Activation Analysis of Sodium and Potassium in Solid Propellants

Neutron activation analysis has been used to detect trace amounts of sodium and potassium in solid rocket propellants containing aluminum. The technique followed employs a water-pool reactor to irradiate the samples with thermal neutrons, and utilizes gamma-ray spectroscopy to nonde-structively analyze the samples for trace impurities. This technique permits precise and accurate determination of sodium and potassium in solid propellants containing as much as 20% aluminum.