ASTM F590-12(2018)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:F590 −12 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for
Non-Powder Gun Projectiles and Propellants
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF590;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
1.1 This consumer safety specification covers projectiles
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
and propellants manufactured for use with non-powder guns
regulatory limitations prior to use.
intended for target shooting, educational, and recreational
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
purposes and is to be used in conjunction with Consumer
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Safety Specification F589. Non-powder guns are commonly
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
identified as BB guns, air guns, or pellet guns.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 The projectiles and propellants covered by this con-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
sumer safety specification are BB cal, .177 cal (4.5 mm), .22
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
cal (5.5 mm), and .25 cal (6.4 mm) air gun shot of various
materials; .177 cal (4.5 mm), 5 mm, .22 cal (5.5 mm), .25 cal
2. Referenced Documents
(6.4 mm) pellets and .177 cal (4.5 mm), 5 mm, .22 cal (5.5
2.1 ASTM Standards:
mm), and .25 cal (6.4 mm) darts and propellants identified as
F589 Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Powder Guns
8 and 12-g type CO cylinders with both small and standard-
F2030 Specification for Paintball Cylinder Burst Disk As-
sized necks as well as refillable CO or compressed air
semblies
cylinders and reservoirs.
1.3 This consumer safety specification does not cover pro- 3. Terminology
pellants such as dichlorodifluoromethane or projectiles that are
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
propelled by a combustible release of energy; non-powder gun
projectiles used with products identified as blow guns, sling
Projectiles
shots, cork guns, toy guns, or archery cross bows and other 3.1.1 air-gun dart—a .177 cal, 5 mm, .22 cal, or .25 cal
such devices; projectiles designed for adult use in obsolete
non-powder gun projectile having a pointed configuration on
non-powder guns, custom-made non-powder guns, and non-
one end and tufts on the other (see Fig. 1).
powder guns designed for and used by law enforcement,
3.1.1.1 tuft—the material that is added to the body of a dart.
scientific, veterinary or military use; paint ball markers, am-
3.1.2 air-gun shot—a BB, .177, .22-cal, or .25 cal ball-
munitionforairsoft/softairgunsandshotusedwithshotgunsin
shaped,non-powdergunprojectilemadeprimarilyoflead,lead
the firearm classification. Test methods for refilling cylinders
alloy, or steel (see Fig. 2).
do not purport to address all of the safety issues, if any,
3.1.2.1 air-gun shot, lead—a shot made of lead or lead alloy
associated with the safe handling and transfilling of small
which may or may not have a protective finish.
cylinders. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
3.1.2.2 air-gun shot, lead-coated—a shot made of steel that
establish appropriate safety practices and determine the appli-
has a thin, uniform coating of lead or lead alloy. It may or may
cability of regulatory limitations, such as but not limited to
not have a protective finish.
DOT, CGA and OSHA, prior to use.
3.1.2.3 air-gun shot, steel—a shot made of steel that is
coated with a protective finish.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
3.1.2.4 dimension across flats—the diameter of an air-gun
test method portion, Section 7, of this specification: This
shot, as measured across the flats.
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
3.1.2.5 maximum spherical diameter—the largest diameter
of an air-gun shot, as measured with a ring gage.
This consumer safety specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Commit-
tee F15 on Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F15.06 on Safety Standards for Non-Powder Gun Products. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2018. Published April 2018. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F590 – 12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F0590-12R18. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F590−12 (2018)
3.1.7.1 cap, CO cylinder—the section of the cylinder neck
containing the seal that is punctured to release CO for use in
the non-powder gun.
3.1.7.2 neck diameter, CO cylinder—the outside diameter
of the neck of a CO cylinder.
3.1.7.3 neck length, CO cylinder—the distance the neck of
a cylinder enters into a hole equal to the maximum allowable
FIG. 1Air-Gun Dart
neck diameter (see Fig. 5).
3.1.7.4 overall length, CO cylinder—the length measured
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
3.1.7.5 outside diameter, CO cylinder—the diameter of the
main body of the CO cylinder.
3.1.8 CO (carbon dioxide) cylinder refillable—a cylinder
that holds carbon dioxide in a liquid-gas combination consist-
ingofacylinderandaself-activatingon/offvalveassemblyfor
use on non-powder guns.
FIG. 2Air-Gun Shot
3.1.9 propellant, CO (carbon dioxide)—a propellant in
which the energy source is obtained from compressed carbon
dioxide gas.
