NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF MTR TYPE FUEL PLATES BY X-RAY ABSORPTION AND FLUORESCENCE TECHNIQUES
Instumentation and techniques are described for nondestructive analysis of flat reactor fuel plates consisting of a 20-mil core of plutonium-aluminum alloy covered on both sides by 20 mils of aluminum. Thicksess of 11 wt.% and of 14 wt.% plutonium-aluminum cores (which can also be expressed as fuel density in mg/cm2) was measured by absorption of polychromatic x rays in the range 0.010 to 0.030 in. with a sensitivity of plus or minus 0.0002 in. Every feel plate prepared for the power loading was tested with the x-ray photometer. This method proved to be definitely superior in sensitivity, precision, and speed to the other nondestructive testing methods which had been tried A 24-in. plate can be scanned in two minutes with the prototype photometer. An improved instrument, which can automatically scan fuel plates in either a linear or zig-zag pattern, was designed. X-ray fluorescence was used to measure aluminum cladding thickness over plutonium or uranium alloy cores. Precision (of plus or minus 0.00025 to plus or minus 0.00075 in. of aluminum) is discussed in terms of cladding thickness, apertare size, and counting time. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-52
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-004242
- OSTI ID:
- 4284987
- Report Number(s):
- HW-57941
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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