E10 - Nuclear Technology and Applications
To promote the advancement of nuclear science and technology and the safe application of energy by: 1) Standardizing measurement techniques and specifications for radiation effects and dosimetry including materials response, instrument response, and fuel burnup. 2) Standardizing the nomenclature and definitions used in or relating to testing methods or instruments in support of nuclear industry. 3) Maintaining a broad expertise in application of nuclear science and technology especially the measurement of radiation effects from environments of nuclear reactor, particle accelerators, indigenous space, spacecraft, and radionuclides. 4) Maintaining a broad expertise in the applications of radionuclides. 5) Sponsoring scientific and technical symposia and publications in the Committee's fields of specialization. 6) Performing liaison with related ASTM committees and other technical societies and organizations, both national and international. Advising other technical committees of the Society in our field of expertise.
Nuclear Technology and Applications
To promote the advancement of nuclear science and technology and the safe application of energy by: 1) Standardizing measurement techniques and specifications for radiation effects and dosimetry including materials response, instrument response, and fuel burnup. 2) Standardizing the nomenclature and definitions used in or relating to testing methods or instruments in support of nuclear industry. 3) Maintaining a broad expertise in application of nuclear science and technology especially the measurement of radiation effects from environments of nuclear reactor, particle accelerators, indigenous space, spacecraft, and radionuclides. 4) Maintaining a broad expertise in the applications of radionuclides. 5) Sponsoring scientific and technical symposia and publications in the Committee's fields of specialization. 6) Performing liaison with related ASTM committees and other technical societies and organizations, both national and international. Advising other technical committees of the Society in our field of expertise.
General Information
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Flash X-ray facilities provide intense bremsstrahlung radiation environments, usually in a single sub-microsecond pulse, which often fluctuates in amplitude, shape, and spectrum from shot to shot. Therefore, appropriate dosimetry must be fielded on every exposure to characterize the environment, see ICRU Report 34. These intense bremsstrahlung sources have a variety of applications which include the following:
(1) Studies of the effects of X-rays and gamma rays on materials.
(2) Studies of the effects of radiation on electronic devices such as transistors, diodes, and capacitors.
(3) Computer code validation studies.
4.2 This guide is written to assist the experimenter in selecting the needed dosimetry systems for use at pulsed X-ray facilities. This guide also provides a brief summary on how to use each of the dosimetry systems. Other guides (see Section 2) provide more detailed information on selected dosimetry systems in radiation environments and should be consulted after an initial decision is made on the appropriate dosimetry system to use. There are many key parameters which describe a flash X-ray source, such as dose, dose rate, spectrum, pulse width, etc., such that typically no single dosimetry system can measure all the parameters simultaneously. However, it is frequently the case that not all key parameters must be measured in a given experiment.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides assistance in selecting and using dosimetry systems in flash X-ray experiments. Both dose and dose rate techniques are described.
1.2 Operating characteristics of flash X-ray sources are given, with emphasis on the spectrum of the photon output.
1.3 Assistance is provided to relate the measured dose to the response of a device under test (DUT). The device is assumed to be a semiconductor electronic part or system.
1.4 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.
- Guide19 pagesEnglish language
- Guide19 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Electronic circuits used in many space, military, and nuclear power systems may be exposed to various levels and time profiles of neutron radiation. It is essential for the design and fabrication of such circuits that test methods be available that can determine the vulnerability or hardness (measure of survivability) of components to be used in them. A determination of hardness is often necessary for the short term (≈100 μs) as well as long term (permanent damage) following exposure. See Practice E722.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide defines the requirements and procedures for testing silicon discrete semiconductor devices and integrated circuits for rapid annealing effects from displacement damage resulting from neutron radiation. This test will produce degradation of the electrical properties of the irradiated devices and should be considered a destructive test. Rapid annealing of displacement damage is usually associated with bipolar technologies.
1.1.1 Heavy ion beams can also be used to characterize displacement damage annealing (1),2 but ion beams have significant complications in the interpretation of the resulting device behavior due to the associated ionizing dose. The use of pulsed ion beams as a source of displacement damage is not within the scope of this standard.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Guide7 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 High levels of antimony are commonly used in flame retardant formulations for various materials. NAA is a test method that can be useful for verifying these levels and, for other materials, NAA can also be useful in establishing the amount of low level contamination, if any, with high sensitivity and high precision.
5.2 Neutron activation analysis provides a rapid, highly sensitive, nondestructive procedure for antimony determination in a wide range of matrices. This test method is independent of the chemical form of the antimony.
5.3 This test method can be used for quality and process control in the petrochemical and other manufacturing industries, and for research purposes in a broad spectrum of applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of antimony concentration in plastics or other hydrocarbon or organic matrix by using neutron activation analysis (NAA). The sample is activated by irradiation with neutrons from a research reactor and the subsequently emitted gamma-rays are detected with a germanium semiconductor detector. The same system may be used to determine antimony concentrations ranging from 1 ng/g to 10 000 μg/g with the lower end of the range limited by numerous interferences and the upper limit established by the demonstrated practical application of NAA.
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size and shape during irradiation and counting to a standard sample of known antimony content using very simple sample preparation. Several variants of this method have been described in the technical literature. A monograph is available which provides a comprehensive description of the principles of neutron activation analysis using reactor neutrons (1).2
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. Specific precautions are given in Section 9.
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.
- Standard9 pagesEnglish language
- Standard9 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The practice contained herein can be used as a basis for establishing conditions for the safe operation of critical structural components. The practices provide for general plant assessment and verification that materials continue meet design criteria and may in addition be of use for asset protection or life extension. The test specimens and procedures presented in this practice are for guidance when establishing a surveillance program.
4.2 This practice for high-temperature materials surveillance programs is used when nuclear reactor component materials are monitored by specimen testing. Periodic testing is performed through the service life of the components to assess changes in selected material properties that are caused by neutron irradiation, thermal effects, chemical reactions, and mechanical stress. The properties of interest are those used as design criteria for the respective nuclear components or well correlated to said criteria (see 5.1.6). The need for surveillance arises from the need to assess predictions of aging material performance to ensure adequate component performance.
4.3 This practice describes specimens and procedures required for the surveillance of multiple components. A surveillance program for a particular component will not necessarily require all test types described herein.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for surveillance program design and specimen testing to establish changes occurring in the mechanical properties of ferrous and nickel-based materials due to irradiation and thermal effects of nuclear component metallic materials used for high-temperature structural applications above 370 °C (700 °F). This should include consideration of gamma heating. This practice currently only applies to an initial program based on initial estimates of design life of components.
1.2 This practice was developed for non-light-water moderated nuclear power reactors.
1.3 This practice does not provide specific procedures for extending surveillance programs beyond their original design lifetimes.
1.4 This practice does not consider in-situ monitoring techniques but may provide insights into the proper periodicity and design of such.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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.
1.7 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.
- Standard6 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Regulatory Requirements—The USA Code of Federal Regulations (10CFR Part 50, Appendix H) requires the implementation of a reactor vessel materials surveillance program for all operating LWRs. Other countries have similar regulations. The purpose of the program is to (1) monitor changes in the fracture toughness properties of ferritic materials in the reactor vessel beltline6 resulting from exposure to neutron irradiation and the thermal environment, and (2) make use of the data obtained from surveillance programs to determine the conditions under which the vessel can be operated with adequate margins of safety throughout its service life. Practice E185, derived mechanical property data, and (r, θ, z) physics-dosimetry data (derived from the calculations and reactor cavity and surveillance capsule measurements (1) using physics-dosimetry standards) can be used together with information in Guide E900 and Refs. 4, 11-18 to provide a relation between property degradation and neutron exposure, commonly called a “trend curve.” To obtain this trend curve at all points in the pressure vessel wall requires that the selected trend curve be used together with the appropriate (r, θ, z) neutron field information derived by use of this guide to accomplish the necessary interpolations and extrapolations in space and time.
4.2 Neutron Field Characterization—The tasks required to satisfy the second part of the objective of 4.1 are complex and are summarized in Practice E853. In doing this, it is necessary to describe the neutron field at selected (r, θ, z) points within the pressure vessel wall. The description can be either time dependent or time averaged over the reactor service period of interest. This description can best be obtained by combining neutron transport calculations with plant measurements such as reactor cavity (ex-vessel) and surveillance capsule or RPV cladding (in-vessel) measurements, benchmark irradiations of dosimeter sensor materials, and knowledge of th...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide establishes the means and frequency of monitoring the neutron exposure of the LWR reactor pressure vessel throughout its operating life.
1.2 The physics-dosimetry relationships determined from this guide may be used to estimate reactor pressure vessel damage through the application of Practice E693 and Guide E900, using fast neutron fluence (E > 1.0 MeV and E > 0.1 MeV), displacements per atom (dpa), or damage-function-correlated exposure parameters as independent exposure variables. Supporting the application of these standards are the E853, E944, E1005, and E1018 standards, identified in 2.1.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Guide12 pagesEnglish language
- Guide12 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The objectives of a reactor vessel surveillance program are twofold. The first requirement of the program is to monitor changes in the fracture toughness properties of ferritic materials in the reactor vessel beltline region resulting from exposure to neutron irradiation and the thermal environment. The second requirement is to make use of the data obtained from the surveillance program to determine the conditions under which the vessel can be operated throughout its service life.
3.1.1 To satisfy the first requirement of 3.1, the tasks to be carried out are straightforward. Each of the irradiation capsules that comprise the surveillance program may be treated as a separate experiment. The goal is to define and carry to completion a dosimetry program that will, a posteriori, describe the neutron field to which the material test specimens were exposed. The resultant information will then become part of a database applicable in a stricter sense to the specific plant from which the capsule was removed, but also in a broader sense to the industry as a whole.
3.1.2 To satisfy the second requirement of 3.1, the tasks to be carried out are somewhat complex. The objective is to describe accurately the neutron field to which the pressure vessel itself will be exposed over its service life. This description of the neutron field must include spatial gradients within the vessel wall. Therefore, heavy emphasis must be placed on the use of neutron transport techniques as well as on the choice of a design basis for the computations. Since a given surveillance capsule measurement, particularly one obtained early in plant life, is not necessarily representative of long-term reactor operation, a simple normalization of neutron transport calculations to dosimetry data from a given capsule may not be appropriate (1-67).
3.2 The objectives and requirements of a reactor vessel's support structure's surveillance program are much less stringent, and at present, are limited to ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the methodology, summarized in Annex A1, to be used in the analysis and interpretation of neutron exposure data obtained from LWR pressure vessel surveillance programs and, based on the results of that analysis, establishes a formalism to be used to evaluate present and future condition of the pressure vessel and its support structures2 (1-74).3
1.2 This practice relies on, and ties together, the application of several supporting ASTM standard practices, guides, and methods (see Master Matrix E706) (1, 5, 13, 48, 49).2 In order to make this practice at least partially self-contained, a moderate amount of discussion is provided in areas relating to ASTM and other documents. Support subject areas that are discussed include reactor physics calculations, dosimeter selection and analysis, and exposure units.
1.3 This practice is restricted to direct applications related to surveillance programs that are established in support of the operation, licensing, and regulation of LWR nuclear power plants. Procedures and data related to the analysis, interpretation, and application of test reactor results are addressed in Practice E1006, Guide E900, and Practice E1035.
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.
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.
- Standard9 pagesEnglish language
- Standard9 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A characteristic advantage of charged-particle irradiation experiments is the precise, individual control over most of the important irradiation conditions such as dose, dose rate, temperature, and quantity of gases present. Additional attributes are the lack of induced radioactivation of specimens and, in general, a substantial compression of irradiation time, from years to hours, to achieve comparable damage as measured in displacements per atom (dpa). An important application of such experiments is the investigation of radiation effects that may occur in materials exposed to environments which do not currently exist, such as in first wall materials used in fusion reactors.
4.2 The primary shortcoming of ion bombardments stems from the damage rate, or temperature dependences of the microstructural evolutionary processes in complex alloys, or both. It cannot be assumed that the time scale for damage evolution can be comparably compressed for all processes by increasing the displacement rate, even with a corresponding shift in irradiation temperature. In addition, the confinement of damage production to a thin layer just (often ∼1 μm) below the irradiated surface can present substantial complications. It must be emphasized, therefore, that these experiments and this practice are intended for research purposes and not for the certification or the qualification of materials.
4.3 This practice relates to the generation of irradiation-induced changes in the microstructure of metals and alloys using charged particles. The investigation of mechanical behavior using charged particles is covered in Practice E821.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides guidance on performing charged-particle irradiations of metals and alloys, although many of the methods may also be applied to ceramic materials. It is generally confined to studies of microstructural and microchemical changes induced by ions of low-penetrating power that come to rest in the specimen. Density changes can be measured directly and changes in other properties can be inferred. This information can be used to estimate similar changes that would result from neutron irradiation. More generally, this information is of value in deducing the fundamental mechanisms of radiation damage for a wide range of materials and irradiation conditions.
