Determination of carbon in stainless steel and plutonium using infrared detection of carbon dioxide

Carbon in stainless steel and plutonium metal in the 3-1000 ppm range is burned at 13000C in a stream of purified oxygen and the carbon dioxide produced is quantified by integrating the signal from an infrared detector. The relative standard deviation is 10% or better. This method is approximately five times faster than the conventional manometric method and is equally accurate and precise. Use of a platinum resistance furnace makes the method more suitable for glove boxes or shielded enclosures than methods requiring inductively heated furnaces. (Auth.)