prEN 16264
(Main)Pyrotechnic articles - Other pyrotechnic articles - Cartridges for powder actuated tools
General Information
- Abstract
This document defines the procedures for classifying, testing and labelling of cartridges for powder actuated tools (PAT cartridges), as defined in Clause 3 of this document.
This document applies to PAT cartridges which are all classified as P1.
This document does not apply to pyrotechnic articles containing blasting agents and military explosives except black powder and flash composition.
PAT cartridges contain pyrotechnic composition(s) delivering mainly gases, intended to propel a piston. The piston propels fasteners (e.g. nails) or drives hard marking characters into appropriate materials.
This document also applies to PAT cartridges sold to persons younger than 18 years, if this is permitted by the Member State due to the low hazard of the PAT cartridges.
NOTE PAT cartridges can also be used for hard marking tools. Information on cartridge operated fixing and hard marking tools can be found in EN 15895:2025 [1].
This document applies to the cartridges listed in Table 1.
Table 1 — Lists of the established calibres for PAT cartridges
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 12-Apr-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 212 - Fireworks
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 212/WG 5 - Other pyrotechnic articles, category P1 and P2
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 09-Jul-2026
- Due Date
- 17-Mar-2026
- Completion Date
- 09-Jul-2026
Overview
prEN 16264:2026 is a draft European Standard developed by CEN, focusing on the classification, testing, and labelling of cartridges for powder actuated tools (PAT cartridges). These cartridges, classified exclusively as P1, contain pyrotechnic compositions that produce gas to power a piston. The piston is used to drive fasteners (such as nails) or create hard marks on appropriate materials, making PAT cartridges essential for specialized fixing and marking applications in construction and manufacturing.
This standard establishes minimum requirements for performance, safety, conformity, and labelling of PAT cartridges, ensuring consistent product quality and user safety across the European market. It explicitly excludes cartridges intended for military or blasting purposes, except those using black powder or flash composition.
Key Topics
Classification and Scope
prEN 16264 applies to all P1-classified PAT cartridges, detailing specification for the calibres commonly used in the industry while excluding those with higher hazard levels.Testing Procedures
- Dimensional conformity using precise gauges and micrometers
- Pressure and energy testing to verify safe and sufficient performance
- Residue, stability, and mechanical tests to ensure consistent product quality under operational conditions
- Lead content analysis to address health and environmental concerns
Labelling and Identification
- Requirements for clear labelling of energy level (including colour coding), calibre, manufacturer details, and safe handling instructions
- Minimum criteria for packaging and marking to support safe retail and user practices
Conformity and Documentation
- Manufacturers must maintain detailed records covering design, ingredients, performance characteristics, and test results
- Demonstration of consistent conformity with standard requirements
User Safety
- Safe disposal instructions
- Criteria addressing both adult professional users and, where permitted by national law, users under 18 due to the low hazard of certain PAT cartridges
Applications
The main applications of PAT cartridges standardized by prEN 16264 include:
Construction Industry:
Fastening steel, concrete, and masonry using powder actuated fixing tools for structural and finishing applications.Manufacturing:
Permanent marking or assembly operations involving hard marking tools operated by PAT cartridges.Maintenance and Infrastructure:
Rapid attachment of fasteners for railway, bridge, or heavy equipment maintenance, achieving consistent and secure results with minimal manual effort.Retail and Distribution:
Ensuring safe packaging and labelling for distributors and end-users, supporting ethical sales practices, including for users under 18 where allowable by local regulations.
By providing a harmonized approach to classification and testing, this standard helps protect workers, supports market surveillance authorities, and gives confidence to end-users regarding safety and reliability.
Related Standards
To ensure broader compliance and interoperability, prEN 16264 references and aligns with several related standards, including:
- EN 15895:2025
Powder actuated hand-held fixing and hard marking tools - Safety requirements - EN ISO 7010:2020
Graphical symbols - Safety colours and safety signs - Registered safety signs - ISO 22863-3:2020 / ISO 22863-5:2021
Fireworks - Test methods for determination of specific chemical substances (including lead and lead compounds) - EN ISO 3611:2023 / EN ISO 13385-1:2019
Dimensional measuring equipment standards
These references foster a consistent and comprehensive framework for the safe and effective use of pyrotechnic cartridges in powder actuated tools across Europe.