1.2 Where it appears, the word “simulation” should be understood to imply an approximation of the relevant neutron irradiation environment for the purpose of elucidating damage mechanisms. The degree of conformity can range from poor to nearly exact. The intent is to produce a correspondence between one or more aspects of the neutron and charged-particle irradiations such that fundamental relationships are established between irradiation or material parameters and the material response.
1.3 The practice appears as follows:
Section
Apparatus
4
Specimen Preparation
5 – 10
Irradiation Techniques (including Helium Injection)
11 – 12
Damage Calculations
13
Postirradiation Examination
14 – 16
Reporting of Results
17
Correlation and Interpretation
18 – 22
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Standard22 pagesEnglish language
- Standard22 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Refer to Guide E844 for the selection, irradiation, and quality control of neutron dosimeters.
5.2 Refer to Practice E261 for a general discussion of the determination of fast-neutron fluence rate with threshold detectors.
5.3 Pure aluminum in the form of foil or wire is readily available and easily handled. 27Al has an abundance of 100 % (1).3
5.4 24Na has a half-life of 14.958 (2)4 h (2) and emits gamma rays with energies of 1.368630 (5) and 2.754049 (13) MeV (2).
5.5 Fig. 1 shows a plot of the International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File (IRDFF-II) cross section (3, 4) versus neutron energy for the fast-neutron reaction 27Al(n,α) 24Na (3) along with a comparison to the current experimental database (5, 6). While the RRDF-2008 and IRDFF-1.05 cross sections extend from threshold up to 60 MeV, due to considerations of the available validation data, the energy region over which this standard recommends use of this cross section for reactor dosimetry applications only extends from threshold at ~4.25 MeV up to 20 MeV. This figure is for illustrative purposes and is used to indicate the range of response of the 27Al(n,α) reaction. Refer to Guide E1018 for recommended sources for the tabulated dosimetry cross sections.
FIG. 1 27Al(n,α)24Na Cross Section, from IRDFF-II Library, with EXFOR Experimental Data
5.6 Two competing activities, 28Al (2.25 (2) minute half-life) and 27Mg (9.458 (12) minute half-life), are formed in the reactions 27Al(n,γ)28Al and 27Al(n,p)27Mg, respectively, but these can be eliminated by waiting 2 h before counting.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures measuring reaction rates by the activation reaction 27Al(n,α)24Na.
1.2 This activation reaction is useful for measuring neutrons with energies above approximately 6.5 MeV and for irradiation times up to about two days (for longer irradiations, or when there are significant variations in reactor power during the irradiation, see Practice E261).
1.3 With suitable techniques, fission-neutron fluence rates above 106 cm−2·s−1 can be determined.
1.4 Detailed procedures for other fast neutron detectors are referenced in Practice E261.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Standard4 pagesEnglish language
- Standard4 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Prediction of neutron radiation effects to pressure vessel steels has long been a part of the design and operation of light water reactor power plants. Both the federal regulatory agencies (see 2.3) and national standards groups (see 2.1 and 2.2) have promulgated regulations and standards to ensure safe operation of these vessels. The support structures for pressurized water reactor vessels may also be subject to similar neutron radiation effects (1, 3-6).2 The objective of this practice is to provide guidelines for determining the neutron radiation exposures experienced by individual vessel supports.
3.2 It is known that high-energy photons can also produce displacement damage effects that may be similar to those produced by neutrons. These effects are known to be much less at the belt line of a light water reactor pressure vessel than those induced by neutrons. The same has not been proven for all locations within vessel support structures. Therefore, it may be prudent to apply coupled neutron-photon transport methods and photon-induced displacement cross sections to determine whether gamma-induced dpa exceeds the screening level of 3.0 × 10–4 used in this practice for neutron exposures. (See 1.3.)
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for monitoring the neutron radiation exposures experienced by ferritic materials in nuclear reactor vessel support structures located in the vicinity of the active core. This practice includes guidelines for:
1.1.1 Selecting appropriate dosimetric sensor sets and their proper installation in reactor cavities.
1.1.2 Making appropriate neutronics calculations to predict neutron radiation exposures.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard; units that are not SI can be found in Terminology E170 and are to be regarded as standard. Any values in parentheses are for information only.
1.3 This practice is applicable to all pressurized water reactors whose vessel supports will experience a lifetime neutron fluence (E > 1 MeV) that exceeds 1 × 1017 neutrons/cm2 or exceeds 3.0 × 10−4 dpa (1).2 (See Terminology E170.)
1.4 Exposure of vessel support structures by gamma radiation is not included in the scope of this practice, but see the brief discussion of this issue in 3.2.
1.5 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 example, (2).)
1.6 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.
- Standard3 pagesEnglish language
ABSTRACT
This specification prescribes the performance criteria for non-removable permanent coatings and fixatives as a long-term measure used to immobilize radioactive contamination, minimize worker exposure, and protect uncontaminated areas against the spread of radioactive contamination. It covers the minimum performance requirements (shelf life, adhesion, abrasion resistance, dry/cure time, decontamination factor, airborne release fraction, respirable fraction, radiation resistance) as well as the mechanical and chemical properties for permanent coatings that are intended to immobilize dispersible radioactive contamination deposited on buildings and equipment as might result from anticipated to unanticipated events to include normal operating conditions, decommissioning, and radiological release. The coating is intended to reduce: migration of the contamination into or along buildings, equipment, and other surfaces; resuspension of contamination into the air; and the spread of contamination as a result of external forces such as pedestrian traffic. It shall: be applicable to both vertical and horizontal surfaces; work within a range of environmental and radiological conditions; and be applicable to both porous and nonporous materials such as concrete, wood, metal, ceramics, and plastics. Furthermore, the coating may include constituents that will physically or chemically bind and hold radioactive contamination.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification is intended to provide a basis for identification of non-removable permanent coatings and fixatives as a long-term measure used to immobilize radioactive contamination, minimize worker exposure, and to protect uncontaminated areas against the spread of radioactive contamination.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Technical specification3 pagesEnglish language
ABSTRACT
This specification prescribes the performance criteria for strippable/removable coatings used in immobilizing radioactive contamination, minimizing worker exposure, and facilitating subsequent decontamination or protecting uncontaminated areas against the spread of radioactive contamination. It covers the minimum performance requirements (shelf life, tensile strength, adhesion, abrasion resistance, dry/cure time, decontamination factor, airborne release fraction) as well as the mechanical and chemical properties for strippable/removable coatings. The strippable/removable coating is intended to reduce: migration of the radioactive contamination into or along buildings, equipment, and other surfaces; resuspension of contamination into the air and the airborne intake hazards of the contamination; and the spread of contamination as a result of external forces such as pedestrian traffic. The strippable/removable coating shall: be applicable to both vertical and horizontal surfaces; work within a range of environmental and radiological conditions; and be readily applied to both porous and nonporous materials such as concrete, wood, metal, ceramics, and plastics. Furthermore, the strippable/removable coating may include constituents that will physically or chemically bind and immobilize radioactive contamination.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification is intended to provide a basis for identification of strippable/removable materials used to immobilize radioactive contamination, minimize worker exposure, and facilitate subsequent decontamination or to protect uncontaminated areas against the spread of radioactive contamination.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Technical specification3 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This practice uses one monitor (cobalt) with a nearly 1/v absorption cross-section curve and a second monitor (silver) with a large resonance peak so that its resonance integral is large compared to its thermal cross section. The pertinent data for these two reactions are given in Table 1. The equations are based on the Westcott formalism ((2, 3) and Practice E261) and determine a Westcott 2200 m/s neutron fluence rate nv0 and the Westcott epithermal index parameter . References (4-6) contain a general discussion of the two-reaction test method. In this practice, the absolute activities of both cobalt and silver monitors are determined. This differs from the test method in the references wherein only one absolute activity is determined. (A) The numbers in parentheses following given values are the uncertainty in the last digit(s) of the value; 0.729 (8) means 0.729 ± 0.008, 70.8(1) means 70.8 ± 0.1.(B) The decay constant, λ, is defined as ln(2) / t1/2 with units of sec–1, where t1/2 is the nuclide half-life in seconds.(C) Calculated using Eq 10.(D) In Fig. 1, Θ = 4ErkT/AΓ2 = 0.2 corresponds to the value for 109Ag for T = 293 K, ∑r = N0σr,max,T=0Kσr,max,T=0K = 31138.03 barn at 5.19 eV (13). The value of σr,max,T=0K = 31138.03 barns is calculated using the Breit-Wigner single-level resonance formula where the 109Ag atomic mass is A = 108.9047558 amu (14), the ENDF/B-VIII.0 (MAT = 4731) (13) resonance parameters are: resonance total width Γ = 0.1427333 eV, formation neutron width Γn = 0.0127333 eV, and radiative/decay width Γγ = 0.13 eV, with a resonance spin J=1, and the statistical spin factor where s1 = 1/2 and s2 = 1/2 are the spins of the two particles (neutron and 109Ag ground state (15)) forming resonance.
3.2 The advantages of this approach are the elimination of four difficulties associated with the use of cadmium: (1) the perturbation of the field by the cadmium; (2) the inexact cadmium cut-off energy; (3) the low melting temperature of cadmium; a...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers a suitable means of obtaining the thermal neutron fluence rate, or fluence, in nuclear reactor environments where the use of cadmium, as a thermal neutron shield as described in Test Method E262, is undesirable for reasons such as potential spectrum perturbations or due to temperatures above the melting point of cadmium.
1.2 The reaction 59Co(n,γ )60Co results in a well-defined gamma emitter having a half-life of 5.2711 years2 (8)3 (1).4 The reaction 109Ag(n,γ)110mAg results in a nuclide with a well-known, complex decay scheme with a half-life of 249.78 (2) days (1). Both cobalt and silver are available either in very pure form or alloyed with other metals such as aluminum. A reference source of cobalt in aluminum alloy to serve as a neutron fluence rate monitor wire standard is available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as Standard Reference Material (SRM) 953.5 The competing activities from neutron activation of other isotopes are eliminated, for the most part, by waiting for the short-lived products to die out before counting. With suitable techniques, thermal neutron fluence rate in the range from 108 cm−2·s−1 to 3 × 1015 cm−2·s−1 can be measured. Two calculational practices are described in Section 9 for the determination of neutron fluence rates. The practice described in 9.3 may be used in all cases. This practice describes a means of measuring a Westcott neutron fluence rate in 9.2 (Note 1) by activation of cobalt- and silver-foil monitors (see Terminology E170). For the Wescott Neutron Fluence Convention method to be applicable, the measurement location must be well moderated and be well represented by a Maxwellian low-energy distribution and an (1/E) epithermal distribution. These conditions are usually only met in positions surrounded by hydrogenous moderator without nearby strongly multiplying or absorbing materials.
Note 1: Westcott fluence rate ...
- Standard7 pagesEnglish language
- Standard7 pagesEnglish language
ABSTRACT
This guide presents the simulation procedure which would provide advice for conducting experiments to investigate the effects of helium on the properties of irradiated metals where the technique for introducing the helium differs in someway from the actual mechanism of introduction of helium in service. Simulation techniques considered for introducing helium shall include charged particle implantation, exposure to α-emitting radioisotopes, and tritium decay techniques. Procedures for the analysis of helium content and helium distribution within the specimen are also recommended. The two other methods for introducing helium into irradiated materials namely, the enhancement of helium production in nickel-bearing alloys by spectral tailoring in mixed-spectrum fission reactors, and the isotopic tailoring in both fast and mixed-spectrum fission reactors, are not covered in this guide. Dual ion beam techniques for simultaneously implanting helium and generating displacement damage are also not included here.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Helium is introduced into metals as a consequence of nuclear reactions, such as (n, α), or by the injection of helium into metals from the plasma in fusion reactors. The characterization of the effect of helium on the properties of metals using direct irradiation methods may be impractical because of the time required to perform the irradiation or the lack of a radiation facility, as in the case of the fusion reactor. Simulation techniques can accelerate the research by identifying and isolating major effects caused by the presence of helium. The word ‘simulation’ is used here in a broad sense to imply an approximation of the relevant irradiation environment. There are many complex interactions between the helium produced during irradiation and other irradiation effects, so care must be exercised to ensure that the effects being studied are a suitable approximation of the real effect. By way of illustration, details of helium introduction, especially the implantation temperature, may determine the subsequent distribution of the helium (that is, dispersed atomistically, in small clusters in bubbles, etc.).
