ASTM C1672-17

1.1 This method describes the determination of the isotopic composition, or the concentration, or both, of uranium and plutonium as nitrate solutions by the total evaporation method using a thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) instrument. Purified uranium or plutonium nitrate solutions are deposited onto a metal filament and placed in the mass spectrometer. Under computer control, ion currents are generated by heating of the filament(s). The ion currents are continually measured until the whole sample is exhausted. The measured ion currents are integrated over the course of the measurement and normalized to a reference isotope ion current to yield isotope ratios.