ASTM_E_2998_-_16.pdf

Designation:E299816Standard Practice forCharacterization and Classification of Smokeless Powder1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2998;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice describes procedures for characterizationand analysis of smokeless powders recovered from explosivesincidents(1,2),2materials or objects containing gunshotresidue(3)when visible grains are present,or bulk samples ofpowder.1.2 Smokeless powder is characterized by shape,color,texture,manufacturing toolmarks,markers,dimensionalmeasurements,and chemical composition(4-6).1.3 Smokeless powder is an energetic material classified asa low explosive or propellant.Smokeless powder can befurther classified as single-base,double-base,or triple-base.1.4 Analysis of post-blast debris and items containing gun-shot residue when visible grains of smokeless powder are notpresent is beyond the scope of this practice.1.5 This practice will provide guidelines for the analysis oforganic components of smokeless powders using variousinstrumental techniques,such as gas chromatography-massspectrometry,liquid chromatography,and Fourier transforminfrared spectroscopy.1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.7 This standard involves handling of low explosives andpotentially other energetic materials.It is strongly suggestedthat an analyst be trained in the storage and safe handling ofenergetic materials and be familiar with the properties andhazards of explosives.1.8 This standard cannot replace knowledge,skill,or abilityacquired through appropriate education,training,and experi-ence and should be used in conjunction with sound profes-sional judgment.1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility 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.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3E620 Practice for Reporting Opinions of Scientific or Tech-nical ExpertsE1492 Practice for Receiving,Documenting,Storing,andRetrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science LaboratoryE1618 Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in Extractsfrom Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-MassSpectrometry3.Terminology3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.1.1 ball powders,na class of smokeless powders pro-duced by a process where the final grain morphologies arespherical,flattened-ball,or flake.3.1.2 double-base,npropellant containing nitrocelluloseand nitroglycerin.3.1.3 deterrent,na compound to slow the burning rate ofa powder.3.1.4 energetic,nan explosive compound used to enhancethe burning rate of a powder.3.1.5 extruded powders,na class of smokeless powdersproduced by an extrusion process where the final grainmorphologies are disc or cylinder.3.1.6 grain,nan individual particle of smokeless powder.3.1.7 marker,na colored grain of smokeless powder toassist in the visual identification of a bulk reloading smokelesspowder.3.1.8 perforation,na hole in a disc powder or one or moreholes running through the length of a cylinder powder createdduring the manufacturing process in extruded powders.3.1.9 single-base,npropellant containing nitrocellulose asthe major energetic material.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E30 on ForensicSciences and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E30.01 on Criminalistics.Current edition approved Oct.1,2016.Published October 2016.DOI:10.1520/E2998-16.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end ofthis standard.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.1.10 smokeless powder,na propellant and low explosivecomposed of nitrocellulose and other organic and inorganiccompounds.3.1.11 stabilizer,na compound to prevent or slow downself-decomposition.3.1.12 triple-base,npropellant containing nitrocellulose,nitroglycerin,and nitroguanidine.4.Summary of Practice4.1 The physical properties of smokeless powder grains arerecorded by visual examination using a stereo lightmicroscope,micrometer,manual measuring device,digitalmeasurement and recording device,or camera.4.2 The significant physical properties of smokeless pow-ders to measure are diameter,length,and thickness.Thesignificant physical properties to record are shape,color,perforations,text