Keywords: powder actuated tool cartridges, PAT cartridges, pyrotechnic articles standards, EN 16264, cartridge testing, safety labelling, construction fasteners, CEN standard, industrial safety, European standards, lead content testing, cartridge classification
Relations
- Effective Date
- 19-Jan-2023
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Frequently Asked Questions
prEN 16264 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Pyrotechnic articles - Other pyrotechnic articles - Cartridges for powder actuated tools". This standard covers: This document defines the procedures for classifying, testing and labelling of cartridges for powder actuated tools (PAT cartridges), as defined in Clause 3 of this document. This document applies to PAT cartridges which are all classified as P1. This document does not apply to pyrotechnic articles containing blasting agents and military explosives except black powder and flash composition. PAT cartridges contain pyrotechnic composition(s) delivering mainly gases, intended to propel a piston. The piston propels fasteners (e.g. nails) or drives hard marking characters into appropriate materials. This document also applies to PAT cartridges sold to persons younger than 18 years, if this is permitted by the Member State due to the low hazard of the PAT cartridges. NOTE PAT cartridges can also be used for hard marking tools. Information on cartridge operated fixing and hard marking tools can be found in EN 15895:2025 [1]. This document applies to the cartridges listed in Table 1. Table 1 — Lists of the established calibres for PAT cartridges
This document defines the procedures for classifying, testing and labelling of cartridges for powder actuated tools (PAT cartridges), as defined in Clause 3 of this document. This document applies to PAT cartridges which are all classified as P1. This document does not apply to pyrotechnic articles containing blasting agents and military explosives except black powder and flash composition. PAT cartridges contain pyrotechnic composition(s) delivering mainly gases, intended to propel a piston. The piston propels fasteners (e.g. nails) or drives hard marking characters into appropriate materials. This document also applies to PAT cartridges sold to persons younger than 18 years, if this is permitted by the Member State due to the low hazard of the PAT cartridges. NOTE PAT cartridges can also be used for hard marking tools. Information on cartridge operated fixing and hard marking tools can be found in EN 15895:2025 [1]. This document applies to the cartridges listed in Table 1. Table 1 — Lists of the established calibres for PAT cartridges
prEN 16264 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 71.100.30 - Explosives. Pyrotechnics and fireworks. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN 16264 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 16264:2014. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
prEN 16264 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2013/29/EU; Standardization Mandates: M/583. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
prEN 16264 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Pirotehnični izdelki - Drugi pirotehnični izdelki - Kartuše za orodja na smodniški
pogon
Pyrotechnic articles - Other pyrotechnic articles - Cartridges for powder actuated tools
Pyrotechnische Gegenstände - Sonstige pyrotechnische Gegenstände - Kartuschen für
kartuschenbetriebene handgehaltene Werkzeuge
Articles pyrotechniques - Autres articles pyrotechniques - Cartouches pour outils
actionnés par poudre
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 16264
ICS:
71.100.30 Eksplozivi. Pirotehnika in Explosives. Pyrotechnics and
ognjemeti fireworks
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2026
ICS 71.100.30 Will supersede EN 16264:2014
English Version
Pyrotechnic articles - Other pyrotechnic articles -
Cartridges for powder actuated tools
Articles pyrotechniques - Autres articles Pyrotechnische Gegenstände - Sonstige pyrotechnische
pyrotechniques - Cartouches pour outils actionnés par Gegenstände - Kartuschen für kartuschenbetriebene
poudre handgehaltene Werkzeuge
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 212.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 16264:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 7
4 Apparatus . 20
5 Requirements . 20
5.1 Minimum content of documentation . 20
5.2 Conformity to documentation . 21
5.3 Dimensions. 21
5.3.1 General. 21
5.3.2 Apparatus . 24
5.3.3 Procedure . 25
5.3.4 Acceptance criteria. 25
5.4 Pressure testing . 25
5.4.1 General. 25
5.4.2 Apparatus . 25
5.4.3 Procedure . 30
5.4.4 Acceptance criteria. 32
5.5 Energy testing. 33
5.5.1 General. 33
5.5.2 Apparatus . 33
5.5.3 Procedure . 33
5.5.4 Acceptance criteria. 35
5.6 Collation test . 35
5.6.1 General. 35
5.6.2 Apparatus . 36
5.6.3 Procedure . 37
5.6.4 Acceptance criteria. 37
5.7 Residue test . 37
5.7.1 General. 37
5.7.2 Apparatus . 37
5.7.3 Procedure . 46
5.7.4 Acceptance criteria. 48
5.8 Physical and chemical stability test . 48
5.8.1 General. 48
5.8.2 Apparatus . 48
5.8.3 Procedure . 48
5.8.4 Acceptance criteria. 49
5.9 Mechanical conditioning test . 49
5.9.1 General. 49
5.9.2 Apparatus . 49
5.9.3 Procedure . 49
5.9.4 Acceptance criteria. 49
5.10 Safety test . 50
5.10.1 General . 50
5.10.2 Apparatus . 50
5.10.3 Firing unit . 51
5.10.4 Procedure . 53
5.10.5 Acceptance criteria . 53
5.11 Maximum content of lead in the primer mix . 54
5.11.1 General . 54
5.11.2 Procedure . 54
5.11.3 Acceptance criteria . 54
5.12 Safe disposal . 54
6 Categorization . 54
7 Minimum labelling . 55
7.1 Single cartridges . 55
7.1.1 General . 55
7.1.2 Marking of single cartridges . 55
7.2 Primary packs . 55
Annex A (normative) Testing of cartridges for powder actuated tools . 57
Annex B (informative) Mechanical conditioning test apparatus . 58
Annex C (normative) Graphical symbols . 61
Annex D (informative) Batch testing of cartridges for powder actuated tools . 63
Annex E (normative) Determination of lead in the primer mix of PAT cartridges . 65
Annex F (informative) Recommended energy ranges . 74
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2013/29/EU aimed to be covered . 76
Bibliography . 78
European foreword
This document (prEN 16264:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 212
“Pyrotechnic articles”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 16264:2014.
