Nondestructive Determination of Tungsten with Be-D Neutron Activation Analysis Using Bromine as Internal Standard

Abstract

A rapid and nondestructive method is required for the determination of tungsten in various compounds. We have studied fast-neutron activation analysis for this purpose, because the existing techniques are time-consuming. The short-lived 183mW formed by the process 73mW has proved to be utili satisfactorily for this method. The lowering of its precision due to -Able variations in experimental conditions, especially to the fluctuation of the neutron flux during the irradiation, has been found to be minimized by the use of bromine as an internal standard material. Since the half-life of formed by the process Br(n, n')7'rnBr is a the same as that of 1. W, the induced activities of the both nuclides can be regarded as pr.- ional regardless!, of the experimental conditions. In the five-cycle irradiation met a straight line has been obtained as a calibration curve for tungsten contents from 50 to 200mg, with the relative error of less than 2.0%. This technique will provide a useful method for the determination of tungsten.