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides advice for conducting experiments to investigate the effects of helium on the properties of metals where the technique for introducing the helium differs in some way from the actual mechanism of introduction of helium in service. Techniques considered for introducing helium may include charged particle implantation, exposure to α-emitting radioisotopes, and tritium decay techniques. Procedures for the analysis of helium content and helium distribution within the specimen are also recommended.
1.2 Three other methods for introducing helium into irradiated materials are not covered in this guide. They are: (1) the enhancement of helium production in nickel-bearing alloys by spectral tailoring in mixed-spectrum fission reactors, (2) a related technique that uses a thin layer of NiAl on the specimen surface to inject helium, and (3) isotopic tailoring in both fast and mixed-spectrum fission reactors. These techniques are described in Refs (1-6).2 Dual ion beam techniques (7) for simultaneously implanting helium and generating displacement damage are also not included here. This latter method is discussed in Practice E521.
1.3 In addition to helium, hydrogen is also produced in many materials by nuclear transmutation. In some cases it appears to act synergistically with helium (8-10). The specific impact of hydrogen is not addressed in this guide.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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 regulat...
- Guide13 pagesEnglish language
- Guide13 pagesEnglish language
ABSTRACT
These methods cover general procedures for the calibration of radiation detectors and the analysis of radionuclides. For each individual radionuclide, one or more of these methods may apply. These methods are concerned only with specific radionuclide measurements. The chemical and physical properties of the radionuclides are beyond the scope of this standard. Among the measurement standards discussed are: the calibration and usage of germanium detectors, scintillation detector systems, scintillation detectors for simple and complex spectra, and counting methods such as beta particle counting, aluminum absorption curve, alpha particle counting, and liquid scintillation counting. For each of the methods, the scope, apparatus used, summary of methods, preparation of apparatus, calibration procedure, measurement of radionuclide, performance testing, sources of uncertainty, precautions and tests, and calculations are detailed.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers general procedures for the calibration of radiation detectors and measurement for radiation metrology for reactor dosimetry. For any particular radionuclide, one or more of these methods may apply.
1.2 These techniques are concerned only with specific radionuclide measurements. The chemical and physical properties of the radionuclides are not within the scope of this standard.
1.3 E3376, Standard Practice for Calibration and Usage of Germanium Detectors in Radiation Metrology for Reactor Dosimetry, was previously in Guide E181 and is now found in Volume 12.02 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. The discussion herein is not a sufficient substitute for the full standard. This guide is specifically NOT to be used as a direct reference to Practice E3376. Only the standard listed provides sufficient information to serve as a reference.
1.4 Additional information on the setup, calibration, and quality control for radiometric detectors and measurements is given in Guide C1402 and Practice D7282.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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.
1.7 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.
- Guide16 pagesEnglish language
- Guide16 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 High-purity germanium detectors are used for precise gamma-ray spectroscopy for the purpose of determining radioactivity in materials. Typical applications include monitoring, mapping, and characterization of neutron energy spectra in nuclear reactors or isotopic fission sources.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard establishes techniques for calibration, usage, and performance testing of germanium detectors for the measurement of gamma-ray emission rates of radionuclides in radiation metrology for reactor dosimetry. The practice is applicable only to samples of small size, approximating to point sources. It covers the energy and full-energy peak efficiency calibration as well as the determination of gamma-ray energies in the 0.06 MeV to 2 MeV energy region and is designed to yield gamma-ray emission rates with an uncertainty of ±3 % (see Note 1). This technique applies to measurements that do not involve overlapping peaks, and in which peak-to-continuum considerations are not important.
Note 1: Uncertainty U is given at the 68 % confidence level; that is, where δi are the estimated maximum systematic uncertainties, and σi are the random uncertainties at the 68 % confidence level. Other techniques of error analysis are in use (1, 2).2
1.2 Additional information on the setup, calibration, and quality control for radiometric detectors and measurements is given in IEEE/ANSI N42.14 and in Guide C1402 and Practice D7282.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are generally to be regarded as standard. The rad is an exception.
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.
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.
- Standard10 pagesEnglish language
- Standard12 pagesEnglish language
- Standard12 pagesEnglish language
ABSTRACT
This practice covers the measurement of the mechanical properties of materials during charged-particle irradiation, with the test materials designed to simulate or provide understanding of, or both, the mechanical behavior of materials when exposed to neutron irradiation. This practice includes requirements for test material and particle beam characterization (such as for strain, load, temperature monitoring and control, and specimen environment monitoring), and recommended procedures for measuring mechanical properties and for calculating radiation damage (such as particle ranges, damage energy, damage rates, and damage gradients). Methods for comparing ion damage with neutron damage are also recommended.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the performance of mechanical tests on materials being irradiated with charged particles. These tests are designed to provide an understanding of the effects of neutron irradiation on the mechanical behavior of materials. Practices are described that govern the test material, the particle beam, the experimental technique, and the damage calculations. Reference should be made to other ASTM standards, especially Practice E521. Procedures are described that are applicable to creep and creep rupture tests made in tension and torsion test modes.2
1.2 The word simulation is used here in a broad sense to imply an approximation of the relevant neutron irradiation environment. The degree of conformity can range from poor to nearly exact. The intent is to produce a correspondence between one or more aspects of the neutron and charged-particle irradiations such that fundamental relationships are established between irradiation or material parameters and the material response.
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.
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.
- Standard8 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Temperature monitors are used in surveillance capsules in accordance with Practice E2215 to estimate the maximum value of the surveillance specimen irradiation temperature. Temperature monitors are needed to give evidence of overheating of surveillance specimens beyond the expected temperature. Because overheating causes a reduction in the amount of neutron radiation damage to the surveillance specimens, this overheating could result in a change in the measured properties of the surveillance specimens that would lead to an unconservative prediction of damage to the reactor vessel material.
3.2 The magnitude of the reduction of radiation damage with overheating depends on the composition of the material and time at temperature. Guide E900 provides an accepted method for quantifying the temperature effect. Because the evidence from melt wire monitors gives no indication of the duration of overheating above the expected temperature as indicated by melting of the monitor, the significance of overheating events cannot be quantified on the basis of temperature monitors alone. Indication of overheating does serve to alert the user of the data to further evaluate the irradiation temperature exposure history of the surveillance capsule.
3.3 This guide is included in Master Matrix E706 that relates several standards used for irradiation surveillance of light-water reactor vessel materials. It is intended primarily to amplify the requirements of Practice E185 in the design of temperature monitors for the surveillance program. It may also be used in conjunction with Practice E2215 to evaluate the post-irradiation test measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes the application of melt wire temperature monitors and their use for reactor vessel surveillance of light-water power reactors as called for in Practices E185 and E2215.
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to recommend the selection and use of the common melt wire technique where the correspondence between melting temperature and composition of different alloys is used as a passive temperature monitor. Guidelines are provided for the selection and calibration of monitor materials; design, fabrication, and assembly of monitor and container; post-irradiation examinations; interpretation of the results; and estimation of uncertainties.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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. (See Note 1.)
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.
- Guide3 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Because of the wide variety of materials being used in neutron-activation measurements, this guide is presented with the objective of bringing improved uniformity to the specific field of interest here: hardness testing of electronics primarily in critical assembly reactor environments.
Note 2: Some of the techniques discussed are useful for 14-MeV dosimetry. See Test Method E496 for activation detector materials suitable for 14-MeV neutron effects testing.
Note 3: The materials recommended in this guide are suitable for 252Cf or other weak source effects testing provided the fluence is sufficient to generate countable activities.
3.2 This guide is organized into two overlapping subjects: the criteria used for sensor selection, and the procedures used to ensure the proper determination of activities for determination of neutron spectra. See Terminology E170 and Test Methods E181. Determination of neutron spectra with activation sensor data is discussed in Guides E721 and E944.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the selection and use of neutron-activation detector materials to be employed in neutron spectra adjustment techniques used for radiation-hardness testing of electronic semiconductor devices. Sensors are described that have been used at many radiation hardness-testing facilities, and comments are offered in table footnotes concerning the appropriateness of each reaction as judged by its cross-section accuracy, ease of use as a sensor, and by past successful application. This guide also discusses the fluence-uniformity, neutron self-shielding, and fluence-depression corrections that need to be considered in choosing the sensor thickness, the sensor covers, and the sensor locations. These considerations are relevant for the determination of neutron spectra from assemblies such as TRIGA- and Godiva-type reactors and from Californium irradiators. This guide may also be applicable to other broad energy distribution sources up to 20 MeV.
Note 1: For definitions on terminology used in this guide, see Terminology E170.
1.2 This guide also covers the measurement of the gamma-ray or beta-ray emission rates from the activation foils and other sensors as well as the calculation of the absolute specific activities of these foils. The principal measurement technique is high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The activities are used in the determination of the energy-fluence spectrum of the neutron source. See Guide E721.
1.3 Details of measurement and analysis are covered as follows:
1.3.1 Corrections involved in measuring the sensor activities include those for finite sensor size and thickness in the calibration of the gamma-ray detector, for pulse-height analyzer deadtime and pulse-pileup losses, and for background radioactivity.
1.3.2 The primary method for detector calibration that uses secondary standard gamma-ray emitting sources is considered in this guide and in Test Methods E181. In addition, an alternative method in which the sensors are activated in the known spectrum of a benchmark neutron field is discussed in Guide E1018.
1.3.3 A data analysis method is presented which accounts for the following: detector efficiency; background subtraction; irradiation, waiting, and counting times; fission yields and gamma-ray branching ratios; and self-absorption of gamma rays and neutrons in the sensors.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decis...
- Guide13 pagesEnglish language
- Guide13 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A pressure vessel surveillance program requires a methodology for relating radiation-induced changes in materials exposed in accelerated surveillance locations to the condition of the pressure vessel (see Practice E853). An important consideration is that the irradiation exposures be expressed in a unit that is physically related to the damage mechanisms.
4.2 A major source of neutron radiation damage in metals is the displacement of atoms from their normal lattice sites. Hence, an appropriate damage exposure index is the number of times, on the average, that an atom has been displaced during an irradiation. This can be expressed as the total number of displaced atoms per unit volume, per unit mass, or per atom of the material. Displacements per atom is the most common way of expressing this quantity. The number of dpa associated with a particular irradiation depends on the amount of energy deposited in the material by the neutrons, and hence, depends on the neutron spectrum. (For a more extended discussion, see Practice E521.)
4.3 No simple correspondence exists in general between dpa and a particular change in a material property. A reasonable starting point, however, for relative correlations of property changes produced in different neutron spectra is the dpa value associated with each environment. That is, the dpa values themselves provide a spectrum-sensitive index that may be a useful correlation parameter, or some function of the dpa values may affect correlation.
4.4 Since dpa is a construct that depends on a model of the neutron interaction processes in the material lattice, as well as the cross section (probability) for each of these processes, the value of dpa would be different if improved models or cross sections are used. The calculated displacement cross section for ferritic iron, as given in this practice, is determined by the procedure given in 6.3. The currently recommended iron displacement cross section in this practice (Table 1) wa...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a standard procedure for characterizing neutron irradiations of iron (and low alloy steels) in terms of the exposure index displacements per atom (dpa) for iron.
1.2 Although the methods of this practice apply to any material for which a displacement cross section σd(E) is known (see Practice E521), this practice is written specifically for iron.
1.3 It is assumed that the displacement cross section for iron is an adequate approximation for calculating displacements in steels that are mostly iron (95 to 100 %) in radiation fields for which secondary damage processes are not important.
1.4 Procedures analogous to this one can be formulated for calculating dpa in charged particle irradiations. (See Practice E521.)
1.5 The application of this practice requires knowledge of the total neutron fluence and flux spectrum. Refer to Practice E521 for determining these quantities.
1.6 The correlation of radiation effects data is beyond the scope of this practice.
1.7 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.
1.8 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.
- Standard8 pagesEnglish language
- Standard8 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Electronic devices are typically tested for device response to gamma radiation in pure gamma-ray fields. Testing electronic device response against neutrons is more complex since there is invariably a gamma-ray component in addition to the neutron field. The gamma-ray response of the electronic device is typically subtracted from the overall response to find the device response to neutrons. This approach to the testing requires a determination of the gamma-ray exposure in the mixed field. To enhance the neutron effects, the radiation field is sometimes selected to have as large a neutron component as possible.