In comparison with the previous edition, the following technical modifications have been made:
— the scope has been streamlined by deleting several obsolete cartridge calibres;
— Clause 2, the decisions of C.I.P. have been listed;
— Clause 3 have been updated. the definition for the energy developed by a cartridge and indicated by
colour marking has been harmonized across the document to “energy level”;
— Clause 3, some definitions and symbols have been aligned with those in EN 15895:2025,
prEN 16263:2026 [2], and the definitions of C.I.P.;
— Clause 3, the figures have been aligned with those of EN 15895:2025 or modernised;
— 5.4.2.6 and in 5.4.3.5, the description of the procedure for pressure measurement has been improved;
— 5.4.3.5, the use of grease in pressure measurement has been deleted in accordance with the
amendments adopted by C.I.P. in 2023;
— 5.6.4, the wording has been corrected to clearly indicated the combined requirements for passing the
test;
— 5.7.2, several design drawings have been completed by adding the necessary dimensional tolerances;
— 5.7.3, the prescribed test temperature and humidity ranges have been aligned with those of C.I.P.;
— 5.7.3, the number of test sequences in the residue test have been reduced from three to two;
— 5.7.3, the test procedure has been streamlined to better represent test rigs of different designs;
— 5.8, the test procedures for the high and low temperature stability tests have been redefined;
— the formerly prescribed high temperature pressure test has been deleted;
— 5.11, limit values for the content of lead have been defined for two classes of PAT cartridges, lead-
free and leaded;
— 5.12, safe disposal has been added;
— 7.2, the labelling requirements have been streamlined to those not already listed in the Directive;
— Annex C, the symbols used in labelling have been aligned with EN ISO 7010:2020;
— Annex D, batch testing of cartridges for powder actuated tools has been added;
— Annex E, analysis methods for the determination of the content of lead have been added;
— Annex F, recommended energy ranges has been added;
— Annex ZA has been revised.
NOTE Words in italics (apart from document titles) are defined in Clause 3.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.
1 Scope
This document defines the procedures for classifying, testing and labelling of cartridges for powder
actuated tools (PAT cartridges), as defined in Clause 3 of this document.
This document applies to PAT cartridges which are all classified as P1.
This document does not apply to pyrotechnic articles containing blasting agents and military explosives
except black powder and flash composition.
PAT cartridges contain pyrotechnic composition(s) delivering mainly gases, intended to propel a piston.
The piston propels fasteners (e.g. nails) or drives hard marking characters into appropriate materials.
This document also applies to PAT cartridges sold to persons younger than 18 years, if this is permitted
by the Member State due to the low hazard of the PAT cartridges.
NOTE PAT cartridges can also be used for hard marking tools. Information on cartridge operated fixing and
hard marking tools can be found in EN 15895:2025 [1].
This document applies to the cartridges listed in Table 1.
