Determination of zirconium in U−Zr−Al and Pu−Zr−Al alloys by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract

An isotope dilution thermal ionization mass-spectrometric (ID-TIMS) method is described for the determination of Zr in U−Zr−Al and Pu−Zr−Al alloy samples. Problems encountered in the chemical exchange between the zirconium isotopes in the spike and sample, particularly Pu−Zr−Al samples, are discussed and a method has been standardized to eliminate it. Separation of Zr from U, Pu and Al was achieved by employing ion exchange procedures. A precision of better than 1% is possible in the determination of Zr with the method reported here.