A new standard specification for uranium metal intended for research reactor fuel fabrication

The American Society of Standards and Testing Materials (ASTM) Committee C- 26 on Nuclear Fuel Cycle released the final standard specification for low enriched uranium metal for the use in Research Reactor Fuel Fabrication in mid 2001. This specification is the result of discussions between members of different companies and organizations dealing with research reactor uranium or fuel production for research reactors. The specification is a consensus, typical for all ASTM specifications, reflecting the material and interests of all participants of the fuel cycle of research reactor uranium. It has been achieved that all uranium, independent from where it was obtained is defined as commercial grade enriched uranium metal and shall be treated under the same specification C 1462. Both, 'buyer' and 'seller' could now refer to this specification with a simple reference number in order to define their requirements more easily. (author)