Reference materials for nuclear waste investigation

A primary ingredient for success of any systematic investigation utilizing well defined test programs is the availability of high quality well characterized test materials representative of the product and conditions under investigation. The Materials Characterization Center at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) has responsibility for the formulation, acquisition, characterization and distribution of reference and testing materials suitable foe common use in US nuclear waste repository development programs. The materials now available from MCC for this purpose have been obtained either by production in PNL laboratory, by acquisition of existing well-documented material, or by special order to glass industry specialists. Intensive characterization of these materials has been conducted for MCC in analytical laboratories of PNL and at National Bureau of Standards (NBS), Schott Optical Co., Westinghouse-Hanford, EG and G Idaho, and/or EXXON Nuclear Idaho. Statistical methods are being utilized in designing sampling procedures and evaluating analytical data for the characterization. These standard materials are currently available in two classifications: (1) Approved Reference Materials (ARMs) are to be used for test reference and calibration, similar to the SRMs of NBS. (2) Approved Testing Materials (ARMs) include specific waste of two types, waste glass and spent fuel. ARM1 is available in reasonable quantity uponmore » request and without charge. The other radioactive reference and testing materials are available to authorized investigators. These materials normally are provided in the form in which they were produced, e.g., glass as cast bars. Inquiries should be directed to the MCC at PNL.« less