4.2 CaF2(Mn) TLDs are often used to monitor the gamma-ray dose in mixed neutron/gamma radiation fields. Since the dosimeters are exposed along with the device under test to the mixed field, their response must be corrected for neutrons. In a field rich in neutrons, the uncertainty in the interpretation of the TLD response grows. In fields with relatively few neutrons, the total TLD response may be used to make a correction for gamma response of the device under test. Under this condition, the relative uncertainty in the TLD neutron response is not likely to drive the overall uncertainty in the correction to the electronic device response.
4.3 This practice gives a means of estimating the response of CaF2(Mn) TLDs to neutrons. This neutron response is then subtracted from the measured response to determine the TLD response due to gamma rays. The procedure has relatively high uncertainty because the neutron response of CaF2(Mn) TLDs may vary depending on the source of the material, and this procedure is a generic calculation applicable to CaF2(Mn) TLDs independent of their manufacturer/source. The neutron response given in this practice is a summary of CaF2(Mn) TLD responses reported in the literature. The associated uncertainty envelops the range of results reported and includes the variety of CaF2(Mn) TLDs used as well as the uncertainties in the det...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for correcting a CaF2(Mn) thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) reading for its response to neutrons during the irradiation. The neutron response may be subtracted from the total TLD response to give the gamma-ray response. In fields with a large neutron contribution to the total response, this procedure may result in large uncertainties.
1.2 More precise experimental techniques may be applied if the uncertainty derived from this practice is larger than the level that the user can accept. These more precise techniques are not discussed here. The references in Section 8 describe some of these techniques.
1.3 This practice does not discuss effects on the TLD reading from neutron interactions with the material surrounding the TLD and used to ensure a charged particle equilibrium. These effects will depend on the isotopic composition of the surrounding material and its thickness, and on the incident neutron spectrum (1).2
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard.
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.
- Standard6 pagesEnglish language
- Standard6 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A radiation-hardness assurance program requires a methodology for relating radiation-induced changes in materials exposed to a variety of particle species over a wide range of energies, including those encountered in spacecraft and in terrestrial environments as well as those produced by particle accelerators and nuclear fission and fusion reactors.
4.2 A major source of radiation damage in electronic and photonic devices and materials is the displacement of atoms from their normal lattice site. An appropriate exposure parameter for such damage is the damage energy calculated from NIEL by means of Eq 2. Other analogous measures, which may be used to characterize the irradiation history that is relevant to displacement damage, are damage energy per atom or per unit mass (displacement kerma, when the primary particles are neutral), and displacements per atom (dpa). See Terminology E170 for definitions of those quantities.
4.3 Each of the quantities mentioned in the previous paragraph should convey similar information, but in a different format. In each case the value of the derived exposure parameter depends on approximate nuclear, atomic, and lattice models, and on measured or calculated cross sections. If consistent comparisons are to be made of irradiation effects caused by different particle species and energies, it is essential that these approximations be consistently applied.
4.4 No correspondence should be assumed to exist between damage energy as calculated from NIEL and a particular change in a material property or device parameter. Instead, the damage energy should be used as a parameter which describes the exposure. It may be a useful correlation variate, even when different particle species and energies are included. NIEL should not be reported as a measure of damage, however, unless its correlation with a particular damage modality has been demonstrated in that material or device.
4.5 NIEL is a construct that depends on a model of the par...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes a procedure for characterizing particle irradiations of materials in terms of non-ionizing energy loss (NIEL). NIEL is used in published literature to characterize both charged and neutral particle irradiations.
1.2 Although the methods described in this practice apply to any particles and target materials for which displacement cross sections are known (see Practice E521), this practice is intended for use in irradiations in which observed damage effects may be correlated with atomic displacements. This is true of some, but not all, radiation effects in electronic and photonic materials.
1.3 Procedures analogous to this one are used for calculation of displacements per atom (dpa) in charged particle irradiations (see Practice E521) or neutron irradiations (see Practice E693).
1.4 Guidance on calculation of dpa from NIEL is provided.
1.5 Procedures related to this one are used for calculation of 1-MeV equivalent neutron fluence in electronic materials (see Practice E722), but in that practice the concept of damage efficiency, based on correlation of observed damage effects, is included.
1.6 Guidance on conversion of NIEL in silicon to monoenergetic neutron fluence in silicon (see Practice E722), and vice versa, is provided.
1.7 The application of this standard requires knowledge of the particle fluence and energy distribution of particles whose interaction leads to displacement damage.
1.8 The correlation of radiation effects data is beyond the scope of this standard. A comprehensive review (1)2 of displacement damage effects in silicon and their correlation with NIEL provides appropriate guidance that is applicable to semiconductor materials and electronic devices.
1.9 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standa...
- Standard5 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Refer to Practice E261 for a general discussion of the measurement of fast-neutron fluence rates with threshold detectors.
5.5.1 Fig. 5 (2) shows how the neutron energy depends upon the angle of scattering in the laboratory coordinate system when the incident deuteron has an energy of 150 keV and is incident on a thick and a thin tritiated target. For thick targets, the incident deuteron loses energy as it penetrates the target and produces neutrons of lower energy. A thick target is defined as a target thick enough to completely stop the incident deuteron. The two curves in Fig. 5, for both thick and thin targets, come from different sources. The dashed line calculations come from Ref (3); the solid curve calculations come from Ref (4); and the measured data come from Ref (5). The dash-dot curve and the right-hand axis give the difference between the calculated neutron energies for thin and thick targets. Computer codes are available to assist in calculating the expected thick and thin target yield and neutron spectrum for various incident deuteron energies (6).
FIG. 5 Dependence of 3H(d,n)4He Neutron Energy on Angle (2)
5.6 The Q-value for the primary 3H(d,n)4He reaction is +17.59 MeV. When the incident deuteron energy exceeds 3.71 MeV and 4.92 MeV, the break-up reactions 3H(d,np)3H and 3H(d,2n)3He, respectively, become energetically possible. Thus, at high deuteron energies (>3.71 MeV) this reaction is no longer monoenergetic. Monoenergetic neutron beams with energies from about 14.8 to 20.4 MeV can be produced by this reaction at forward laboratory angles (7).
5.7 It is recommended that the dosimetry sensors be fielded in the exact positions where the dosimetry results are wanted. There are a number of factors that can affect the monochromaticity or energy spread of the neutron beam (7, 8). These factors include the energy regulation of the incident deuteron energy, energy loss in retaining windows if a gas target is used or energy loss within t...
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1.1 This test method covers a general procedure for the measurement of the fast-neutron fluence rate produced by neutron generators utilizing the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. Neutrons so produced are usually referred to as 14-MeV neutrons, but range in energy depending on a number of factors. This test method does not adequately cover fusion sources where the velocity of the plasma may be an important consideration.
1.2 This test method uses threshold activation reactions to determine the average energy of the neutrons and the neutron fluence at that energy. At least three activities, chosen from an appropriate set of dosimetry reactions, are required to characterize the average energy and fluence. The required activities are typically measured by gamma-ray spectroscopy.
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.
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.
- Standard14 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Refer to Guide E844 for the selection, irradiation, and quality control of neutron dosimeters.
5.2 Refer to Practice E261 for a general discussion of the determination of fast-neutron fluence rate with threshold detectors.
5.3 Titanium has good physical strength, is easily fabricated, has excellent corrosion resistance, has a melting temperature of 1668 °C, and can be obtained with satisfactory purity.
5.4 46Sc has a half-life of 83.787 (16)4 days (2). The 46Sc decay emits a 0.889271 (2) MeV gamma 99.98374 (35) % of the time and a second gamma with an energy of 1.120537 (3) MeV 99.97 (2) % of the time.
5.5 The recommended “representative isotopic abundances” for natural titanium (3) are:
8.25 (3) % 46Ti
7.44 (2) % 47Ti
73.72 (2) % 48Ti
5.41 (2) % 49Ti
5.18 (2) % 50Ti
5.6 The radioactive products of the neutron reactions 47Ti(n,p)47Sc (τ1/2 = 3.3485 (9) d) (2) and 48Ti(n,p)48Sc (τ1/2 = 43.67 h), (3) might interfere with the analysis of 46Sc.
5.7 Contaminant activities (for example, 65Zn and 182Ta) might interfere with the analysis of 46Sc. See 7.1.2 and 7.1.3 for more details on the 182Ta and 65Zn interference.
5.8 46Ti and 46Sc have cross sections for thermal neutrons of 0.59 ± 0.18 and 8.0 ± 1.0 barns, respectively (4); therefore, when an irradiation exceeds a thermal-neutron fluence greater than about 2 × 1021 cm–2, provisions should be made to either use a thermal-neutron shield to prevent burn-up of 46Sc or measure the thermal-neutron fluence rate and calculate the burn-up.
5.9 Fig. 1 shows a plot of the International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File, IRDFF-II cross section (5) versus neutron energy for the fast-neutron reactions of titanium which produce 46Sc (that is, natTi(n,X)46Sc). Included in the plot is the 46Ti(n,p) reaction and the 47Ti(n,np:d) contributions to the 46Sc production, normalized per natTi atom with the individual isotopic contributions weighted using the natural abundances (3). This figure ...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for measuring reaction rates by the activation reaction natTi(n,X)46Sc. The “X” designation represents any combination of light particles associated with the production of the residual 46Sc product. Within the applicable neutron energy range for fission reactor applications, this reaction is a properly normalized combination of three different reaction channels: 46Ti(n,p)46Sc; 47Ti(n, np)46Sc; and 47Ti(n,d)46Sc.
Note 1: The 47Ti(n,np)46Sc reaction, ENDF-6 format file/reaction identifier MF=3, MT=28, is distinguished from the 47Ti(n,d)46Sc reaction, ENDF-6 format file/reaction identifier MF=3/MT=104, even though it leads to the same residual product (1).2 The combined reaction, in the IRDFF-II library, has the file/reaction identifier MF=10/MT=5.
Note 2: The cross section for the combined 47Ti(n,np:d) reaction is relatively small for energies less than 12 MeV and, in fission reactor spectra, the production of the residual 46Sc is not easily distinguished from that due to the 46Ti(n,p) reaction.
1.2 The reaction is useful for measuring neutrons with energies above approximately 4.4 MeV and for irradiation times, under uniform power, up to about 250 days (for longer irradiations, or for varying power levels, see Practice E261).
1.3 With suitable techniques, fission-neutron fluence rates above 109 cm–2·s–1 can be determined. However, in the presence of a high thermal-neutron fluence rate, 46Sc depletion should be investigated.
1.4 Detailed procedures for other fast-neutron detectors are referenced in Practice E261.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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 an...
- Standard5 pagesEnglish language
- Standard5 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 General:
3.1.1 The methodology recommended in this guide specifies criteria for validating computational methods and outlines procedures applicable to pressure vessel related neutronics calculations for test and power reactors. The material presented herein is useful for validating computational methodology and for performing neutronics calculations that accompany reactor vessel surveillance dosimetry measurements (see Master Matrix E706 and Practice E853). Briefly, the overall methodology involves: (1) methods-validation calculations based on at least one well-documented benchmark problem, and (2) neutronics calculations for the facility of interest. The neutronics calculations of the facility of interest and of the benchmark problem should be performed consistently, with important modeling parameters kept the same or as similar as is feasible. In particular, the same energy group structure and common broad-group microscopic cross sections should be used for both problems. Further, the benchmark problem should be characteristically similar to the facility of interest. For example, a power reactor benchmark should be utilized for power reactor calculations. Non-power reactors may have special features that may affect pressure vessel fluence and require consideration when developing a benchmark, such as beam tubes, irradiation facilities, and non-core neutron sources. The neutronics calculations involve two tasks: (1) determination of the neutron source distribution in the reactor core by utilizing diffusion theory (or transport theory) calculations in conjunction with reactor power distribution measurements, and (2) performance of a fixed fission rate neutron source (fixed-source) transport theory calculation to determine the neutron fluence rate distribution in the reactor core, through the internals and in the pressure vessel. Some neutronics modeling details for the benchmark, test reactor, or the power reactor calculation will differ; therefore, the proc...
SCOPE
1.1 Need for Neutronics Calculations—An accurate calculation of the neutron fluence and fluence rate at several locations is essential for the analysis of integral dosimetry measurements and for predicting irradiation damage exposure parameter values in the pressure vessel. Exposure parameter values may be obtained directly from calculations or indirectly from calculations that are adjusted with dosimetry measurements; Guide E944 and Practice E853 define appropriate computational procedures.
1.2 Methodology—Neutronics calculations for application to reactor vessel surveillance encompass three essential areas: (1) validation of methods by comparison of calculations with dosimetry measurements in a benchmark experiment, (2) determination of the neutron source distribution in the reactor core, and (3) calculation of neutron fluence rate at the surveillance position and in the pressure vessel.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Guide5 pagesEnglish language
- Guide5 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 It is important to know the energy spectrum of the particular neutron source employed in radiation-hardness testing of electronic devices in order to relate radiation effects with device performance degradation.
