A conductivity method for combined carbon and free carbon determination in uranium carbide

Abstract

A conductivity method based on differential temperature oxidation of combined carbon and free carbon has been worked out for their determination in uranium carbide employing purified air for oxidation. The combined carbon determined at 550°C and free carbon at 900°C were found to be 4.58% and 0.27% with a precision of 2% and 11%, respectively. The free carbon determined by the present method and that by dissolution followed by conductivity method agreed within ±5%. Effect of temperature and time on the oxidation of free carbon /taken as graphite/ in air atmosphere was also studied.