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METRIC
MIL-DTL-382D
20 January 1998
SUPERSEDING
MIL-M-382C(AR)
10 August 1978

DETAIL SPECIFICATION

MAGNESIUM POWDER - FOR USE IN AMMUNITION

This specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of
Defense.

1. SCOPE. This specification covers powdered magnesium suitable for use in ammunition.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General. The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3 and 4 of this
specification. This section does not include documents cited in other sections of this specification
or recommended for additional information or as examples. While every effort has been made to
ensure the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they must meet all
specified requirements documents cited in sections 3 and 4 of this specification, whether or not
they are listed.

2.2 Non-Government publications. The following documents form a part of this document to
the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of the documents which are
DoD adopted are those listed in the DoDISS cited in the solicitation. Unless otherwise specified,
the issues of documents not listed in the DoDISS are the issues of the documents cited in the
solicitation (see 6.2).

Beneficial comments (recommendations, additions, deletions) and any other data which may be of
use in improving this document should be addressed to: Defense Supply Center Richmond
(DSCR), ATTN: DSCR-VBD, 8000 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, VA 23297-5610 by
using Standardization Document Improvement Proposal (DD Form 1426) appearing at the end of
this document or by letter.

AMSC N/A FSC 6810

Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM)

B 92M - Standard Specification for Magnesium Ingot and Stick for Remelting
[Metric]
B 329 - Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Refractory Metals and
Compounds by the Scott Volumeter
E 11 - Standard Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes
E 300 - Standard Test Method for Sampling Industrial Chemicals

(Application for copies should be addressed to the American Society for Testing and
Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.)

2.3 Order of precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the
references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document,
however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been
obtained.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Classification. The magnesium powder shall be furnished in the following types and
granulations (see 6.2):

3.1.1 Types.

Type I - Flaked and/or chipped.

Type II - Oblong chip with rounded edges.
Type III - Granular or spheroidal.

3.1.2 Granulations. The granulations are given in table I.

TABLE I. Granulations.

Granulation Number Nominal Mesh Size

Metric U.S.

1 425 µm - 180 µm 40 - 80
2 425 µm - 180 µm 40 - 80 (alternate)
3 300 µm - 150 µm 50 - 100
4 300 µm - 150 µm 50 - 100 (Army)
5 300 µm - 125 µm 50 - 120
6 180 µm - 125 µm 80 - 120
7 150 µm 100
8 125 µm - 75 µm 120 - 200

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TABLE 1. Granulations (Continued).

Granulation Number Nominal Mesh Size

Metric U.S.

9 106 µm 140
10 75 µm 200
11 180 µm - 75 µm 80 - 200
12 125 µm - 75 µm 120 - 200 (Army)
13 850 µm - 300 µm 20 - 50
14 300 µm - 150 µm 50 - 100
15 150 µm - 75 µm 100 - 200
16 75 µm - 45 µm 200 - 325
17 300 µm - 150 µm 50 - 100
18 600 µm - 300 µm 30 - 50

3.2 Material. Magnesium powder shall be manufactured from magnesium ingot or stick that
meets the requirements of ASTM B 92M, “Standard Specification for Magnesium Ingot and Stick
for Remelting [Metric].”

3.3 Form.

3.3.1 Type I. Type I magnesium powder shall consist of shavings, turnings, flakes, or any
combination of these which meet the necessary granulation requirements shown in table II.

3.3.2 Type II. Type II magnesium powder shall consist of oblong chip-like particles with
rounded edges which meet the necessary granulation requirements shown in table II.

3.3.3 Type III. Type III magnesium powder shall consist of granular or spheroidal particles
which meet the necessary granulation requirements shown in table II.

3.4 Chemical composition. With the exception of the requirement for the magnesium to be
in an ingot or stick form, the magnesium powder shall meet the requirements for grade 9980A of
ASTM B 92M.

3.5 First article inspection. This specification contains provisions for first article inspection.
Requirements for the submission of first article samples by the contractor shall be as specified in
the contract.

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TABLE II. Granulation requirements1.

