Determination of alumina in sintered aluminium powder by activation with 14-MeV neutrons

Fast neutrons of 14 MeV produced in the IMICAM CISE 150-kV generator by the (d, t) reaction in a tritium-titanium target, were used in the indirect determination of Al(2)O(3). The samples were irradiated for 30 sec and the total (16)N activity was determined, by counting for ten 2-sec periods and graphically integrating. The standards were a known sintered aluminium powder and nylon pieces of identical shape. The method is competitive with the chemical one, because of its quickness, sensitivity and precision.