Table 1 — Lists of the established calibres for PAT cartridges
Type Calibre
Rimfire 5,5/16 (22 NC)
5,6/16 (22)
6,3/10
6,3/12
6,3/16
6,8/11
6,8/18
Centrefire 9 × 17 W
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 15895:2025, Powder actuated hand-held fixing and hard marking tools — Safety requirements
EN ISO 3611:2023, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Dimensional measuring equipment —
Design and metrological characteristics of micrometers for external measurements (ISO 3611:2023)
EN ISO 9237:1995, Textiles — Determination of permeability of fabrics to air (ISO 9237:1995)
EN ISO 13385-1:2019, Geometrical product specifications (GPS) — Dimensional measuring equipment —
Part 1: Design and metrological characteristics of callipers (ISO 13385-1:2019)
EN ISO 7010:2020, Graphical symbols — Safety colours and safety signs — Registered safety signs
(ISO 7010:2019)
ISO 22863-3:2020, Fireworks — Test methods for determination of specific chemical substances — Part 3:
Lead and lead compounds by atomic absorption
ISO 22863-5:2021, Fireworks — Test methods for determination of specific chemical substances — Part 5:
Analysis of lead and lead compounds by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
acceptance quality limit
AQL
quality level that is the worst tolerable process average when a continuing series of lots is submitted for
acceptance sampling
3.2
base material
material into which the fastener or marking punch is driven
3.3
calibre
designation of a cartridge, normally expressed in the form “body diameter / length”
Note 1 to entry: See Scope for applicable cartridge calibres.
3.4
cartridge
device which contains a minor quantity of primer mix and a larger quantity of solid propellant used to
drive the piston of a fixing or hard marking tool
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 1.
As impacted by EN ISO 7010:2020/A1:2020, EN ISO 7010:2020/A2:2022, EN ISO 7010:2020/A3:2022,
EN ISO 7010:2020/A4:2023 EN ISO 7010:2020/A5:2023, EN ISO 7010:2020/A6:2023,
EN ISO 7010:2020/A7:2024, EN ISO 7010:2020/A8:2024, EN ISO 7010:2020/A9:2025
Figure 1 — Cartridge (example: calibre 6,8/11; external view and section)
3.5
single cartridge
loose cartridge
cartridge that is not mechanically attached to other cartridges and is inserted individually in the cartridge
chamber (by hand)
3.6
collated cartridge
cartridge that is contained with a number of others in a means of collation, e.g. a plastic collation strip or
a metal disc
3.7
cartridge chamber
essentially cylindrical or slightly conical bore which accommodates the cartridge before ignition; located
in the rear end of the piston guide of a cartridge operated tool; the dimensions of the cartridge chamber
correspond to cartridge calibre
3.8
powder actuated tool
PAT
tool with a piston powered by the hot combustion gases from a cartridge and comprising powder actuated
fixing and hard marking tools
[SOURCE: EN 15895:2025, 3.1]
3.9
cartridge case
closed container of essentially cylindrical shape made of metal or plastic forming the outer shell of a
cartridge and containing a primer or primer mix and propellant
3.10
cartridge type
set of cartridges defined by specific calibre and design, including pyrotechnic compositions and tolerances
3.11
centrefire cartridge
cartridge in which the primer is located in a primer cup (see 3.26)
3.12
coefficient of tolerance
coefficients of tolerance for n measurements with a statistical certainty of 95 % in K 90 % of cases,
3,n
where K = 2,36 for n=10
3,10
3.13
collation
means for attaching several cartridges to each other at regular distances
Note 1 to entry: Plastic strips and metal discs are commonly used for collation
3.14
combustion chamber
cavity adjoining to the cartridge chamber in which the combustion of the propellant takes place and
consisting of a bore connecting the cartridge chamber with the main cavity of piston guide, the free volume
of the piston guide itself behind the piston in its rearmost position, and sometimes a free volume in the
concave piston head
3.15
crimp
closed front end of a (metal) cartridge generated by radial deformation of the cylindrical body into tight
folds with an essentially star-shaped cross section
3.16
fastener
object intended for use in a cartridge operated fixing tool
Note 1 to entry: The object can be a nail, a threaded stud or similar object that is driven into the base material.
3.17
ignition pin
steel pin guided in a bore in the breech face igniting the primer mix of the cartridge by impacting on the
rim of the cartridge bottom or centre primer cup
3.18
lot
batch of cartridges of the same type, having homogeneous components, manufactured in series
production
3.19
piston
essentially cylindrical or shouldered element made of annealed steel, freely movable longitudinally in the
cylindrical piston guide (“barrel”) of a cartridge operated tool which is accelerated by the high pressure
in the combustion chamber at its rear and impacts on the fastener or marking head with its tip
3.20
piston guide
“barrel” of a cartridge operated tool which is essentially the cylindrical bore of a tool and containing the
piston
3.21
plunger
slug
brass or semi hardened steel cylinder used in pressure barrel, having different face dimensions to
reproduce the additional volume (V ), the equivalent to the minimum operational volume of the
a
combustion chamber in a tool
Note 1 to entry “Slug” is used as a synonym of “plunger” in the context of pressure measurement with a test
barrel.