4.2 This guide describes the factors which must be considered when the spectrum adjustment methodology is chosen and implemented. Although the selection of sensors (foils) and the determination of responses (activities) is discussed in Guide E720, the experiment should not be divorced from the analysis. In fact, it is advantageous for the analyst conducting the spectrum determination to be closely involved with the design of the experiment to ensure that the data obtained will provide the most accurate spectrum possible. These data include the following: (1) measured responses such as the activities of foils exposed in the environment and their uncertainties, (2) response functions such as reaction cross sections along with appropriate correlations and uncertainties, (3) the geometry and materials in the test environment, and (4) a trial function or prior spectrum and its uncertainties obtained from a transport calculation or from previous experience.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures for determining the energy-differential fluence spectra of neutrons used in radiation-hardness testing of electronic semiconductor devices. The types of neutron sources specifically covered by this guide are fission or degraded energy fission sources used in either a steady-state or pulse mode.
1.2 This guide provides guidance and criteria that can be applied during the process of choosing the spectrum adjustment methodology that is best suited to the available data and relevant for the environment being investigated.
1.3 This guide is to be used in conjunction with Guide E720 to characterize neutron spectra and is used in conjunction with Practice E722 to characterize damage-related parameters normally associated with radiation-hardness testing of electronic semiconductor devices.
Note 1: Although Guide E720 only discusses activation foil sensors, any energy-dependent neutron-responding sensor for which a response function is known may be used (1).2
Note 2: For terminology used in this guide, see Terminology E170.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Guide12 pagesEnglish language
- Guide12 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide deals with the difficult problem of benchmarking neutron transport calculations carried out to determine fluences for plant specific reactor geometries. The calculations are necessary for fluence determination in locations important for material radiation damage estimation and which are not accessible to measurement. Typically, the most important application of such calculations is the estimation of fluence within the reactor vessel of operating light water reactors (LWR) to provide accurate estimates of the irradiation embrittlement of the base and weld metal in the vessel. The benchmark procedure must not only prove that calculations give reasonable results but that their uncertainties are propagated with due regard to the sensitivities of the different input parameters used in the transport calculations. Benchmarking is achieved by building up data bases of benchmark experiments that have different influences on uncertainty propagation. For example, in simple vessel wall mockups where measurements are made within a simulated reactor vessel wall, the integral effect of uncertainties in iron cross sections (absorption and elastic and inelastic scattering) are dominant and have been bounded by the agreement between calculation and measurement. For more complicated integral benchmarks, other factors such as: uncertainties in the distribution of fission sources, geometry, the energy-dependent cross sections, and the angular scattering distribution for elemental components of major materials in the neutron field (such as water and iron) may all be important uncertainty contributors. This guide describes general procedures for using neutron fields with known characteristics to corroborate the calculational methodology and nuclear data used to derive neutron field information from measurements of neutron sensor response.
4.2 The bases for benchmark field referencing are usually irradiations performed in standard neutron fields with well-known energy spe...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers general approaches for benchmarking neutron transport calculations for pressure vessel surveillance programs in light water reactor systems. A companion guide (Guide E2005) covers use of benchmark fields for testing neutron transport calculations and cross sections in well controlled environments. This guide covers experimental benchmarking of neutron fluence calculations (or calculations of other exposure parameters such as dpa) in more complex geometries relevant to reactor pressure vessel surveillance. Particular sections of the guide discuss: the use of well-characterized benchmark neutron fields to provide an indication of the accuracy of the calculational methods and nuclear data when applied to typical cases; and the use of plant specific measurements to indicate bias in individual plant calculations. Use of these two benchmark techniques will serve to limit plant-specific calculational uncertainty, and, when combined with analytical uncertainty estimates for the calculations, will provide uncertainty estimates for reactor fluences with a higher degree of confidence.
1.2 Although this guide and the companion guide, Guide E2005, are focused on power reactors, the principle of this guide is also applicable to non-power light water reactor pressure vessel surveillance programs.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Guide8 pagesEnglish language
- Guide8 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The conventional determination of oxygen content in liquid or solid samples is a relatively difficult chemical procedure. It is slow and usually of limited sensitivity. The 14-MeV neutron activation and direct counting technique provides a rapid, highly sensitive, nondestructive procedure for oxygen determination in a wide range of matrices. This test method is independent of the chemical form of the oxygen.
5.2 This test method can be used for quality and process control in the metals, coal, and petroleum industries, and for research purposes in a broad spectrum of applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of oxygen concentration in almost any matrix by using a 14-MeV neutron activation and direct-counting technique. Essentially, the same system may be used to determine oxygen concentrations ranging from under 10 μg/g to over 500 mg/g, depending on the sample size and available 14-MeV neutron fluence rates.
Note 1: The range of analysis may be extended by using higher neutron fluence rates, larger samples, and higher counting efficiency detectors.
1.2 This test method may be used on either solid or liquid samples, provided that they can be made to conform in size, shape, and macroscopic density during irradiation and counting to a standard sample of known oxygen content. Several variants of this method have been described in the technical literature. A monograph is available which provides a comprehensive description of the principles of activation analysis using a neutron generator (1).2
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.Specific precautions are given in Section 8.
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.
- Standard8 pagesEnglish language
- Standard8 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Operation of commercial power reactors must conform to pressure-temperature limits during heatup and cooldown to prevent over-pressurization at temperatures that might cause non-ductile behavior in the presence of a flaw. Radiation damage to the reactor vessel is compensated for by adjusting the pressure-temperature limits to higher temperatures as the neutron damage accumulates. The present practice is to base that adjustment on the TTS produced by neutron irradiation as measured at the Charpy V-notch 41-J (30-ft·lbf) energy level. To establish pressure temperature operating limits during the operating life of the plant, a prediction of TTS must be made.
4.1.1 In the absence of surveillance data for a given reactor material (see Practice E185 and E2215), the use of calculative procedures are necessary to make the prediction. Even when credible surveillance data are available, it will usually be necessary to interpolate or extrapolate the data to obtain a TTS for a specific time in the plant operating life. The embrittlement correlation presented herein has been developed for those purposes.
4.2 Research has established that certain elements, notably copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), phosphorus (P), and manganese (Mn), cause a variation in radiation sensitivity of reactor pressure vessel steels. The importance of other elements, such as silicon (Si), and carbon (C), remains a subject of additional research. Copper, nickel, phosphorus, and manganese are the key chemistry parameters used in developing the calculative procedures described here.
4.3 Only power reactor (PWR and BWR) surveillance data were used in the derivation of these procedures. The measure of fast neutron fluence used in the procedure is n/m2 (E > 1 MeV). Differences in fluence rate and neutron energy spectra experienced in power reactors and test reactors have not been accounted for in these procedures.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide presents a method for predicting values of reference transition temperature shift (TTS) for irradiated pressure vessel materials. The method is based on the TTS exhibited by Charpy V-notch data at 41-J (30-ft·lbf) obtained from surveillance programs conducted in several countries for commercial pressurized (PWR) and boiling (BWR) light-water cooled (LWR) power reactors. An embrittlement correlation has been developed from a statistical analysis of the large surveillance database consisting of radiation-induced TTS and related information compiled and analyzed by Subcommittee E10.02. The details of the database and analysis are described in a separate report (ADJE090015-EA).2,3 This embrittlement correlation was developed using the variables copper, nickel, phosphorus, manganese, irradiation temperature, neutron fluence, and product form. Data ranges and conditions for these variables are listed in 1.1.1. Section 1.1.2 lists the materials included in the database and the domains of exposure variables that may influence TTS but are not used in the embrittlement correlation.
1.1.1 The range of material and irradiation conditions in the database for variables used in the embrittlement correlation:
1.1.1.1 Copper content up to 0.4 %.
1.1.1.2 Nickel content up to 1.7 %.
1.1.1.3 Phosphorus content up to 0.03 %.
1.1.1.4 Manganese content within the range from 0.55 to 2.0 %.
1.1.1.5 Irradiation temperature within the range from 255 to 300°C (491 to 572°F).
1.1.1.6 Neutron fluence within the range from 1 × 1021 n/m2 to 2 × 1024 n/m2 (E> 1 MeV).
1.1.1.7 A categorical variable describing the product form (that is, weld, plate, forging).
1.1.2 The range of material and irradiation conditions in the database for variables not included in the embrittlement correlation:
1.1.2.1 A533 Type B Class 1 and 2, A302 Grade B, A302 Grade B (modified), and A508 Class 2 and 3. Also, European and Japanese steel grades that are equivalent to these ASTM Grades.
1.1.2.2 Submerged arc welds, shielded a...
- Guide5 pagesEnglish language
- Guide5 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Predictions of neutron radiation effects on pressure vessel steels are considered in the design of light-water moderated nuclear power reactors. Changes in system operating parameters often are made throughout the service life of the reactor vessel to account for radiation effects. Due to the variability in the behavior of reactor vessel steels, a surveillance program is warranted to monitor changes in the properties of actual vessel materials caused by long-term exposure to the neutron radiation and temperature environment of the reactor vessel. This practice describes the criteria that should be considered in planning and implementing surveillance test programs and points out precautions that should be taken to ensure that: (1) capsule exposures can be related to beltline exposures, (2) materials selected for the surveillance program are samples of those materials most likely to limit the operation of the reactor vessel, and (3) the test specimen types are appropriate for the evaluation of radiation effects on the reactor vessel.
4.2 Guides E482 and E853 describe a methodology for estimation of neutron exposure obtained for reactor vessel surveillance programs. Regulators or other sources may describe different methods.
4.3 The design of a surveillance program for a given reactor vessel must consider the existing body of data on similar materials in addition to the specific materials used for that reactor vessel. The amount of such data and the similarity of exposure conditions and material characteristics will determine their applicability for predicting radiation effects.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for designing a surveillance program for monitoring the radiation-induced changes in the mechanical properties of ferritic materials in light-water moderated nuclear power reactor vessels. New advanced light-water small modular reactor designs with a nominal design output of 300 MWe or less have not been specifically considered in this practice. This practice includes the minimum requirements for the design of a surveillance program, selection of vessel material to be included, and the initial schedule for evaluation of materials.
1.2 This practice was developed for all light-water moderated nuclear power reactor vessels for which the predicted maximum fast neutron fluence (E > 1 MeV) exceeds 1 × 1021 neutrons/m 2 (1 × 1017 n/cm2) at the inside surface of the ferritic steel reactor vessel.
1.3 This practice does not provide specific procedures for monitoring the radiation induced changes in properties beyond the design life. Practice E2215 addresses changes to the withdrawal schedule during and beyond the design life.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
Note 1: The increased complexity of the requirements for a light-water moderated nuclear power reactor vessel surveillance program has necessitated the separation of the requirements into three related standards. Practice E185 describes the minimum requirements for design of a surveillance program. Practice E2215 describes the procedures for testing and evaluation of surveillance capsules removed from a reactor vessel. Guide E636 provides guidance for conducting additional mechanical tests. A summary of the many major revisions to Practice E185 since its original issuance is contained in Appendix X2.
Note 2: This practice applies only to the planning and design of surveillance programs for reactor vessels designed and built after the effective date of this practice. Previous versions of Practice E185 apply to earlier reactor vessels. See Appendix X2.
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 Or...
- Standard10 pagesEnglish language
- Standard10 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Transmutation Processes—The effect on materials of bombardment by neutrons depends on the energy of the neutrons; therefore, it is important that the energy distribution of the neutron fluence, as well as the total fluence, be determined.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes procedures for the determination of neutron fluence rate, fluence, and energy spectra from the radioactivity that is induced in a detector specimen.
1.2 The practice is directed toward the determination of these quantities in connection with radiation effects on materials.
1.3 For application of these techniques to reactor vessel surveillance, see also Test Methods E1005.
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.
Note 1: Detailed methods for individual detectors are given in the following ASTM test methods: E262, E263, E264, E265, E266, E343, E393, E481, E523, E526, E704, E705, and E854.
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.
- Standard15 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Practice E185 defines the minimum requirements for light-water reactor surveillance program Charpy V-notch specimens and Practice E2215 describes the evaluation of test specimens from surveillance capsules. It may be desirable to extend the original surveillance program with additional specimens for plant aging management issues, such as plant license renewal, to better define existing data, or to determine fracture toughness of a material when no standard fracture toughness test specimens are available. The possibility to reconstitute the broken halves of existing specimens can provide specimens which can be tested.
3.2 Charpy-sized specimens are typically machined from material not previously mechanically tested. There are occasions that exist when either (1) no full size specimen blanks are available or (2) the material available with the desired history (such as having been subjected to irradiation) is not sufficient for the machining of full-size specimens, or both.