Granulation Max Percent Min Percent Density 2

Sieve Pass Sieve Pass (gm/ml)
Max Min

1 600 µm 100% 180 µm 15% 0.65 0.55

(No. 30) (No. 80)
2 300 µm 90% 180 µm 5% 0.65 0.55
(No. 50) (No. 80)
3 600 µm 10% 150 µm 15% 0.75 0.65
(No. 30) (No. 100)
4 850 µm 100% 150 µm 12% 0.625 0.45
(No. 20) (No. 100)
5 425 µm 100% 125 µm 10% --- ---
(No. 40) (No. 120)
6 212 µm 100% 125 µm 10% --- ---
(No. 70) (No, 120)
7 150 µm 98% --- --- --- ---
(No. 100)
8 250 µm 100% 75 µm 10% --- ---
(No. 60) (No. 200)
9 125 µm 98% 75 µm 0% --- ---
(No. 120) (No. 200)
10 125 µm 100% 75 µm 90-100% --- ---
(No. 120) (No. 200)
11 710 µm 100% 75 µm 25% --- ---
(No. 25) (No. 200)
12 150 µm 100% 75 µm 85% --- 0.45
(No. 100) (No. 200)
13 3.35 mm 100% 300 µm 5% --- 0.45
(No. 6) (No. 50)
14 300 µm 90% 150 µm 15% --- 0.70
(No. 50) (No. 100)
15 300 µm 100% 75 µm 15% 0.75 0.65
(No. 50) (No. 200)
16 75 µm 96% 4 µm 0% --- 0.62
(No. 200) ---
17 600 µm 100% 150 µm 15% --- 0.90
(No. 30) (No. 100)
18 1.18 mm 99% 212 µm 1% --- 0.90
(No. 16) (No. 70)

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1
All percentages shall be by weight using sieves conforming to ASTM E 11, “Standard
Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Purposes.” The powder shall pass through the
required sieves readily without balling or the particles clinging together.
2
Density of the magnesium powder is determined in accordance with ASTM B 329, “Standard
Test Method for Apparent Density of Refractory Metals and Compounds by the Scott
Volumeter.”

4. VERIFICATION

4.1 Classification of inspections. The inspection requirements specified herein are classified
as follows:

a. First article inspection (see 4.3).

b. Conformance inspection (see 4.4).

4.2 Inspection conditions. Unless otherwise specified, all inspections shall be performed on a
lot. A lot shall consist of one or more batches of the magnesium powder produced by one
manufacturer, in accordance with the same specification, or same specification revision, under one
continuous set of operating conditions. Each lot shall consist of that quantity of magnesium
powder that has been subjected to the same unit chemical or physical mixing process intended to
make the final product homogeneous. In the event the process is a batch operation, each batch
shall be a lot.

4.3 First article inspection. The contractor shall submit a first article sample as designated by
the contracting officer for evaluation in accordance with the characteristics shown in 3.2, 3.3, and
3.4 when tested in accordance with 4.5. The first article shall consist of 10 kg of the magnesium
powder obtained by sampling in accordance with table III. When lots comprise three or less
containers, all containers in the lot shall be selected. The samples shall be obtained from a
production lot which has been produced by the contractor using the same production processes,
procedures and equipment as will be used in fulfilling the contract. All materials, shall be obtained
from the same sources of supply as will be used in regular production. Failure of any test, by any
sample, shall be cause for rejection of the lot represented.

4.4 Conformance inspection. Conformance inspection shall be performed in accordance with

inspection provisions set forth herein. The characteristics shown in 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 when tested
in accordance with 4.5 shall constitute minimum inspections to be performed by the supplier prior
to Government acceptance or rejection by lot. Two independent representative samples,
approximately two kg, shall be obtained from each lot of magnesium powder using
ASTM E 300. Unless otherwise specified, sampling shall be conducted in accordance with
table III. When lots comprise three or less containers, all containers in the lot shall be selected.
Before sampling, the contents of each container (selected for sampling) shall be thoroughly
blended by rolling and turning end for end. Failure of any test, by any sample, shall be cause for
rejection of the lot represented. The absence of any inspection requirements in the specification

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shall not relieve the contractor of the responsibility of assuring that all products or supplies,
submitted to the Government for acceptance, comply with all requirements of the contract.