3.22
primary pack
package of cartridges of the same calibre and energy (colour), offered for retail sale as a single unit
3.23
primer
cap containing pyrotechnic composition(s) for ignition, designed to ignite the propellant in a centrefire
cartridge case
3.24
primer mix
pyrotechnic composition located in the rim of the cartridge or in the centre primer which ignites the
propellant when the ignition pin deforms the rim of the cartridge or the centre primer cup and locally
compresses and ignites the primer mix
3.25
propellant
mostly nitrocellulose-based powder which fills the cartridge partly or totally, depending on cartridge
energy, the hot combustion gases of which accelerate the piston of a cartridge operated tool
3.26
pyrotechnic composition
explosive substance or mixture of explosive substances which is designed, on ignition or initiation, to
produce heat, light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of such effects through self-sustained
exothermic chemical reactions
3.27
rim
circumferential outward bulge at the rear end of a cartridge generated by axial deformation of the
hemispherical end of the punch-drawn metal blank
3.28
rimfire cartridge
cartridge in which the primer mix is located in the rim of the cartridge case
3.29
test barrel
test equipment used to measure the gas pressure and energy of PAT cartridges
3.30
minimum volume
V
ET
volume of the smallest technically possible cartridge chamber for a given calibre and maximum length of
the open cartridge (L )
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 2.
a) minimum volume of the cartridge chamber (V )
ET
(tool for single cartridges)
b) minimum volume of the cartridge chamber (V )
ET
(tool for cartridges collated in disks)
c) minimum volume of the cartridge chamber (V )
ET
(tool for cartridges collated in strips)
Key
1 minimum volume of the cartridge chamber (V )
ET
L maximum length of the open cartridge
NOTE V and L are constant values for each calibre and are laid down in Table 2 and Table 3.
ET 3
Figure 2 — Minimum volume of the cartridge chamber (V )
ET
3.31
total volume
V
C
total volume of maximum cartridge as presented in Figure 3 in accordance with Table 2
Figure 3 — V
C
3.32
volume of the material of the case
V
m
volume of the material of the case (without primer mix where rimfire cartridges are concerned, with
primer where centrefire cartridges are concerned) as presented in Figure 4
Figure 4 — V
m
3.33
additional volume
V
a
volume consisting of the volume of the combustion chamber with the piston in its extreme top position
and the open volume in the piston head, if any
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 5.
a) Additional volume (V ) (tool for single cartridges)
a
(see Table 2 for L )
b) Additional volume (V ) (tool for cartridges collated in disks)
a
(see Table 2 for L )
c) Additional volume (V ) (tool for cartridges collated in strips)
a
(see Table 2 for L )
Key
1 additional volume (V )
a
L maximum length of the open cartridge
Figure 5 — Additional volume (V )
a
3.34
total volume
V
tot
sum of the volumes of the combustion chamber and the empty cartridge chamber as
determined from the design drawings or CAD models
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 6.
a) total volume (V ) (tool for single cartridges)
tot
b) total volume (V ) (tool for cartridges collated in disks)
tot
c) total volume (V ) (tool for cartridges collated in strips)
tot
Key
1 total volume Vtot
NOTE Vtot is a design-specific value.
Figure 6 — Total volume (V )
tot
3.35
reduced volume
*
V
h
volume of the minimum size cartridge chamber V minus the volumes of the
ET
cartridge casing V and the propellant
m
Note 1 to entry: See Figure 7.
*
a) reduced volume of the cartridge chamber V (tool for single cartridges)
h
(see Table 2 for L )
*
b) reduced volume of the cartridge chamber V (tool for cartridges collated in disks)
h
(see Table 2 for L )
*
c) reduced volume of the cartridge chamber V (tool for cartridges collated in strips)
h
(see Table 2 for L )
Key
*
1 reduced volume of the cartridge chamber V
h
(L3) maximum length of the open cartridge
NOTE 1 Shaded area inside the cartridge denotes empty space between grains of propellant.
