DETERMINATION OF IRON IN NUCLEAR GRADE ZIRCONIUM-OXIDE BY X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY USING AN INTERNAL INTENSITY REFERENCE

Iron forms an important constituent of zirconium alloys that are speci ally chosen for the fabrication of nuclear reactor core components. Th e concentration of iron in intermediate products is closely monitored during the manufacture of these alloys starting from the chemical proc essing of the ore zircon. In order to accomplish this, an x-ray fluore scence spectrometric technique using an internal ratio method has been developed for the determination of iron in the range of 10 mu g g(-1) to 2500 mu g g(-1) in zirconium oxide, an intermediate product which is the feed material for the production of zirconium sponge and furthe r to zircaloy. The method involves direct measurement of Fe K alpha an d second order Zr K alpha intensities of loose as well as compacted po wders. Results are precise within < 1.0% R.S.D.