3.1.3 caliber—the nomenclature used to indicate the bore
3.1.10 propellant, compressed—a propellant in which the
size of a non-powder gun and the compatible projectile
energy source is obtained from compressed air or other
intended for use with that bore size. nonflammable gas.
3.1.4 non-powder gun projectile—a projectile that is de-
3.1.11 propellant, refillable removable—also known as re-
signed for and intended to be discharged from a non-powder
movable CO cylinders refillable, a cylinder and valve assem-
gun.
bly which is removed from the non-powder guns to be refilled.
3.1.5 pellet—a .177 cal, 5 mm, .22 cal, or .25 cal
3.1.12 propellant, refillable non-removable—a reservoir
nonspherical, semihollow non-powder gun projectile made of contained within the non-powder guns which by its design is
lead, lead alloy, or other material, or a combination thereof.
not easily removable however is refillable with a non-
Typical examples are shown in Fig. 3. flammable gas.
3.1.5.1 nose of pellet—the forwardmost portion of a pellet.
3.1.13 propellant, non-refillable—also known as CO
3.1.5.2 overall length of pellet—the maximum dimension of
cylinders, non-refillable, generally referred to as disposable
a pellet as measured parallel to the axis.
cartridges which are discarded after use and are not refillable
3.1.6 shot-start force—the force that is required to insert a
for use in non-powder guns.
non-powder gun projectile into a cavity of standard size for a
given caliber.Propellants Fill Stations
3.1.14 fill station—a device designed to attach to a CO or
3.1.7 CO (carbon dioxide) cylinder non-refillable—a cyl-
2 2
compressed air cylinder and to a refillable non-powder guns
inderthatholdscarbondioxideinaliquid-gascombinationand
cylinder to facilitate transfilling of the non-powder gun’s
consists of a main body or container and a neck containing the
cylinderoradevicedesignedtoattachaCO orcompressedair
cap and seal (see Fig. 4) for use in non-powder guns.
cylinder to a non-powder gun to facilitate the transfilling a
non-removable reservoir contained within the non-powder
guns.
3.1.15 authorized retester—a facility registered with and
approved by DOT for the re-qualification of refillable CO
cylinders.
3.1.16 blow-down valve—a valve which is part of a fill
station assembly for refilling CO , which is intended to vent
gas from the cylinder and fill station.
3.1.17 DOT—Department of Transportation.
3.1.18 TC—Transport Canada.
3.1.19 valve twist test—atestdonebyhandwhereastheuser
graspsthevalvewithonehandandthebottlewiththeotherand
attempts to turn the valve by hand in a counter-clockwise
direction (left).
3.1.19.1 Discussion—If the valve does move, the valve and
FIG. 3Air-Gun Pellets bottle should not be filled and should be repaired or serviced,
F590−12 (2018)
FIG. 4CO (Carbon Dioxide) Cylinder Non-Refillable
be filled provided it passes all other requirements. The test
should only be done when the cylinder is empty and without
any tools.
4. Requirements
4.1 Projectiles:
4.1.1 Air-Gun Shot, Steel—Air-gun shot, steel, shall con-
form to the minimum and maximum diameter dimensions
specified in Table 1 when measured in accordance with 7.1 and
7.2.
4.1.2 Air-Gun Shot, Lead—Air-gun shot, lead, shall con-
form to the minimum diameter dimensions specified in Table 2
when measured in accordance with 7.3 and shall conform to
the maximum shot-start force as specified in Table 3 when
measured in accordance with 7.4.
4.1.3 Pellets—Pellets shall conform to the minimum and
maximum length dimensions as specified in Table 4 when
measured in accordance with 7.5 and shall conform to the
maximum shot-start force as specified in Table 5 when mea-
sured in accordance with 7.4.
4.1.4 Air-Gun Darts—Air-gun darts shall conform to the
Neck Size Dimension A, in. (mm)
minimum and maximum length dimensions as specified in
Standard 0.346 + 0.0002, −0.0000
Table 6 when measured in accordance with 7.5 and shall
(8.79 + 0.005, −0.000)
FIG. 5CO Cylinder Non-Refillable Combination Gage (C.R.S.)