3.3 A solution to this problem, which is addressed in this guide, is to fabricate new specimens using the broken halves of previously tested Charpy-sized specimens or other pieces of ferritic steel too small to fabricate a full Charpy-sized specimen. In this guide, the central segment of each new specimen utilizes a broken half of a previously tested specimen and end tabs that are welded to the central segment, or the central section may simply be a piece of untested material shorter than a Charpy-sized specimen. While specifically addressing reconstitution of irradiated pressure vessel steels, this guide can also provide guidance for reconstitution of Charpy-sized specimens for other situations where material availability is limited.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures for the reconstitution of ferritic steel, Type A Charpy V-notch specimens (Test Methods E23) and Charpy-sized fracture toughness specimens suitable for testing in three point bending in accordance with Test Methods E1921 or E1820. Ferritic steels (principally broken specimens used in nuclear power plant irradiation programs) are reconstituted by welding end tabs of similar material onto remachined specimen sections that were unaffected by the initial test. Guidelines are given for the selection of suitable specimen halves and end tab materials, for dimensional control, and for avoidance of overheating the notch area. A comprehensive overview of the reconstitution methodologies can be found in Ref (1).2
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Guide4 pagesEnglish language
- Guide4 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Radiometric monitors shall provide a proven passive dosimetry technique for the determination of neutron fluence rate (flux density), fluence, and spectrum in a diverse variety of neutron fields. These data are required to evaluate and estimate probable long-term radiation-induced damage to nuclear reactor structural materials such as the steel used in reactor pressure vessels and their support structures.
5.2 A number of radiometric monitors, their corresponding neutron activation reactions, and radioactive reaction products and some of the pertinent nuclear parameters of these RMs and products are listed in Table 1. Table 2 provides data (37) on the cumulative and independent fission yields of the important fission monitors. Not included in these tables are contributions to the yields from photo-fission, which can be especially significant for non-fissile nuclides (2-5, 27-29, 38-41). (A) All yield data are given as a percentage with associated uncertainties given as percentages of the percentage at the 1σ level.(B) For this fission yield evaluation (37), “Fast” indicates that the data was extracted from a wide range of reactor-based fission neutron spectra that can be characterized as having an average energy of ~0.4 MeV. Almost all of the fission reactions for U-238 and Th-232 occur above an effective threshold energy of ~1 MeV and, for Np-237, above ~0.2 MeV.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes procedures for measuring the specific activities of radioactive nuclides produced in radiometric monitors (RMs) by nuclear reactions induced during surveillance exposures for reactor vessels and support structures. More detailed procedures for individual RMs are provided in separate standards identified in 2.1 and in Refs (1-5).2 The measurement results can be used to define corresponding neutron induced reaction rates that can in turn be used to characterize the irradiation environment of the reactor vessel and support structure. The principal measurement technique is high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, although X-ray photon spectrometry and Beta particle counting are used to a lesser degree for specific RMs (1-29).
1.1.1 The measurement procedures include corrections for detector background radiation, random and true coincidence summing losses, differences in geometry between calibration source standards and the RMs, self absorption of radiation by the RM, other absorption effects, radioactive decay corrections, and burn out of the nuclide of interest (6-26).
1.1.2 Specific activities are calculated by taking into account the time duration of the count, the elapsed time between start of count and the end of the irradiation, the half life, the mass of the target nuclide in the RM, and the branching intensities of the radiation of interest. Using the appropriate half life and known conditions of the irradiation, the specific activities may be converted into corresponding reaction rates (2-5, 28-30).
1.1.3 Procedures for calculation of reaction rates from the radioactivity measurements and the irradiation power time history are included. A reaction rate can be converted to neutron fluence rate and fluence using the appropriate integral cross section and effective irradiation time values, and, with other reaction rates can be used to define the neutron spectrum through the use of suitable computer programs (2-5, 28-30).
1.1.4 The use of benchmark neutron fields for calibration of RMs can reduce significantly or eliminate systematic errors since many parameters, and their respective uncertainties, required for calculation of absolute reaction rates are common to both the benchmark and test measurements and therefore are self canceling. The benchmark equivalent fluence rates, for the environment tested, can be calculated from a direct ratio of the measured saturated activities in the two environments and the certified benchmark fluence rate (2-5, 28-30).
1.2 This test meth...
- Standard11 pagesEnglish language
- Standard11 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice provides a protocol to compare different decontamination technologies with a standard contamination mechanism and analysis of subsequent decontamination factors/efficiencies.
5.2 The use of this practice provides for the preparation of test coupons with a known amount of loose radiological or surrogate contaminant on the surface.
5.3 A standard test coupon is described and a list of potential equipment, contaminants, and contaminating solutions is provided within the procedure.
5.4 This practice describes a contamination simulation process that meets the requirements of testing performed (previously) by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the removal of loose contamination.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended to provide a basis for simulating radioactive contamination consistent with processes used to evaluate decontamination. The methods described provide a “loose-type” radiological or surrogate contamination on nonporous surfaces; these methods provide a surface contamination that may be easily removed by brushing or flushing with water.
1.2 This practice is intended for nonporous surfaces such as stainless steel, aluminum, glass, laminates, and epoxy painted surfaces. Preparation of porous substrates is not addressed, although similar methodologies may be used. A different practice is employed using Practice E3190, to produce “fixed” contamination.
1.3 The chemical simulants shall not include nor generate toxic byproducts as defined by U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during preparation, application, or removal under normal conditions. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall be provided so that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) can be selected.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Standard5 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 An accurate measure of the total absorbed dose is necessary to ensure the validity of the data taken, to enable comparison to be made of data taken at different facilities, and to verify that components or circuits are tested to the radiation specification applied to the system for which they are to be used.
5.2 The primary value of a calorimetric method for measuring dose is that the results are absolute. They are based only on physical properties of materials, that is, the specific heat of the calorimeter-block material and the Seebeck EMF of the thermocouple used or the temperature coefficient of resistance (α) of the thermistor used, all of which can be established with non-radiation measurements.
5.3 The method permits repeated measurements to be made without requiring entry into the radiation cell between measurements.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a calorimetric measurement of the total absorbed dose delivered by a single pulse of electrons from an electron linear accelerator or a flash X-ray machine (FXR, e-beam mode). The test method is designed for use with pulses of electrons in the energy range from 10 to 50 MeV and is only valid for cases in which both the calorimeter and the test specimen to be irradiated are “thin” compared to the range of these electrons in the materials of which they are constructed.
1.2 The procedure described can be used in those cases in which (1) the dose delivered in a single pulse is 5 Gy(matl)2 [500 rd (matl)] or greater, or (2) multiple pulses of a lower dose can be delivered in a short time compared to the thermal time constant of the calorimeter. The units for the total absorbed dose delivered to a material require the specification of the material and the notation “matl” refers to the active material of the calorimeter. The minimum dose per pulse that can be acceptably monitored depends on the variables of the particular test, including pulse rate, pulse uniformity, and the thermal time constant of the calorimeter.
1.3 A determination of the total dose is made directly for the material of which the calorimeter block is made. The total dose in other materials can be calculated from this measured value using Eq 3 presented in this test method. The need for such calculations and the choice of materials for which calculations are to be made shall be subject to agreement by the parties to the test.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parenthesis are provided for information only.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Standard13 pagesEnglish language
- Standard13 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Refer to Guide E844 for the selection, irradiation, and quality control of neutron dosimeters.
5.2 Refer to Practice E261 for a general discussion of the measurement of fast neutron fluence rate with threshold detectors. The general shape of the 63Cu(n,α) 60Co cross section is also shown in Fig. 1 (3, 4, 5) along with a comparison to the current experimental database (6). This figure is for illustrative purposes only to indicate the range of the response of the 63Cu(n,α)60Co reaction. Refer to Guide E1018 for descriptions of recommended tabulated dosimetry cross sections.
FIG. 1 63Cu(n,α)60Co Cross Section with EXFOR Experimental Data
Note 1: The cross section appropriate for use under this standard is from the IRDFF-II library (5) which, up to an incident neutron energy of 20 MeV, is drawn from the RRDF-2002 library (3) and is identical to the adopted cross section in the IRDF-2002 library (4). See Guide E1018.
5.3 The major advantages of copper for measuring fast-neutron fluence rate are that it has good strength, is easily fabricated, has excellent corrosion resistance, has a melting temperature of 1083°C, and can be obtained in high purity. The half-life of 60 Co is long and its decay scheme is simple and well known.
5.4 The disadvantages of copper for measuring fast neutron fluence rate are the high reaction apparent threshold of 4.5 MeV, the possible interference from cobalt impurity (>1 μg/g), the reported possible thermal component of the (n,α) reaction, and the possibly significant cross sections for thermal neutrons for 63Cu and 60Co [that is, 4.50(2) and 2.0(2) barns, respectively], (7), which will require burnout corrections at high fluences.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for measuring reaction rates by the activation reaction 63Cu(n,α) 60Co. The cross section for 60Co produced in this reaction increases rapidly with neutrons having energies greater than about 4.5 MeV. 60Co decays with a half-life of 5.2711(8)2 years (1)3,4 and emits two gamma rays having energies of 1.173228(3) and 1.332492(4) MeV (1). The isotopic content of natural copper is 69.174(20) % 63Cu and 30.826(20) % 65Cu (2). The neutron reaction, 63Cu(n,γ)64Cu, produces a radioactive product that emits gamma rays [1.34577(6) MeV (E1005)] which might interfere with the counting of the 60Co gamma rays.
1.2 With suitable techniques, fission-neutron fluence rates above 109 cm−2·s−1 can be determined. The 63Cu(n,α)60Co reaction can be used to determine fast-neutron fluences for irradiation times up to about 15 years, provided that the analysis methods described in Practice E261 are followed. If dosimeters are analyzed after irradiation periods longer than 15 years, the information inferred about the fluence during irradiation periods more than 15 years before the end of the irradiation should not be relied upon without supporting data from dosimeters withdrawn earlier.
1.3 Detailed procedures for other fast-neutron detectors are referenced in Practice E261.
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.
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.
- Standard4 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this standard is to provide the user information and guidance for selecting and using instrumentation that will provide measurement results that can be compared to criteria for unrestricted use.
4.2 Use of this standard will provide greater assurance that the measurements obtained will be technically and administratively sufficient for making decisions regarding completion of decontamination and/or demolition/removal activities.
4.3 Use of this standard will provide greater assurance that the measurements obtained will be technically and administratively sufficient to meet all applicable regulatory requirements for unrestricted release of a component for recycle or reuse, or for unrestricted release of a remaining surface or area.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard provides recommendations on the selection and use of portable instrumentation that is responsive to levels of radiation that are close to natural background. These instruments are employed to detect the presence of residual radioactivity that is at, or below, the criteria for release from further regulatory control of a component to be salvaged or reused, or a surface remaining at the conclusion of decontamination and/or decommissioning.
1.2 The choice of these instruments, their operating characteristics and the protocols by which they are calibrated and used will provide adequate assurance that the measurements of the residual radioactivity meet the requirements established for release from further regulatory control.
1.3 This standard is applicable to the in situ measurement of radioactive emissions that include:
1.3.1 alpha
1.3.2 beta (electrons)
1.3.3 gamma
1.3.4 characteristic x-rays
1.3.5 The measurement of neutron emissions is not included as part of this standard.
1.4 This standard dose not address instrumentation used to assess residual radioactivity levels contained in air samples, surface contamination smears, bulk material removals, or half/whole body personnel monitors.
1.5 This standard does not address records retention requirements for calibration, maintenance, etc. as these topics are considered in several of the referenced documents.
1.6 Non-SI units are used and appropriate for this guide as they are industry standard. Mathematical equivalents may be provided in parentheses.
1.7 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.
- Guide27 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide the user information and guidance for preparation of a plan for the surveillance and maintenance of nuclear facilities that have been deactivated and are awaiting D&D.
4.1.1 This document provides guidance for performing S&M in a way that will ensure worker and public safety, while also addressing stakeholder requirements.
4.1.2 Use of this guide helps standardize the basic requirements for S&M of nuclear facilities.
4.2 Use of this guide helps ensure that the S&M plan addresses the significant activities and actions necessary to maintain these facilities in a safe and stable condition until they can be decommissioned.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide outlines a method for developing a Surveillance and Maintenance (S&M) plan for inactive nuclear facilities. It describes the steps and activities necessary to prevent loss or release of radioactive or hazardous materials, and to minimize physical risks between the deactivation phase and the start of facility decontamination and decommissioning (D&D).
