New Ruling on Wetted Nitrocellulose

Well, I'm a little more relieved. I guess I'll hold off on buying a couple more lbs of powder. I knew if I posted this here it would get vetted properly. :)
 
ATF Reclassifies Wetted Nitrocellulose as Explosive Materials Under Federal Laws

http://www.ammoland.com/2016/08/atf...-as-explosive-materials-under-federal-laws/?-

At the point the nitrocellulose is incorporated into smokeless powder or a complete round of ammunition, it is exempt from the requirements of the record keeping, storage, and other requirements of federal law and regulations.
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I am aware that old deteriorated Navy cannon powder was stored under water in storage pools, prior to reclamation. Water absorbs the nitric acid gas that comes out of deteriorating nitrocellulose and keeps the mix cool. The shooting community is generally not aware that nitrocellulose is highly dangerous as it deteriorates, and as it deteriorates, it heats up, causing auto combustion.

ROLE OF DIPHENYLAMINE AS A STABILIZER IN PROPELLANTS; ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY OF DIPHENYLAMINE IN PROPELLANTS

Nitrocellulose-base propellants are essentially unstable materials that decompose on aging with the evolution of oxides of nitrogen. The decomposition is autocatalytic and can lead to failure of the ammunition or disastrous explosions.
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http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/783499.pdf


Gunpowder is a mixture of nitrocellulose and stabilizers, plus 11 herbs and spices. :) If nitrocellulose dries out there is no reason to assume that it won't ignite. After reading the above listed post, I am going to say it is probably that due to lack of oversight, some wetted nitrocellulose did dry out and went kaboom or almost went kaboom. So the ATF is probably requiring manufacturers to now pay more attention to the stuff.
 
We can calm down, now.
https://www.atf.gov/file/109341/download

ATF’s June 2016 Explosives Industry Newsletter included a brief discussion of Nitrocellulose, and attempted to clarify the circumstances under which wetted Nitrocellulose is considered a high explosive under 27 CFR, Part 555. As with all explosives, ATF’s focus is on the potential public safety risks associated with materials that can be misused or diverted to unlawful purposes. Subsequent contact from industry members who import, transport, store or employ wetted Nitrocellulose in the production of ammunition, however, has brought to our attention issues that were not fully addressed in the Newsletter and require further consultation and consideration with the industry. Accordingly, ATF has and will conduct further industry outreach concerning wetted Nitrocellulose. In the interim, previously authorized industry practices concerning wetted Nitrocellulose will not be affected.
 
About 7,500 tons of deteriorated M6 propellant was stored at Camp Minden, LA; formerly Louisiana Ordnance Plant. The stuff was abandoned by a private company, Explo Systems.

Over 15 million pounds of deteriorating M6 propellant and about 320,000 pounds of clean burning igniters could self-ignite causing a catastrophic explosion as they become more unstable. Explo Systems, Inc. failed to recycle the materials and improperly stored materials exposed to weather which hastened the decomposition of the stabilizing material in the propellant. Explo Systems, Inc. filed bankruptcy and abandoned the material at Camp Minden in Webster Parish. The Louisiana National Guard (Military Dept.) took ownership of the abandoned materials on the property (Camp Minden).
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https://www.epa.gov/la/camp-minden-questions-and-answers#2
 
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