a methodology providing clues on the origin of illicitly trafficked nuclear materials journal January 2005
In situ investigation of U(IV)-oxide surface dissolution and remineralization by electrochemical AFM journal October 2003
A new model of grain growth kinetics in UO2 fuel pellets. Part 2: Normal grain growth kinetics controlled by pore migration journal November 2005
Nuclear forensic investigations: Two case studies journal January 2006
Processing and microstructural characterisation of a UO2-based ceramic for disposal studies on spent AGR fuel journal January 2015

Figures / Tables (21)

Table 1(p. 9)table Table 1
Table 2(p. 9)table Table 2
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Table 6(p. 22)table Table 6
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Table 7(p. 23)table Table 7
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Table 8(p. 25)table Table 8

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND RUEL MATERIALS
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
SAFEGUARDS AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
Nuclear forensics
Physical characterization
Uranium
Scanning electron microscopy