1.2 The primary concerns for S&M are related to (1) animal intrusion, (2) structural integrity degradation, (3) water in-leakage, (4) contamination migration, (5) unauthorized personnel entry, and (6) theft/intrusion. This document is intended to serve as a guide only, and is not intended to modify existing regulations.
1.3 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.
- Guide4 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The mechanical properties of steels and other metals are altered by exposure to neutron radiation. These property changes are assumed to be a function of chemical composition, metallurgical condition, temperature, fluence (perhaps also fluence rate), and neutron spectrum. The influence of these variables is not completely understood. The functional dependency between property changes and neutron radiation is summarized in the form of damage exposure parameters that are weighted integrals over the neutron fluence spectrum.
3.2 The evaluation of neutron radiation effects on pressure vessel steels and the determination of safety limits requires the knowledge of uncertainties in the prediction of radiation exposure parameters (for example, dpa (Practice E693), neutron fluence greater than 1.0 MeV, neutron fluence greater than 0.1 MeV, thermal neutron fluence, etc.). This practice describes recommended procedures and data for determining these exposure parameters (and the associated uncertainties) for test reactor experiments.
3.3 The nuclear industry draws much of its information from databases that come from test reactor experiments. Therefore, it is essential that reliable databases are obtained from test reactors to assess safety issues in Light Water Reactor (LWR) nuclear power plants.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the methodology summarized in Annex A1 to be used in the analysis and interpretation of physics-dosimetry results from test reactors.
1.2 This practice relies on, and ties together, the application of several supporting ASTM standard practices, guides, and methods.
1.3 Support subject areas that are discussed include reactor physics calculations, dosimeter selection and analysis, exposure units, and neutron spectrum adjustment methods.
1.4 This practice is directed towards the development and application of physics-dosimetry-metallurgical data obtained from test reactor irradiation experiments that are performed in support of the operation, licensing, and regulation of LWR nuclear power plants. It specifically addresses the physics-dosimetry aspects of the problem. Procedures related to the analysis, interpretation, and application of both test and power reactor physics-dosimetry-metallurgy results are addressed in Practices E185, E853, and E1035, Guides E900, E2005, E2006 and Test Method E646. See also E706.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Standard7 pagesEnglish language
- Standard7 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Use of this guide will ensure that the potential impact on the surrounding environment from planned decommissioning activities has been properly assessed.
5.2 Use of this guide will ensure that the adequacy of environmental sampling has been assessed for location, frequency, analytical techniques, and media type to monitor the environment and to detect site-related releases and their impact.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the development or assessment of environmental monitoring plans for decommissioning nuclear facilities. This guide addresses: (1) development of an environmental baseline prior to commencement of decommissioning activities; (2) determination of release paths from site activities and their associated exposure pathways in the environment; and (3) selection of appropriate sampling locations and media to ensure that all exposure pathways in the environment are monitored appropriately. This guide also addresses the interfaces between the environmental monitoring plan and other planning documents for site decommissioning, such as radiation protection, site characterization, and waste management plans, and federal, state, and local environmental protection laws and guidance. This guide is applicable up to the point of completing D&D activities and the reuse of the facility or area for other purposes.
1.2 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.
- Guide9 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The standardization of decommissioning plans will provide the nuclear facility owner with a greater assurance that all basic planning elements and requirements have been identified, examined, and addressed.
4.2 In applying the guidance contained in this standard, the nuclear facility owner will address the significant subject areas necessary to describe a comprehensive decommissioning plan. Additional guidance on the planning of decommissioning projects, and the preparation of decommissioning plans can be found in such references as NUREG-1757 on decommissioning standard review plans, and Regulatory Guide 1.179 on the format and content of license termination plans. Recent new guidance on all aspects of decommissioning is contained in an ASME publication titled The Decommissioning Handbook.6
4.3 This decommissioning plan will be developed to serve as the executive document that describes the objectives of the decommissioning program and identifies and defines the elements necessary to accomplish the program.
4.4 A detailed implementation plan describing how the objectives of the decommissioning plan will be met should be prepared. Some of the documents or implementation plans that may be required to support the overall decommissioning program include an engineering plan; a cost, schedule, and financing plan (10 CFR 140 and 170); a field implementation plan; a health and safety plan (29 CFR 1910.120, Guide E1167); a quality assurance plan (10 CFR 50.59 and 10 CFR 830.120); an emergency plan; an environmental monitoring plan (Guide E1819); a radiological protection plan (10 CFR 20, 10 CFR 835, Guide E1167); and a physical security plan (10 CFR 73). These implementation plans shall be separate from and consistent with the decommissioning plan.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide applies to decommissioning plans for any nuclear facility whose operation was (is) governed by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Agreement State license, under Department of Energy (DOE) orders, or whose operation was overseen by another federal, state, or local agency.
1.2 The guide applies to the preparation and content of the decommissioning plan document itself.
1.3 The detailed description and development of implementation plans identified in Section 4 is outside the scope of this guide.
Note 1: Nuclear facilities operated by the U.S. DOE are not licensed by the U.S. NRC, nor are other nuclear facilities which may come under the control of the U.S. Department of Defense or individual agreement states. The references in this guide to licensee, U.S. NRC Regulatory guides, and Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations are to imply appropriate alternative nomenclature with respect to DOE, DOD, or agreement state nuclear facilities. This distinction should not alter the content of decommissioning plans for nuclear facilities.
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.
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.
- Guide6 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Knowledge of the nature and extent of contamination in a nuclear facility to be decommissioned is crucial to choosing the optimum methods for decontamination and decommissioning, and estimating the resulting waste volumes and personnel exposures. Implementing a characterization plan, developed in accordance with this standard, will result in obtaining or deriving the above information.
5.2 Information on the proposed decommissioning methods, waste volumes, and estimated personnel radiation exposures can be used to define the overall work scope, costs, schedules, and manpower needs for the decommissioning project. This information may be included in the Decommissioning Plan. The extent of over- or under-estimating these project parameters will be a function of the sampling plan and statistical designs, described in Sections 6.1.4 and 6.1.5.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard guide applies to developing nuclear facility characterization plans to define the type, magnitude, location, and extent of radiological and chemical contamination within the facility to allow decommissioning planning. This guide amplifies guidance regarding facility characterization indicated in ASTM Standard E1281 on Nuclear Facility Decommissioning Plans. This guide does not address the methodology necessary to release a facility or site for unconditional use. This guide specifically addresses:
1.1.1 the data quality objective for characterization as an initial step in decommissioning planning.
1.1.2 sampling methods,
1.1.3 the logic involved (statistical design) to ensure adequate characterization for decommissioning purposes; and
1.1.4 essential documentation of the characterization information.
1.2 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.
1.3 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.
- Guide4 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Division of the Co-60 Hardness Testing into Five Parts:
4.1.1 The equilibrium absorbed dose shall be measured with a dosimeter, such as a TLD, located adjacent to the device under test. Alternatively, a dosimeter may be irradiated in the position of the device before or after irradiation of the device.
4.1.2 This absorbed dose measured by the dosimeter shall be converted to the equilibrium absorbed dose in the material of interest within the critical region within the device under test, for example the SiO2 gate oxide of an MOS device.
4.1.3 A correction for absorbed-dose enhancement effects shall be considered. This correction is dependent upon the photon energy that strikes the device under test.
4.1.4 A correlation should be made between the absorbed dose in the critical region (for example, the gate oxide mentioned in 4.1.2) and some electrically important effect (such as charge trapped at the Si/SiO2 interface as manifested by a shift in threshold voltage).
4.1.5 An extrapolation should then be made from the results of the test to the results that would be expected for the device under test under actual operating conditions.
Note 5: The parts of a test discussed in 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 are the subject of this practice. The subject of 4.1.1 is covered and referenced in other standards such as Practice E668 and ICRU Report 14. The parts of a test discussed in 4.1.4 and 4.1.5 are outside the scope of this practice.
4.2 Low-Energy Components in the Spectrum—Some of the primary Co-60 gamma rays (1.17 and 1.33 MeV) produce lower energy photons by Compton scattering within the Co-60 source structure, within materials that lie between the source and the device under test, and within materials that lie beyond the device but contribute to backscattering. As a result of the complexity of these effects, the photon energy spectrum striking the device usually is not well known. This point is further discussed in Section 5 and Appendix X1. The presence of ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers recommended procedures for the use of dosimeters, such as thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's), to determine the absorbed dose in a region of interest within an electronic device irradiated using a Co-60 source. Co-60 sources are commonly used for the absorbed dose testing of silicon electronic devices.
Note 1: This absorbed-dose testing is sometimes called “total dose testing” to distinguish it from “dose rate testing.”
Note 2: The effects of ionizing radiation on some types of electronic devices may depend on both the absorbed dose and the absorbed dose rate; that is, the effects may be different if the device is irradiated to the same absorbed-dose level at different absorbed-dose rates. Absorbed-dose rate effects are not covered in this practice but should be considered in radiation hardness testing.
1.2 The principal potential error for the measurement of absorbed dose in electronic devices arises from non-equilibrium energy deposition effects in the vicinity of material interfaces.
1.3 Information is given about absorbed-dose enhancement effects in the vicinity of material interfaces. The sensitivity of such effects to low energy components in the Co-60 photon energy spectrum is emphasized.
1.4 A brief description is given of typical Co-60 sources with special emphasis on the presence of low energy components in the photon energy spectrum output from such sources.
1.5 Procedures are given for minimizing the low energy components of the photon energy spectrum from Co-60 sources, using filtration. The use of a filter box to achieve such filtration is recommended.
1.6 Information is given on absorbed-dose enhancement effects that are dependent on the device orientation with respect to the Co-60 source.
1.7 The use of spectrum filtration and appropriate device orientation provides a radiation environment whereby the absorbed dose in the sensitive region of an elect...
- Standard17 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A waste management plan based on the contents of this guide will provide for the successful identification of potential waste streams anticipated from decommissioning activities, and provide a clear and concise methodology for the handling of identified waste from generation to final disposition.
4.2 The waste management plan will identify the general waste types, characterization, packaging, transportation, disposal, and quality assurance requirements for potential waste streams.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide addresses the development of waste management plans for potential waste streams resulting from decommissioning activities at nuclear facilities, including identifying, categorizing, and handling the waste from generation to final disposal.
1.2 This guide is applicable to potential waste streams anticipated from decommissioning activities of nuclear facilities whose operations were governed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or Agreement State license, under Department of Energy (DOE) Orders, or Department of Defense (DoD) regulations.
1.3 This guide provides a description of the key elements of waste management plans that if followed will successfully allow for the characterization, packaging, transportation, and off-site treatment or disposal, or both, of conventional, hazardous, and radioactive waste streams.
1.4 This guide does not address the on-site treatment, long term storage, or on-site disposal of these potential waste streams.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Guide6 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The absorbed dose is a more meaningful parameter than exposure for use in relating the effects of radiation on materials. It expresses the energy absorbed by the irradiated material per unit mass, whereas exposure is related to the amount of charge produced in air per unit mass. Absorbed dose, as referred to here, implies that the measurement is made under conditions of charged particle (electron) equilibrium (see Appendix X1). In practice, such conditions are not rigorously achievable but, under some circumstances, can be approximated closely.
4.2 Different materials, when exposed to the same radiation field, absorb different amounts of energy. Using the techniques of this standard, charged particle equilibrium must exist in order to relate the absorbed dose in one material to the absorbed dose in another. Also, if the radiation is attenuated by a significant thickness of an absorber, the energy spectrum of the radiation will be changed, and it will be necessary to correct for this.
Note 1: For comprehensive discussions of various dosimetry methods applicable to the radiation types and energies and absorbed dose rate ranges discussed in this method, see ICRU Reports 34 and 80.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice presents a technique for calculating the absorbed dose in a material from knowledge of the radiation field, the composition of the material, (1-5)2,3 and a related measurement. The procedure is applicable for X and gamma radiation provided the energy of the photons fall within the range from 0.01 to 20 MeV.
1.2 A method is given for calculating the absorbed dose in a material from the knowledge of the absorbed dose in another material exposed to the same radiation field. The procedure is restricted to homogeneous materials composed of the elements for which absorption coefficients have been tabulated. All 92 natural elements are tabulated in (2). It also requires some knowledge of the energy spectrum of the radiation field produced by the source under consideration. Generally, the accuracy of this method is limited by the accuracy to which the energy spectrum of the radiation field is known.
1.3 The results of this practice are only valid if charged particle equilibrium exists in the material and at the depth of interest. Thus, this practice is not applicable for determining absorbed dose in the immediate vicinity of boundaries between materials of widely differing atomic numbers. For more information on this topic, see Practice E1249.
