JRC releases IRMM-1027t and IRMM-1027u –a new type of Large-Sized Dried spike reference material as fundamental part of fissile material control

European Nuclear Safeguards aims to verify and control declared fissile materials such as uranium and plutonium at nuclear facilities as stipulated in the Euratom Treaty.

The European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) has a clear mandate to support EURATOM and international safeguards by providing quality control materials for fissile material control of irradiated nuclear fuel. At the EURATOM safeguards laboratories, the IRMM-1027 Large-Sized Dried spike (LSD) series are used for physical verification measurements. They are certified reference materials (CRM) applied to measure the uranium and plutonium concentration of the spent fuel solutions by Isotope Dilution Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ID-TIMS). IRMM-1027t and IRMM-1027u are the two recently LSD spikes prepared in large batches under rigorous conditions in compliance with ISO 17034:2016, and certified in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2017.

Each unit is certified for ²³⁵U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁹Pu mass and uranium and plutonium isotope amount ratios as dried nitrates.

For transport and long-term stability purposes, so called fixing agents are applied on the dried spike materials. These two batches are particular ones, as the spike materials are for the first time embedded in recently developed matrices, namely either in cellulose acetate butyrate containing dioctyl phtalate (CAB/DOP) thin layer or in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) foam. These novel fixing matrices are the outcome of the successful JRC exploratory research project on Innovative nuclear certified reference materials (CRM) for EURATOM safeguards and industry (INS-CRM). Read the INS-CRM exploratory research (ER) project

The preparation and certification of IRMM-1027t and IRMM-127u are described in detail in the certification report, available together with the certificate in the online Certified reference materials catalogue.

View the certification report : Preparation and Certification of Large-Sized Dried (LSD) Spike – IRMM-1027t on EU Science Hub

View the certification report : Preparation and Certification of Large-Size Dried (LSD) Spike: IRMM-1027u on EU Science Hub