Direct determination of niobium in uranium-niobium alloys

An x-ray fluorescence procedure was devised for analyzing niobium in uranium-niobium alloys, which completely eliminates wet chemical preparation of samples. This was accomplished by pressing turnings into compacts and determining niobium and uranium intensities on the surface of the compact. Standards were prepared by relating x-ray intensity data to precisely selected samples analyzed by a wet chemical procedure. The statistical variability in niobium results has been reduced to the level where meaningful correlations are obtained when an arc melted ingot is sectioned and analyzed. In addition to the above benefits, a time savings by a factor of 3 or greater has been realized