1.4 Energy transport computer codes4 exist that are formulated to calculate absorbed dose in materials more precisely than this method. To use these codes, more effort, time, and expense are required. If the situation warrants, such calculations should be used rather than the method described here.
1.5 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.
1.6 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.
- Standard9 pagesEnglish language
- Standard9 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 A program based on this guide will provide assurance to all concerned that the appropriate elements of radiation safety have been included to protect workers, the general public, and the environment in proximity to the decommissioning activities.
4.2 Implementation of such a program will provide assurance to those agencies responsible for review or audit of the decommissioning project that the requirements for radiation protection have been addressed.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides instruction to the individual charged with the responsibility for developing and implementing the radiation protection program for decommissioning operations.
1.2 This guide provides a basis for the user to develop radiation protection program documentation that will support both the radiological engineering and radiation safety aspects of the decommissioning project.
1.3 This guide presents a description of those elements that should be addressed in a specific radiation protection plan for each decommissioning project. The plan would, in turn, form the basis for development of the implementation procedures that execute the intent of the plan.
1.4 This guide applies to the development of radiation protection programs established to control exposures to radiation and radioactive materials associated with the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. The intent of this guide is to supplement existing radiation protection programs as they may pertain to decommissioning workers, members of the general public and the environment by describing the basic elements of a radiation protection program for decommissioning operations.
1.5 This guide defines the elements of a radiation protection program that will ensure that the goals and objectives of a decommissioning activity are attained within the radiological limits and restrictions imposed by applicable governing and regulating agencies. The implementation of such a program will provide radiological protection to personnel and the environment. This guide should be used for developing the documentation that defines the intent and implementation of the radiation protection program for a specific decommissioning project.
1.6 The Radiation Protection Program should address the following elements (see Note 1). This program shall be developed and maintained such that it satisfies all applicable Quality Assurance requirements developed for the decommissioning project.
Note 1: If the site to be decommissioned is adjacent to an operating site, the radiological impact of the operating site must be considered in the development of the Radiation Protection Program for the decommissioning site.
1.7 This guide does not address the subjects of emergency preparedness, safeguards, accountability, waste handling, storage, and transportation. Each of these issues has a direct interface with the radiation protection program. However, each constitutes a program in and of itself from program definition through implementation.
1.8 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.
1.9 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.
- Guide8 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide describes approaches for using neutron fields with well known characteristics to perform calibrations of neutron sensors, to intercompare different methods of dosimetry, and to corroborate procedures used to derive neutron field information from measurements of neutron sensor response.
3.2 This guide discusses only selected standard and reference neutron fields which are appropriate for benchmark testing of light-water reactor dosimetry. The Standard Fields considered here include neutron source environments that closely approximate: a) the unscattered neutron spectra from 252Cf spontaneous fission; and b) the 235U thermal neutron induced fission. These standard fields were chosen for their spectral similarity to the high energy region (E > 2 MeV) of reactor spectra. The various categories of benchmark fields are defined in Terminology E170.
3.3 There are other well known neutron fields that have been designed to mockup special environments, such as pressure vessel mockups in which it is possible to make dosimetry measurements inside of the steel volume of the “vessel.” When such mockups are suitably characterized, they are also referred to as benchmark fields. A variety of these engineering benchmark fields have been developed, or pressed into service, to improve the accuracy of neutron dosimetry measurement techniques. These special benchmark experiments are discussed in Guide E2006, and in Refs (1)4 and (2).
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers facilities and procedures for benchmarking neutron measurements and calculations. Particular sections of the guide discuss: the use of well-characterized benchmark neutron fields to calibrate integral neutron sensors; the use of certified-neutron-fluence standards to calibrate radiometric counting equipment or to determine interlaboratory measurement consistency; development of special benchmark fields to test neutron transport calculations; use of well-known fission spectra to benchmark spectrum-averaged cross sections; and the use of benchmarked data and calculations to determine the uncertainties in derived neutron dosimetry results.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Guide6 pagesEnglish language
- Guide6 pagesEnglish language
ABSTRACT
This guide covers the general procedures to be considered (as well as the demonstration of their effectiveness) for conducting in-service thermal anneals of light-water moderated nuclear reactor vessels. The purpose of this in-service annealing (heat treatment) is to improve the mechanical properties, especially fracture toughness, of the reactor vessel materials previously degraded by neutron embrittlement. This guide is designed to accommodate the variable response of reactor-vessel materials in post-irradiation annealing at various temperatures and different time periods, as well as to provide direction for the development of a vessel annealing procedure and a post-annealing vessel radiation surveillance program. Guidelines are provided to determine the post-anneal reference nil-ductility transition temperature (RTNDT), the Charpy V-notch upper shelf energy level, fracture toughness properties, and the predicted reembrittlement trend for these properties for reactor vessel beltline materials.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Reactor vessels made of ferritic steels are designed with the expectation of progressive changes in material properties resulting from in-service neutron exposure. In the operation of light-water-cooled nuclear power reactors, changes in pressure-temperature (P – T) limits are made periodically during service life to account for the effects of neutron radiation on the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature material properties. If the degree of neutron embrittlement becomes large, the restrictions on operation during normal heat-up and cool down may become severe. Additional consideration should be given to postulated events, such as pressurized thermal shock (PTS). A reduction in the upper shelf toughness also occurs from neutron exposure, and this decrease may reduce the margin of safety against ductile fracture. When it appears that these situations could develop, certain alternatives are available that reduce the problem or postpone the time at which plant restrictions must be considered. One of these alternatives is to thermally anneal the reactor vessel beltline region, that is, to heat the beltline region to a temperature sufficiently above the normal operating temperature to recover a significant portion of the original fracture toughness and other material properties that were degraded as a result of neutron embrittlement.
3.2 Preparation and planning for an in-service anneal should begin early so that pertinent information can be obtained to guide the annealing operation. Sufficient time should be allocated to evaluate the expected benefits in operating life to be gained by annealing; to evaluate the annealing method to be employed; to perform the necessary system studies and stress evaluations; to evaluate the expected annealing recovery and reembrittlement behavior; to develop and functionally test such equipment as may be required to do the in-service annealing; and, to train personnel to perform the anneal.
3.3 Selection of the annealing te...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the general procedures for conducting an in-service thermal anneal of a light-water moderated nuclear reactor vessel and demonstrating the effectiveness of the procedure. The purpose of this in-service annealing (heat treatment) is to improve the mechanical properties, especially fracture toughness, of the reactor vessel materials previously degraded by neutron embrittlement. The improvement in mechanical properties generally is assessed using Charpy V-notch impact test results, or alternatively, fracture toughness test results or inferred toughness property changes from tensile, hardness, indentation, or other miniature specimen testing (1).2
1.2 This guide is designed to accommodate the variable response of reactor-vessel materials in post-irradiation annealing at various temperatures and different time periods. Certain inherent limiting factors must be considered in developing an annealing...
- Guide12 pagesEnglish language
- Guide12 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Although Co-60 nuclei only emit monoenergetic gamma rays at 1.17 and 1.33 MeV, the finite thickness of sources, and encapsulation materials and other surrounding structures that are inevitably present in irradiators can contribute a substantial amount of low-energy gamma radiation, principally by Compton scattering (1, 2).3 In radiation-hardness testing of electronic devices this low-energy photon component of the gamma spectrum can introduce significant dosimetry errors for a device under test since the equilibrium absorbed dose as measured by a dosimeter can be quite different from the absorbed dose deposited in the device under test because of absorbed dose enhancement effects (3, 4). Absorbed dose enhancement effects refer to the deviations from equilibrium absorbed dose caused by non-equilibrium electron transport near boundaries between dissimilar materials.
4.2 The ionization chamber technique described in this method provides an easy means for estimating the importance of the low-energy photon component of any given irradiator type and configuration.
4.3 When there is an appreciable low-energy spectral component present in a particular irradiator configuration, special experimental techniques should be used to ensure that dosimetry measurements adequately represent the absorbed dose in the device under test. (See Practice E1249.)
SCOPE
1.1 Low energy components in the photon energy spectrum of Co-60 irradiators lead to absorbed dose enhancement effects in the radiation-hardness testing of silicon electronic devices. These low energy components may lead to errors in determining the absorbed dose in a specific device under test. This method covers procedures for the use of a specialized ionization chamber to determine a figure of merit for the relative importance of such effects. It also gives the design and instructions for assembling this chamber.
1.2 This method is applicable to measurements in Co-60 radiation fields where the range of exposure rates is 7 × 10 −6 to 3 × 10−2 C kg −1 s−1 (approximately 100 R/h to 100 R/s). For guidance in applying this method to radiation fields where the exposure rate is >100 R/s, see Appendix X1.
Note 1: See Terminology E170 for definition of exposure and its units.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
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.
- Standard10 pagesEnglish language
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The safety margins provided in the design for a component or structure can be reduced throughout its service life by aging. Aging is the process by which the physical and mechanical characteristics of component or structure materials change with time or use; this process may proceed by a single aging mechanism or a combination of several aging mechanisms.
4.2 The term “safety margin” is used in a broad sense, meaning the safety state (that is, integrity and functional capability) of components in excess of their normal operational requirements (1).3
4.3 The determination of mechanical properties such as yield strength, tensile strength, and ductile-to-brittle transition temperature of structural components is, hence, desirable for optimization of operating procedures and inspection intervals, as well as repair strategies and residual lifetime assessment. Current standardized mechanical tests require relatively large volumes of test material that cannot be extracted from in-service equipment without post-sampling removal repair (2).
4.4 The need to obtain estimates of the mechanical properties of components without post-sampling removal repair has led to the development of small punch (SP) test techniques based on penetration/bulge tests of miniaturized test specimens (often disk-shaped, or square) (3, 4, 5). It can be considered as a quasi-nondestructive technique because of the very limited amount of material to be sampled. It is an efficient and cost-effective technique and has the potential to provide estimates of the material properties of the specific component, identifying the present state of damage and focusing on the most critical (most stressed, most damaged) locations in the component. Examples of empirical correlations that have been established between small punch test results and mechanical properties for specific classes of materials are provided in Appendix X1.
4.5 This test method can be also used for identifying the most suitable ma...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers procedures for conducting the small punch deformation test for metallic materials. The results can be used to derive estimates of yield and tensile strength up to 450 °C, and estimates of the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature from the results of small punch bulge tests in the temperature range from -193 °C to 350 °C for iron based materials or 0.4 Tm for other metallic materials, where Tm is their melting temperature in K.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
1.4 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.
- Standard12 pagesEnglish language
Frequently Asked Questions
E10 is a Technical Committee within ASTM International. It is named "Nuclear Technology and Applications" and is responsible for: To promote the advancement of nuclear science and technology and the safe application of energy by: 1) Standardizing measurement techniques and specifications for radiation effects and dosimetry including materials response, instrument response, and fuel burnup. 2) Standardizing the nomenclature and definitions used in or relating to testing methods or instruments in support of nuclear industry. 3) Maintaining a broad expertise in application of nuclear science and technology especially the measurement of radiation effects from environments of nuclear reactor, particle accelerators, indigenous space, spacecraft, and radionuclides. 4) Maintaining a broad expertise in the applications of radionuclides. 5) Sponsoring scientific and technical symposia and publications in the Committee's fields of specialization. 6) Performing liaison with related ASTM committees and other technical societies and organizations, both national and international. Advising other technical committees of the Society in our field of expertise. This committee has published 447 standards.
E10 develops ASTM standards in the area of Information technology. The scope of work includes: To promote the advancement of nuclear science and technology and the safe application of energy by: 1) Standardizing measurement techniques and specifications for radiation effects and dosimetry including materials response, instrument response, and fuel burnup. 2) Standardizing the nomenclature and definitions used in or relating to testing methods or instruments in support of nuclear industry. 3) Maintaining a broad expertise in application of nuclear science and technology especially the measurement of radiation effects from environments of nuclear reactor, particle accelerators, indigenous space, spacecraft, and radionuclides. 4) Maintaining a broad expertise in the applications of radionuclides. 5) Sponsoring scientific and technical symposia and publications in the Committee's fields of specialization. 6) Performing liaison with related ASTM committees and other technical societies and organizations, both national and international. Advising other technical committees of the Society in our field of expertise. Currently, there are 447 published standards from this technical committee.
ASTM is a standardization organization that develops and publishes standards to support industry, commerce, and regulatory requirements.
A Technical Committee (TC) in ASTM is a group of experts responsible for developing international standards in a specific technical area. TCs are composed of national member body delegates and work through consensus to create standards that meet global industry needs. Each TC may have subcommittees (SCs) and working groups (WGs) for specialized topics.