The purpose of this study was an inter-laboratory comparison by two internationally known nuclear analytical laboratories focusing on the characterization of nuclear fuel in nuclear forensic investigations. The sample chosen for analysis using complete analytical and nuclear forensic protocols was certified reference material (CRM) 124-3 from New Brunswick Laboratory. Data clearly shows that both laboratories generate quality uranium assay and isotopic data regardless of what method is used. Agreement between quantitative and qualitative description of morphological attributes were observed by both the laboratories along with the lexicon used to describe those features. However, the minor differences that were observed could be traced back to sampling and mounting techniques used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at the two laboratories. This project identified several areas for improvement on identifying mounting techniques that enhance identification of material properties in a uniform way, ISO GUM calculations, and trace-element methodologies.

Results of an international interlaboratory comparison of NBL CRM 124-3 material

251st National Meeting (2016)

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