Antimony Beryllium (SbBe) Pellets.

 

QSA Global, Inc. has decades of experience designing and manufacturing Antimony-Beryllium (SbBe) pellets for fuel manufacturers like Westinghouse® and Framatome® worldwide.

SbBe pellets are a fast secondary neutron source used to safely and smoothly start nuclear power plants. QSA Global, Inc. mixes antimony and beryllium into a homogenous blend and presses them to form uniform Sb/Be pellets. We then load these pellets into pellet stacks and perform a series of quality control tests to ensure the highest quality.

Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001 certified and provides full traceability, complying with all audits, customer inspections, and USNRC regulations.

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Distinctive SbBe Integrity Testing

 

 

Blend Testing

During the manufacturing process, QSA Global, Inc. weighs the antimony and beryllium raw material batches separately.  We combine the materials per your requirements and mix them continuously for at least 24 hours to ensure a homogenous solution. Then we send it out to a third-party lab for testing to ensure we have the appropriate blend of the SbBe.

In-House Moisture Testing

We perform in-house testing using gravimetric analysis before we release each lot of SbBe.  We start by weighing the SbBe pellet.  The pellet is then put into an oven, where it is heated for 24 hours.  After 24 hours, we remove the SbBe and weigh it again, looking at the delta to ensure moisture specifications are met. 

SbBe FAQs

 
  • What are SbBe pellets used for?

    SbBe pellets are a fast secondary neutron source used to safely and smoothly start nuclear power plants.

  • Does QSA Global, Inc. manufacture SbBe pellets to customer specifications?

    Yes. QSA Global, Inc. offers contract manufacturing services and can help design SbBe pellets to your unique specifications.

  • Do you perform SbBe quality control testing?

    Yes. We perform a series of tests throughout our SbBe manufacturing process.  A couple of the critical tests we perform are:

    Blend testing:  We weigh the antimony and beryllium raw material separately.  We mix it continuously for 24 hours to ensure we have a homogenous solution. Then we send it out to a third-party lab for testing to ensure moisture specifications are met.

    In-house moisture testing:  We perform in-house testing using gravimetric analysis before we release each lot of SbBe.  We start by weighing the SbBe pellet.  The pellet is then put into an oven, where it is heated for 24 hours.  After 24 hours, we remove the SbBe and weigh it again, looking at the delta to check the moisture level. 

  • Can my company conduct our own SbBe lot inspections and audits?

    Yes. You may conduct lot inspections and audits.  We understand that you need full traceability. Our SbBe pellets are manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified facility, and we comply with all regulatory inspections. 

  • How do you control the moisture content in the SbBe pellets?

    QSA Global, Inc. manufactures SbBe pellets in a moisture-controlled glove box in a controlled environment. Upon request, we can also provide a desiccant pack at the end of the Sb/Be stacks if they are exposed to moisture during storage.

  • Do you provide a quality package/dossier?

    Yes. QSA Global, Inc. provides a dossier that encompasses every step of the process, from the raw material to the final inspection and everything in between. Our regulatory department ensures SbBe manufacturing/QC record retention, so you always have full traceability.

Sb/Be Use Case.

See how Westinghouse uses Sb/Be pellets to create exceptional SSAs.

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Formerly known as Amersham Corporation and AEA Technology, QSA Global, Inc. is the original equipment manufacturer of Am-241, Am-241/Be, Cf-252, Cs-137, and Co-60 industrial sealed radioactive sources.