*
NOTE 2 V is a constant value for a given calibre in accordance with Table 9.
h
*
Figure 7 — Reduced volume of the cartridge chamber V
h
3.36
reduced system testing volume
V
S
reduced volume of the combustion chamber for performing the collation test with
an overpressure of 1,10 or 1,15 times of the maximum gas pressure p , depending on the test
max
Note 1 to entry: To achieve an overpressure of 1,10 times, VS is calculated according to the following formula (see
5.6.2.2):
1b/ 1b/*
VV1,,10⋅+ 1 10−⋅1 V
( )
Sa h
Note 2 to entry: To achieve an overpressure of 1,15 times, V is calculated according to the following formula (see
S
5.6.2.3):
1 1
*
bb
VV1,,15⋅+ 1 15−⋅1 V
Sa h
*
Note 3 to entry: The values of b and V per calibre, as given in Table 9, apply.
h
Note 4 to entry: For powder actuated tools for single and for collated cartridges, see Figure 8 below.
a) reduced system testing volume of the combustion chamber V
S
(tool for single cartridges)
=
=
b) reduced system testing volume of the combustion chamber V
S
(tool for cartridges collated in disks)
c) reduced system testing volume of the combustion chamber V
S
(tool for cartridges collated in strips)
Key
1 reduced system testing volume VS
L3 maximum length of the open cartridge
NOTE V < V
S a
Figure 8 — Reduced system testing volume of the combustion chamber V
S
3.37
energy level
range of kinetic energies measured in Joules as defined in Table 13, identified by a number and a colour
4 Apparatus
The standard equipment described in Clause 4 shall be used during the test. Any equivalent equipment
with the same or better accuracy may be used as an alternative.
4.1 Timing device.
— Type 1: Timing device capable of being read to the nearest 0,01 s.
— Type 2: Timing device capable of being read to the nearest 1 min.
4.2 Calliper.
— Type 1: Flat faced Vernier calliper reading to 0,05 mm which shall be in accordance
with EN ISO 13385-1:2019 (see 3.4).
— Type 2: Micrometer calliper reading to 0,01 mm which shall be in accordance with EN ISO 3611:2023
(see 3.4 and 4.4) .
4.3 Scale.
— Type 1: Minimum capacity 200 g.
— Type 2: Resolution 1,0 mg or better (linearity e = 1,0 mg or better).
4.4 Climatic chamber.
— Temperature from (– 10 ± 1) °C up to (52 ± 1) °C.
— Relative humidity from (60 ± 5) % up to (75 ± 5) %.
Several climatic chambers may be used for different tests if these tests require different temperatures or
humidity.
5 Requirements
5.1 Minimum content of documentation
The documentation shall contain the following minimum information:
— identification and description of the cartridges (name and calibre);
— identification of the fixing or hard marking tool(s) for which the conformity certificate of the
cartridges is applied;
— net weight of propellant;
— net weight of primer mix;
— chemical composition and percentage of substances used in the propellant and in the primer mix;
— pressure developed by the cartridges, measured as defined in 5.4;
— energy level of the cartridges as defined in 5.5;
— colour codes used to compare cartridges according to their energy level in the product range;
— name and address of the manufacturer or importer.
5.2 Conformity to documentation
The tested cartridges shall be in accordance with the relevant manufacturing documentation. The
requirement is considered fulfilled if the manufacturing documentation contains the minimum content
(see 5.1) and the article has been successfully tested as described in 5.3 and 5.5.
Neither quantitative nor qualitative analyses of the chemical composition shall be required.
5.3 Dimensions
5.3.1 General
The verification of dimensions shall be done to check the important cartridge dimensions from the safety
point of view (see Figure 9, Figure 10 and Table 2).
a)
b)
Figure 9 — Dimensions of rimfire type cartridges
Figure 10 — Dimensions of centre-fire type cartridges
Table 2 — Maximum cartridges dimensions (Dimensions in millimetres and volumes in cubic centimetres)
CARTRIDGE L L R R f β P P α S H H V
3 6 1 1 2 1 2 C
5,5/16
15,6 15,3 1,12 7,06 5,74 5,74 17°32′44” 27,64 5,49 5,49 0,39
(22 NC)
5,6/16 (22) 16,2 15,5 1,12 7,06 5,74 5,74 0,35
6,3/10 10,8 10,3 1,25 7,6 6,32 6,32 0,26
Rimfire
type 6,3/12 12,8 12,5 1,3 7,6 6,32 6,32 0,33
6,3/16 16,6 16,3 1,3 7,6 6,32 6,32 0,5
6,8/11 11,8 11 1,45 8,5 6,86 6,86 0,34
6,8/18 18,7 18 1,45 8,5 6,86 6,86 0,61
Centrefire
9 × 17 W 18,3 18,15 1,35 11,1 0,3 45° 9,58 9,58 1,08
type
Key
L max. length of open cartridge β chamfer angle H max. collar diameter 1
3 1
L max. length of closed cartridge P max. case diameter near rim H max. collar diameter 2
6 1 2
R max. rim height P max. case diameter near cone V Total volume of maximum cartridge
2 C
R max. head diameter α neck angle
f chamfer height S height of junction cone
5.3.2 Apparatus
The shape gauge used in this test is a block of steel with a shaped bore as illustrated in Figure 11 with
dimensions given in Table 3.