TABLE 1 Air-Gun Shot (Steel)—Diameters
Maximum Neck Diameter and Minimum Neck Length (Standard
Maximum Minimum Dimension
Neck Cylinder)
Projectile Type Spherical Diameter, Across Flats,
in. (mm) in. (mm)
Air-gun shot, steel, BB cal (.177 0.175 (4.44) 0.162 (4.11)
cal)
or both, by the manufacturer or its authorized representative. If
Air-gun shot, steel, .22 cal 0.2198 (5.583) 0.205 (5.21)
the valve does not move then the valve passes the test and may
F590−12 (2018)
TABLE 2 Air-Gun Shot (Lead)—Diameters
7.1.1 Significance—The purpose of this test method is to
Minimum Diameter, establish the maximum diameter of air-gun shot, steel, to
Projectile Type
in. (mm)
ensure that the projectile will be compatible with the non-
Air-gun shot, lead, .177 cal 0.162 (4.11)
powder gun for which it is intended.
Air-gun shot, lead, .22 cal 0.205 (5.21)
7.1.2 Apparatus:
7.1.2.1 Ring Gage, with a minimum thickness of 0.125 in.
(3.18 mm) and a hole diameter with the maximum diameter in
Table 1 60.0001 in. (+0.002 mm). The ring gage is used to
conform to the maximum shot-start force as specified in Table
determine whether the air-gun shot exceeds the appropriate
7 when measured in accordance with 7.4.
maximum spherical diameter in Table 1.
4.1.5 FinishandAppearance—Theoutermostsurfacesofall
7.1.2.2 Screening Plate (optional), with holes 0.001 6
projectiles that require protection against deterioration shall
0.0001-in. (0.025 6 0.002-mm) smaller in diameter than the
have a protective finish.
maximum diameter of the ring gage specified in 7.1.2.1. The
4.2 Propellants—Compressedair,nitrogengas,andCO gas
screening plate may be used to select or screen only the largest
propellantmaybecombinedwithadditionalingredientsforuse
shot for measurement with the ring gage.
as propellants for non-powder guns, but the propellant shall be
7.1.3 Test Specimen—Test specimens shall consist of new
noncombustible.
air-gun shot, selected in accordance with the manufacturer’s
4.3 CO Cylinder Non-Refillable:
usual quality assurance practices.
4.3.1 CO Cylinder Measurement Test—CO cylinders shall
2 2
7.1.4 Procedure:
conform with the appropriate dimensions and tolerances in
7.1.4.1 Conductthetestatroomtemperature(60to80°F(16
Table 8 and Table 9 when measured in accordance with 7.6.
to 27°C)).
4.3.2 CO Cylinder Non-Refillable Temperature Test—CO
2 2
7.1.4.2 Ascreening plate may be used to reduce the number
cylinders shall withstand a temperature as defined in 7.6.4.1
of shot which must be passed through the ring gage. If the
withoutleakingorburstingwhentestedinaccordancewith7.6.
screeningplatein7.1.2.2isused,placethetestspecimenonthe
4.3.3 Rupture Test—CO cylinders that have been tested in
plate. Shake the plate so that the smaller shot pass through the
accordancewith7.6and7.8shallnotfragmentorsplinterupon
screen and the larger shot remain on the screen. Collect the
rupture. Failure shall not occur at the cap or neck section of the
larger shot remaining on the screen for measurement with the
cylinder.
ring gage. Inspect the shot which have passed through the
4.3.4 Finish and Appearance—The outermost surfaces of
screening plate and sort all abnormal shot from the lot which
CO cylindersthatrequireprotectionagainstdeteriorationshall
was passed through the screen for measurement with the ring
have a protective finish.
gage.
7.1.4.3 Place each shot in the hole of the ring gage with the
5. Significance and Use
maximumsphericaldiametershowninTable1.Rolltheshotin
5.1 This consumer safety specification establishes the di-
the ring gage so that the diameters of the three perpendicular
mensions and tolerances and supporting test methods for
axes of the shot are exposed to the hole in the ring gage. Shot
non-powder gun projectiles and propellants to ensure compat-
that does not roll within the ring gage is oversized and fails the
ibility between the projectiles and propellants and the non-
test.
powder guns for which they are designed.
7.2 Measurement of Flat Dimensions of Air-Gun Shot, Steel
5.2 This consumer safety specification identifies non-
(Fig. 2):
powder gun projectiles and propellants and establishes product
7.2.1 Significance—The purpose of this test method is to
identification requirements. The product identification require-
measurethedimensionsacrosstheflatsofair-gunshot,steel,to
ments are intended to guide users of non-powder guns in
ensure that the shot will be compatible with the gun and the
selecting the correct projectile or propellant for use in various
feed system for which it is intended.
guns, and attempts to prevent hazards associated with incorrect
7.2.2 Apparatus:
use of projectiles and propellants.
7.2.2.1 Pointed Micrometer, capable of measuring with an
6. Conformance accuracy of 60.0001 in
...