ASTM D2540-93(2001)

Standard Test Method for Drop-Weight Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants (Withdrawn 2003)

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the sensitivity of liquid monopropellants to the impact of a drop weight.
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• Status: Withdrawn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: 02-Nov-2003
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: F07 - Aerospace and Aircraft
• Drafting Committee: F07.90 - Executive

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2540-93 - Standard Test Method for Drop-Weight Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants
• Effective Date: 15-Mar-1993
• Referred By: ASTM E680-79(2018) - Standard Test Method for Drop Weight Impact Sensitivity of Solid-Phase Hazardous Materials
• 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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.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 2540 – 93 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
1
Drop-Weight Sensitivity of Liquid Monopropellants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2540; 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
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the
sensitivity of liquid monopropellants to the impact of a drop
weight.
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 appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the FIG. 1 Sample Cup Assembly
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
3. Significance and Use
only.
3.1 In drop-weight testing of liquids, explosions are initi-
2. Summary of Test Method
ated in a complex compression process involving the degree
2.1 A small sample of the liquid (0.03 mL) to be tested is
and rate of pressurization, the thermodynamic gas properties,
enclosed in a cavity (0.06 mL) formed by a steel cup, an elastic
heat transfer, hydrodynamic properties, etc. At this time, the
ring, and a steel diaphragm (see Fig. 1). A piston rests on the
fundamental significance of the test cannot be exactly defined.
diaphragm and carries a vent hole which is blocked by the steel
The test is considered useful, however, as a rapid and simple
diaphragm. A weight is dropped onto the piston. A positive
means to rate sensitive liquids as to their relative explosive
result is indicated by puncture of the steel diaphragm accom-
sensitivity. Since it requires only a few grams of sample, it can
panied by a loud noise or severe deformation of the diaphragm
be an important laboratory tool to determine the handling
and evidence that the sample was completely consumed. The
safety of new materials before substantial quantities are pre-
sensitivity value for a given sample shall be expressed as the
pared.
height from which the specified weight is dropped for the
3.2 Tests in which the sample volume is varied (at constant
probability of explosion to be 50 %.
cavity volume of 0.06 mL) show that the degree of filling
affects the result. Note that the relationship between sensitivity
rating and sample volume is not a characteristic of the test
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F07 on
apparatus but is a function specific to each propellant. At 50 %
Aerospace and Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F 07.90 on
filling (0.03 mL of sample), the dependency of sensitivity on
Executive .
sample volume is moderate so that the error in sample volume
Current edition approved March 15, 1993. Published May 1993. Originally
e1
published as D 2540 – 66 T. Last previous edition D 2540 – 70 (1982) .
measurement has a negligible influence. Tests show that the
2
This method is identical in substance with the JANNAF method, “Drop Weight
delivered sample volume is reproducible to 60.5 % when
Test,” Test Number 4, Liquid Propellant Test Methods, May 1964, published by the
measured by a fixed-stroke syringe, and 0.03 mL shall be the
Chemical Propulsion Information Agency, Johns Hopkins University, Applied
Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Rd., Laurel, Md. 20810. standard sample volume.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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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.
D 2540 – 93 (2001)
3.3 If the objective justifies the greater effort, the sample 4.4 Tools, consisting of a torque wrench, 0 to 1.7-N·m (0 to
volume is varied leading to a plot such as shown in Fig. 2 15-lb·in.) torque wrench adaptor to fit cap (part 7 of Fig. 4);
which represents the relationship between sensitivity rating and hypodermic syringe o
...