Figure 11 — Chamber dimensions
Table 3 — Minimum chamber dimensions (Dimensions in millimetres and volumes in cubic
centimetres)
CARTRIDGE L R R P H G V
3 1 1 2 1 ET
5,5/16 (22 NC) 16 1,1 7,1 5,8 5,76 6 0,45
5,6/16 (22) 16,33 1,1 7,3 5,76 5,76 6 0,44
6,3/10 11 1,25 7,7 6,35 6,35 6 0,37
6,3/12 13 1,25 7,7 6,35 6,35 6 0,43
Rimfire type
6,3/16 17 1,25 7,7 6,35 6,35 6 0,56
6,8/11 12 1,45 8,55 6,9 6,9 6 0,48
6,8/18 19 1,45 8,55 6,9 6,9 6 0,74
Centrefire type 9 × 17 W 18,5 1,3 11,2 9,6 9,6 6 1,37
Key
G Free diameter
V Minimum volume of the cartridge chamber
ET
NOTE Other symbols are defined in the key of Table 2.
5.3.3 Procedure
The dimensions of the cartridge shall be checked. Fixed dimension limits are checked by means of a
general shape gauge, taking into account minimum dimensions of chambers as referred in Figure 11
and Table 3.
The cartridges shall be fitted in the general shape gauge and the dimensions L , H verified with
6 2
micrometer calliper (4.2).
5.3.4 Acceptance criteria
The maximum dimensions, verified with micrometer calliper (4.2), shall be in conformity with the fixed
dimension limits reported in Figures 9 and 10 and in Table 2.
All cartridges tested shall enter smoothly into the gauge with a maximum force of 10 N.
5.4 Pressure testing
5.4.1 General
The purpose of this test is to verify the maximum gas pressure developed by the tested cartridges.
5.4.2 Apparatus
The apparatus shown in Figures 12 to 17 shall be used for pressure testing. The dimensions reported on
the drawings shall be in accordance with the tolerances specified in Table 4.
Table 4 — Apparatus tolerance
Dimension Tolerance
P
+ 0,03 mm
H
R
+ 0,05 mm
R
L + 0,10 mm
5.4.2.1 Test barrel assembly, made from steel with a minimum tensile strength of R = 1 000 MPa.
m
NOTE Suitable material is, e.g. no. 1.7225 (42CrMo4).
Key
1 barrel and transducer mounting
2 piezoelectric pressure transducer
3 cartridge holder
4 plunger
Figure 12 — Test barrel assembly
5.4.2.2 Plunger operated test barrel, made from steel with a minimum tensile strength
of R = 1 000 MPa.
m
NOTE Suitable material is no. 1.7225 (42CrMo4). The dimensions in brackets are given for information.
Figure 13 — Plunger operated test barrel
5.4.2.3 Cartridge holder, made from steel with a minimum tensile yield strength of R = 1 300 MPa
m
(see Table 5).
NOTE Suitable materials are no. 1.7707 (30CrMoV9) or no. 1.6580 (30CrNiMo8).
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 14 — Cartridge holder
Dimensions in millimetres
Table 5 — Cartridge holder
CARTRIDGE L R R P H
3 1 1 2
5,5/16 (22 NC) 16 1,1 7,10 5,80 5,76
5,6/16 (22) 16,33 1,1 7,30 5,76 5,76
6,3/10 11 1,25 7,70 6,35 6,35
6,3/12 13 1,25 7,70 6,35 6,35
6,3/16 17 1,25 7,70 6,35 6,35
6,8/11 12 1,45 8,55 6,90 6,90
6,8/18 19 1,45 8,55 6,90 6,90
9 × 17 W 18,5 1,3 11,2 9,60 9,60
NOTE Symbols are defined in the key of Table 2.
5.4.2.4 Plunger, made from steel with a minimum tensile strength of R = 550 MPa (see Figure 15
m
and Table 6).
