ASTM D2539-93(2001)

Standard Test Method for Shock Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants by the Card-Gap Test (Withdrawn 2003)

SCOPE
1.1 In considering the handling properties of a liquid propellant, serious consideration is given to the possibility of hazard initiated by hydrodynamic shock. The consequences of such a shock may include: (1) nonpropagating explosion, (2) propagating but low-velocity detonation, and (3) propagating high-velocity detonation. All three are hazards; the test described herein is useful for one hazard only, namely propagating high-velocity detonation.
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-1993
• Withdrawal Date: 21-Oct-2003
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: F07 - Aerospace and Aircraft
• Drafting Committee: F07.90 - Executive

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2539-93 - Standard Test Method for Shock Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants by the Card-Gap Test
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-1993

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 2539 – 93 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Shock Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants by the Card-
1
Gap Test
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2539; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope as the number of cards required to attenuate the booster shock
just enough that the liquid detonates in 50 % of the trials. For
1.1 In considering the handling properties of a liquid pro-
an unknown liquid, 15 to 25 shots (requiring up to 1000 mL of
pellant, serious consideration is given to the possibility of
liquid) can be needed to define its sensitivity value. Because of
hazard initiated by hydrodynamic shock. The consequences of
the destructive nature of the test, a sufficient supply of
such a shock may include: (1) nonpropagating explosion, (2)
expendable parts must be available before a sensitivity deter-
propagating but low-velocity detonation, and (3) propagating
mination is attempted.
high-velocity detonation. All three are hazards; the test de-
2.2 The card-gap test described is a measure of the hydro-
scribed herein is useful for one hazard only, namely propagat-
dynamic shock required to produce a stable, high-velocity
ing high-velocity detonation.
2 detonation in a 1-in. standard steel pipe. Because of the large
1.2 This standard should be used to measure and describe
sample size subjected to this detonability test, the test is not to
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
be done in the laboratory. The advantages of the card-gap test
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
are its practical scale, reproducibility, and moderate material
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
cost. The interpretation of results of the test is a matter of
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
considerable judgment. While a propellant may show a low
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
sensitivity in the card-gap test, this does not preclude the
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
possibility of other dangers. On the other hand, a very high
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
card-gap sensitivity does not always preclude the usability of
hazard of a particular end use.
such a liquid propellant, since it is possible that suitable
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
engineering design can incorporate preventative measures
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
against propagation of detonation. It is known that the degree
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of confinement, size, and material of the container, among
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
other parameters, influence detonation propagation; therefore,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
the results of any specific test may be highly apparatus-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
dependent.
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
NOTE 1—Gap tests for determining explosive sensitivity are new. A
technique of using paper cards for the gap materials and steep pipe for
2. Summary of Test Method
containers was developed in England at the Explosives Research and
Development Establishment. The version described herein is essentially
2.1 This test method gives an evaluation of the sensitivity of
the Naval Ordnance Laboratory modification. The test is valuable because
a high-energy liquid propellant in terms of a stack of plastic
it yields reproducible data and it has been found that results of different
cards inserted between a sample of liquid and a standard
investigators show close agreement.
booster charge of high explosive. The sensitivity value is taken
3. Significance and Use
3.1 The property measured is the tendency of a propellant to
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F07 on
undergo a high-order detonation when subjected to a given
Aerospace and Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F07.90 on
Executive.
hydrodynamic shock. One limitation of the test is the difficulty
Current edition approved March 15, 1993. Published May 1993. Originally
of applying it to materials under conditions where the vapor
published as D 2539 – 66 T. Last previous edition D 2539 – 70 (1980).
2 pressure exceeds 1 atm.
This test method is identical in substance with the Card Gap Test for Shock
Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants recommended by the Interage
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