EN 13938-4:2025
(Main)Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket propellants - Part 4: Determination of the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder
Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket propellants - Part 4: Determination of the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder
This document specifies a method for the determination of burning rate under ambient conditions for solid gun propellants. It is applicable to solid gun propellants and black powder in their original form up to a grain size of 8 mm.
NOTE 1 Knowledge of burning rate is of high importance to manage risks associated with handling such explosives and of high importance to assess whether performance characteristics are met.
NOTE 2 In cases where propellants having grain size higher than 8 mm are generally used, their burning rate is more influenced and controlled by parameters of element containing thereof, and thus knowledge of their burning rate at ambient condition is not of high importance.
Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Treibladungspulver und Raketentreibstoffe - Teil 4: Bestimmung der Brenngeschwindigkeit bei Umgebungsbedingungen
Dieses Dokument legt ein Verfahren für die Bestimmung der Brenngeschwindigkeit von Schießpulver bei Umgebungsbedingungen fest. Es ist für Schießpulver und für Schwarzpulver in deren ursprünglichen Form bis zu einer Korngröße von 8 mm anwendbar.
ANMERKUNG 1 Die Kenntnis über die Brenngeschwindigkeit ist von großer Bedeutung, um mit den Risiken in Zusammenhang mit der Handhabung solcher Explosivstoffe umzugehen, und um zu beurteilen, ob die Leistungsmerkmale erfüllt sind.
ANMERKUNG 2 In Fällen, in denen die Verwendung von Treibladungspulver mit einer Korngröße über 8 mm üblich ist, wird ihre Brenngeschwindigkeit stärker von den Parametern des Elements, das sie enthält, beeinflusst und gesteuert, und daher ist die Kenntnis ihrer Brenngeschwindigkeit bei Umgebungsbedingungen nicht von großer Bedeutung.
Explosifs à usage civil - Poudres propulsives et propergols pour propulseurs - Partie 4 : Détermination de la vitesse de combustion des poudres pour armes et de la poudre noire
Le présent document spécifie une méthode de détermination de la vitesse de combustion des poudres pour armes et de la poudre noire.
Le présent document ne s'applique ni aux propergols solides pour propulseurs ni aux galettes.
Eksplozivi za civilno uporabo - Pogonska (smodniki) in raketna goriva - 4. del: Ugotavljanje hitrosti gorenja trdnih pogonskih sredstev za topove in črnega prahu
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 30-Sep-2025
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 321 - Explosives for civil uses
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 321/WG 6 - Explosives and propellants
- Current Stage
- 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
- Start Date
- 01-Oct-2025
- Due Date
- 29-Aug-2022
- Completion Date
- 01-Oct-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 24-Mar-2020
Overview
EN 13938-4:2025 titled "Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket propellants - Part 4: Determination of the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder" is a European Standard developed by CEN's Technical Committee CEN/TC 321. This standard defines a precise laboratory method to determine the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder under ambient conditions. It is essential for quality control, safety assessment, and performance verification of these explosives, which are widely used in civil applications.
This updated edition replaces EN 13938-4:2003, incorporating significant technical revisions to improve testing accuracy and applicability. By standardizing the test procedures and result expression, EN 13938-4:2025 supports manufacturers, testing laboratories, and regulatory bodies in ensuring consistent safety and compliance.
Key Topics
Scope and Application:
EN 13938-4:2025 applies to solid gun propellants and black powder in their original granular form, typically with grain sizes up to 8 mm. It does not cover solid rocket propellants or powder cakes. This distinction ensures the test method targets materials where burning rate under ambient conditions is most relevant.Test Principle:
The method relies on igniting a prepared sample placed in a standardized steel trough with specific dimensions. The flame propagation time between two marked points along the trough is measured to calculate the burning rate, expressed in meters per second (m/s).Apparatus Requirements:
Key equipment includes a steel trough with a hollow ridge, means of ignition (open flame, hot wire, or safety fuse), conditioning chamber (maintaining controlled temperature and humidity), timing devices with 0.1 s precision, and environmental measuring instruments like thermometers and hygrometers.Test Sample Conditioning:
Samples must be conditioned for at least 24 hours at (20 ± 5) °C and (60 ± 10)% relative humidity to ensure consistent, repeatable results.Testing Procedure:
The sample is poured into the trough without compression, leveled, and ignited at one end. The flame’s propagation time between marks at 400 mm and 1900 mm is recorded, and the burning rate is calculated. Any flame extinction before the endpoint or failure to ignite is documented.Result Interpretation:
- For solid gun propellants:
- Pass: Flame propagates fully with burning rate < 0.4 m/s
- Fail: Flame does not propagate or burning rate ≥ 0.4 m/s
- For black powder:
- Results are expressed as the measured burning rate or “fail” if flame propagation is incomplete.
- For solid gun propellants:
Reporting:
Reports must include test conditions, identification of the explosive tested, ignition means, test results, and detailed time and distance data related to flame propagation.
Applications
Quality Control in Manufacturing:
Ensuring consistent burning rates is critical to producing reliable, safe propellants and black powder for civil explosives. This standard enables manufacturers to verify product batches meet specified performance criteria.Safety and Risk Management:
Accurate knowledge of the burning rate helps manage risks associated with handling, storage, and transportation of solid propellants. It provides essential data to safety officers and regulatory inspectors.Compliance and Regulatory Assessment:
EN 13938-4:2025 supports compliance with European Directive 2014/28/EU on civil explosives. By adhering to this standard, manufacturers demonstrate conformity with essential safety requirements, easing market access across CEN member states.Research and Development:
Propellant developers use the standard testing method to evaluate new formulations for desired burning characteristics, facilitating innovation in pyrotechnics and civil propulsion technologies.