TABLE III. Sampling.

Number in a Lot Number of Samples

3 to 150 3
151 to 1,200 5
1,201 to 7,000 8
7,001 to 20,000 10
20,001 to 35,000 15
over 35,000 20

4.5 Test methods and procedures.

4.5.1 Component and material inspection. In accordance with 4.3 and 4.4, components and
materials shall be inspected in accordance with the “Methods of Analysis” section of
ASTM B 92M.

4.5.2 Form. Place a small portion of the sample on a glass slide and examine under a
20 to 30 power microscope.

4.5.3 Granulation. Place a weighed portioned of approximately 50 g of the sample on the top
sieve of a nest of sieves assembled as specified in table II and provided with a bottom pan. Cover
and shake for 30 minutes in a mechanical shaker geared to produce 300 ± 15 gyrations and 150 ±
10 taps of the striker per minute. Weigh the portions retained by each sieve and calculate to a
percentage as required.

4.5.4 Apparent density. Determine the apparent density of the magnesium powder, as
specified in table II, in accordance with the method described in ASTM B 329.

5. PACKAGING

5.1 Packaging. For acquisition purposes, the packaging requirements shall be as specified in
the contract or order (see 6.2). When actual packaging of material is to be performed by DoD
personnel, these personnel need to contact the responsible packaging activity to ascertain requisite
packaging requirements. Packaging requirements are maintained by the Inventory Control Point’s
packaging activity within the Military Department or Defense Agency, or within the Military
Department’s System Command. Packaging data retrieval is available from the managing Military
Department’s or Defense Agency’s automated packaging files, CD-ROM products, or by
contacting the responsible packaging activity.

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6. NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be helpful, but
is not mandatory.)

6.1 Intended use. Magnesium powder covered by this specification is intended for use in the
manufacture of tracer, igniter, signal flare and pyrotechnic compositions. Type II material is
required for the manufacture of bursting igniters. In general, higher density material will give
longer burning times in tracers.

6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents should specify the following:

a. Title, number, and date of this specification.

b. Type and granulation required (see 3.1).
c. Issue of DoDISS to be cited in the solicitation, and if required, the specific issue of
individual documents referenced (see 2.2).
d. Whether a first article sample is required (see 3.5).
e. Packaging requirements (see 5.1).

6.3 Subject term (key word) listings.

Bursting
Igniter
Pyrotechnic
Signal flare
Tracer

Custodian: Preparing Activity:

Army - GL1 DLA - GS

(Project No: 6810-1407)

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STANDARDIZATION DOCUMENT IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL

INSTRUCTIONS
1. The preparing activity must complete blocks 1, 2, 3, and 8. In block 1, both the document number and revision letter should be
given.

2. The submitter of this form must complete blocks 4, 5, 6, and 7.

3. The preparing activity must provide a reply within 30 days from receipt of the form.

NOTE: This form may not be used to request copies of documents, nor to request waivers, or clarification of requirements on current
contracts. Comments submitted on this form do not constitute or imply authorization to waive any portion of the referenced
document(s) or to amend contractual requirements.
1. DOCUMENT NUMBER 2. DOCUMENTDATE (YYMMDD)
I RECOMMEND A CHANGE: MIL-DTL-382D 980120
MAGNESIUM POWDER - FOR USE IN AMMUNITION

4. NATURE OF CHANGE
(Identify paragraph number and include proposed rewrite, if possible. Attach extra sheets as needed.)

5. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

6. SUBMITTER
a. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial) b. ORGANIZATION

c. ADDRESS (Include Zip Code) d. TELEPHONE (Include Area Code) 7.DATE SUBMITTED
(1) Commercial (YYMMDD)
(2) AUTOVON
(if applicable)
8. PREPARING ACTIVITY
a. NAME b. TELEPHONE Include Area Code)
Defense Supply Center Richmond (1) Commercial (2) AUTOVON
(804) 279-5019 695-5019

(DSCR) ATTN: DSCR-VBD

8000 Jefferson Davis Highway
Richmond, VA 23297-5610

DD Form 1426, OCT 89 Previous editions are obsolete. 198/290