The time projection chamber (TPC) is based on detailed recording of particle ionization processes and can achieve three-dimensional measurement of particle tracks. Therefore, it has broad application prospects in fission cross section measurement. This paper introduces a TPC for measuring fission cross sections and tests the particle identification ability of this detector using a252Cf source. The measured branching ratio of α/SF is very close to the standard value, with a relative error of 3.83%. •This work tests the particle identification ability of a new type of TPC detector using a 252Cf source.•This work introduces an algorithm for TPC particle track reconstruction.•We use this detector to measure the α/SF branching ratio of 252Cf , with an error of 3.83 compared to the reference value.