Related Standards
EN 13938-1:2025 - Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket propellants - Part 1: Requirements, which sets foundational requirements for propellant testing including temperature conditions referenced in EN 13938-4:2025.
EN 13857-1:2025 - Explosives for civil uses - Vocabulary, providing standardized terminology critical for consistent interpretation of testing methods.
EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, underpinning laboratory quality management and competence relevant to the test method.
EN 10088-1:2014 - Stainless steels - Part 1: List of stainless steels, referenced for materials used in the construction of the test trough ensuring durability and corrosion resistance.
Keywords: EN 13938-4:2025, burning rate determination, solid gun propellants, black powder, explosive testing standard, propellant performance, civil explosives safety, CEN standards, ambient condition testing, propellant quality control.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 13938-4:2025 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket propellants - Part 4: Determination of the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder". This standard covers: This document specifies a method for the determination of burning rate under ambient conditions for solid gun propellants. It is applicable to solid gun propellants and black powder in their original form up to a grain size of 8 mm. NOTE 1 Knowledge of burning rate is of high importance to manage risks associated with handling such explosives and of high importance to assess whether performance characteristics are met. NOTE 2 In cases where propellants having grain size higher than 8 mm are generally used, their burning rate is more influenced and controlled by parameters of element containing thereof, and thus knowledge of their burning rate at ambient condition is not of high importance.
This document specifies a method for the determination of burning rate under ambient conditions for solid gun propellants. It is applicable to solid gun propellants and black powder in their original form up to a grain size of 8 mm. NOTE 1 Knowledge of burning rate is of high importance to manage risks associated with handling such explosives and of high importance to assess whether performance characteristics are met. NOTE 2 In cases where propellants having grain size higher than 8 mm are generally used, their burning rate is more influenced and controlled by parameters of element containing thereof, and thus knowledge of their burning rate at ambient condition is not of high importance.
EN 13938-4:2025 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.
EN 13938-4:2025 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13938-4:2003. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 13938-4:2025 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/28/EU; Standardization Mandates: M/562. 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.
You can purchase EN 13938-4:2025 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Eksplozivi za civilno uporabo - Pogonska (smodniki) in raketna goriva - 4. del:
Ugotavljanje hitrosti gorenja trdnih pogonskih sredstev za topove in črnega prahu
Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket propellants - Part 4: Determination of
the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder
Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Treibladungspulver und Raketentreibstoffe - Teil 4:
Bestimmung der Brenngeschwindigkeit bei Umgebungsbedingungen
Explosifs à usage civil - Poudres propulsives et propergols pour propulseurs - Partie 4 :
Détermination de la vitesse de combustion des poudres pour armes et de la poudre noire
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13938-4:2025
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.
EN 13938-4
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2025
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 71.100.30 Supersedes EN 13938-4:2003
English Version
Explosives for civil uses - Propellants and rocket
propellants - Part 4: Determination of the burning rate of
solid gun propellants and black powder
Explosifs à usage civil - Poudres propulsives et Explosivstoffe für zivile Zwecke - Treibladungspulver
propergols pour propulseurs - Partie 4 : Détermination und Raketentreibstoffe - Teil 4: Bestimmung der
de la vitesse de combustion des poudres pour armes et Brenngeschwindigkeit bei Umgebungsbedingungen
de la poudre noire
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 September 2025.
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. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists 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.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13938-4:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Principle . 5
5 Apparatus . 5
6 Preparation of test sample . 6
7 Procedure . 7
7.1 Testing . 7
7.2 Calculation . 7
8 Expression of results . 8
9 Test report . 8
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Directive 2014/28/EU relating to the making available on the
market and supervision of explosives for civil uses aimed to be covered . 9
Bibliography . 10
European foreword
This document (EN 13938-4:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 321 “Explosives
for civil uses”, the secretariat of which is held by UNE.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by April 2026, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by April 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 13938-4:2003.
a) the document title has been changed from “Part 4: Determination of burning rate under ambient
conditions” to “Part 4: Determination of the burning rate of solid gun propellants and black powder”;
b) the Scope it has been revised so that the test method is no longer limited to a particle size ≤ 8 mm;
c) the normative references have been updated;
d) the terminology entry 3.1 has been removed;
e) the Clause 4 “Principle” has been revised;
f) the Clause 5 “Apparatus” has been revised and as means of ignition an open flame, a hot wire or a
safety fuse is now specified;
g) the Clause 6 “Preparation of test sample” now contains the specification of the volume of the test
sample needed;
h) the Clause 7 “Procedure” has been revised and now contains two subclauses, “Testing” and
“Calculation”, the latter one containing the specification of that moved here from Clause 8
i) the Clause 8 “Expression of results” has been revised;
j) the Clause “Test report” does no longer require conformity with EN ISO/IEC 17025 and the
information to be provided has been revised in accordance with the revised procedure;
k) the former Annex A “Range of applicability of the test method” has been removed;
l) the Annex ZA has been updated;
m) the Bibliography has been added and lists EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
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 the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
A list of all parts in the EN 13938 series, published under the general title Explosives for civil uses —
Propellants and rocket propellants, can be found on the CEN website.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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 the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies a method for the determination of
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