Ask X3What does 49 CFR 173.57 (Acceptance criteria for new explosives) require?
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According to 49 CFR 173.57, new explosives must meet specific testing requirements before they can be accepted for transportation:
* New Explosive Substances: Unless excepted, an explosive substance must be tested using the following methods from the Explosive Test Manual:
* Drop Weight Impact Sensitivity Test (Test Method 3(a)(i))
* Friction Sensitivity Test (Test Method 3(b)(iii))
* Thermal Stability Test (Test Method 3(c)) at 75 °C (167 °F)
* Small-Scale Burning Test (Test Method 3(d)(i))
A substance is strictly forbidden for transportation if it triggers any of the following failure conditions:
* Fails the Drop Weight Impact Sensitivity Test (using the apparatus for liquids if it is a liquid, or solids if it is a solid).
* Has a friction sensitiveness equal to or greater than dry pentaerythrite tetranitrate (PETN).
* Fails the Thermal Stability Test at 75 °C (167 °F).
* Explodes during the Small-Scale Burning Test.
* Explosive Articles and Packaged Items: Packaged or unpackaged explosive articles and packaged explosive substances must be subjected to:
* The Thermal Stability Test for Articles and Packaged Articles (Test Method 4(a)(i))
* The Twelve Meter Drop Test (Test Method 4(b)(ii)), when appropriate.
An article or packaged substance is forbidden for transportation if these tests show evidence of thermal instability or excessive impact sensitivity based on the manual's criteria.
* Dynamite (Type A Blasting Explosive): Dynamite is forbidden for transportation if it meets any of these criteria:
* It lacks a sufficient quantity of a satisfactory antacid (uniformly mixed with the absorbent material) to match the acid-neutralizing power of magnesium carbonate equal to 1 percent of the liquid explosive ingredient.
* It loses more than 3 percent by weight of liquid explosive (for non-gelatin dynamite) or more than 10 percent by weight (for gelatin dynamite) during the centrifuge test or compression test.
* It shows any loss of liquid during the leakage test.