NOTE Suitable materials are brass (58 - 70 % Cu) or semi hardened steel with the following dimensions:
— diameter D : 16 mm (h7);
p
— mass Mp: (80 ± 1) g;
3 3
— additional volume Va: 0,16 cm to 0,80 cm ;
— length L: (proportional to mass).
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 15 — Plunger (slug)
Table 6 — Plunger (slug)
V T
a
Test
cm mm
+0,02
Rimfire 0,16 1,00
+0,05
Centrefire 0,40 2,50
+0,05
Rimfire 0,80 5,00
The plunger shall be positioned such that one of its milled slots lines up with the axis of the transducer
bore (see Figure 16).
Dimensions in millimetres
a) Position of the crossed slots
b) Position of the crossed slots (cross section B-B) and position of the firing pin (from below;
view A)
Key
A top view
B-B cross section
Figure 16 — Plunger orientation
5.4.2.5 Seals, with dimensions in accordance with Figure 17.
NOTE Suitable material is CuZn40Pb2.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 17 — Seals
5.4.2.6 Electromechanical transducer, with the following characteristics:
a) Range of measurement: up to 7 000 bar;
b) Pressure transmission surface: Ø ≤ 6 mm;
c) Fundamental frequency: ≥ 100 kHz;
d) Deviation from linearity: ≤ 1 %;
5.4.2.7 Electronic filter, of approximately 20 kHz (−3 db) and Bessel characteristic n = 2
(12 dB/octave).
5.4.2.8 Climatic chamber (see 4.4).
5.4.2.9 Timing device type 2 (see 4.1).
5.4.3 Procedure
5.4.3.1 General
The test shall be carried out on cartridges acclimatized for at least 24 h, in a climatic chamber, at the
following conditions:
— temperature: (+21 ± 1) °C;
— relative humidity: (60 ± 5) %.
5.4.3.2 Rimfire
In case of rimfire cartridges, the pressure shall be measured using at least 12 cartridges for each
additional volume:
3 3
V = 0,16 cm and 0,80 cm
a
5.4.3.3 Centrefire
In case of centrefire cartridges, the pressure shall be measured using at least 12 cartridges for an
additional volume:
V = 0,40 cm
a
5.4.3.4 Evaluation of the results
Twelve firings shall be carried out for each additional volume in order to obtain 10 usable results.
To assess if the highest or lowest recorded pressure values are outliers, the following criterion shall be
applied:
— on completing a series of 12 measurements with the same additional volume, the recorded pressure
values shall be numbered in ascending order (p , … p );
1 12
— the extreme pressure values p and p shall be identified;
1 12
— the ratios ZB and ZB shall be calculated:
1 2
pp−
3 1
ZB =
pp−
11 1
and
pp−
12 10
ZB =
pp−
12 2
where
ZB and ZB are the ratios of differences of pressure values.
1 2
If ZB or ZB > 0,490, p or p respectively shall be eliminated.
1 2 1 12
If neither value is eliminated, the last two recorded values shall be disregarded.
If only one value is eliminated, the last recorded value shall be disregarded.
5.4.3.5 Sequence of testing steps
The test shall be conducted as indicated below:
a) The testing cartridges shall be acclimatized for at least 24 h at an ambient temperature of (+21 ± 1) °C
and at relative air humidity of (60 ± 5) %.
b) The cartridge holder and the appropriate plunger for the additional volume shall be selected
according to the calibre of the cartridge to be fired.
c) The bore of the barrel shall be cleaned and lightly lubricated such that the plunger slides in easily.
d) The electromechanical transducer shall be screwed onto the transducer holder, applying the
tightening torque specified in the technical documentation of the transducer.
e) The plunger shall be pushed in such that it contacts the cartridge chamber, with its flanges positioned
opposite to the cartridge so that one of the milled slots lines up with the axis of the transducer bore
(see Figure 16 b)).
f) In subsequent firings, care shall be taken that during handling the plunger is not moved – not even
slightly – out of position.
g) After each firing, the cartridge case shall be ejected and recovered to examine the marks from the
firings. If any penetration of the firing pin is detected, the firing pin shall be checked and exchanged
if found defective.
h) The plunger shall be recovered and checked to ensure that there are no marks from the firings.
i) Any carbon deposits shall be removed.
If there are signs of excessive gas leaks, the measurement obtained shall not be used. In subsequent tests,
the necessary precautions shall be taken to improve gas tightness.
5.4.4 Acceptance criteria
The results shall be interpreted in accordance with the rules of statistics as described in Table 7.
Table 7 — Acceptance criteria to be considered
Maximum admissible pressure for rimfire cartridges with additional
p (0,16)
...