The determination of oxygen in uranium carbide with new sample preparation method is described. To prevent the oxygen contamination of chemically reactive uranium carbide, it is sealed air-tight in a platinum capsule in an argon-atmosphere glove box containing less than 1 ppm of both oxygen and water vapor. The capsule is then transferred into an air-atmosphere glove box, and the oxygen determination is made by inert gas fusion-coulometry.
Oxygen analysis by this method was made for the analyzed uranium carbide sample and about half value was obtained. The reason may be in the difference of the procedure of determination described. The oxygen contamination is kept lower by the method, and the determination of oxygen in carbide fuel can be performed precisely.