RP_Attach 2 - MIL-DTL-25576F.pdf

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AMSC N/A FSC 9130

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

NOT MEASUREMENT

SENSITIVE

MIL-DTL-25576F

w/AMENDMENT 1

24 May 2023

SUPERSEDING

16 March 2023

DETAIL SPECIFICATION

PROPELLANT, ROCKET GRADE KEROSENE

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

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This specification covers two grades of rocket propellant kerosene for use in rocket engines.

1.2 Classification. Rocket propellant kerosene will be of the following designated grades:

RP-1 - Normal production, total sulfur content of 30 mg/kg (max) and

2 percent by volume (max) of olefins, suitable for most uses.

RP-2 - Processed RP-1, total sulfur content of 100 μg/kg (max) and

1 percent by volume (max) of olefins.

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1.3 Part or identifying number (PIN). The PINs to be used for rocket grade propellant kerosene acquired to this specification are created as follows:

M 25576 - XXXX Example of PIN: M25576-S

Grade (1.2). Use "RP-1" or "RP-2" as applicable

Specification number

Prefix for military specification

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 of documents cited in sections 3 and 4 of this specification, whether or not they are listed.

2.2 Government documents.

2.2.1 Specifications, standards, and handbooks. The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STANDARD

MIL-STD-290 - Packaging and Marking of Petroleum and Related Products

(Copies of this document are available online at https://quicksearch.dla.mil.)

2.3 Non-Government publications. The following specifications, standards, and handbooks form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or contract.

ASTM INTERNATIONAL (ASTM)

ASTM D56 - Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Tag Closed Cup

Tester

ASTM D86 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure

ASTM D93 - Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens

Closed Cup Tester

ASTM D130 - Standard Test Method for Corrosiveness to Copper from

Petroleum Products by Copper Strip Test

Source: http://assist.dla.mil -- Downloaded: 2025-10-31T18:21Z https://quicksearch.dla.mil/

ASTM D240 - Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid

Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter

ASTM D381 - Standard Test Method for Gum Content in Fuels by Jet

Evaporation

ASTM D445 - Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids (and Calculation of Dynamic Viscosity)

ASTM D1298 - Standard Method for Density, Relative Density, or API

Gravity of Crude Petroleum and Liquid Petroleum Products by Hydrometer method

ASTM D1319 - Standard Test Method for Hydrocarbon Types in Liquid

Petroleum Products by Fluorescent Indicator Adsorption

ASTM D2276 - Standard Test Method for Particulate Contamination in

Aviation Fuel by Line Sampling

ASTM D2386 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels

ASTM D2622 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Sulfur in

Petroleum Products by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray

Fluorescence Spectrometry

ASTM D3227 - Standard Test Method for (Thiol Mercaptan) Sulfur in

Gasoline, Kerosine, Aviation Turbine, and Distillate Fuels

(Potentiometric Method)

ASTM D3241 - Standard Test Method for Thermal Oxidation Stability of

Aviation Turbine Fuels

ASTM

D3338/D3338M

- Standard Test Method for Estimation of Net Heat of

Combustion of Aviation Fuels

ASTM D3343 - Standard Test Method for Estimation of Hydrogen Content of

Aviation Fuels

ASTM D3701 - Standard Test Method for Hydrogen Content of Aviation

Turbine Fuels by Low Resolution Nuclear Magnetic

Resonance Spectrometry

ASTM D3828 - Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Small Scale Closed

Cup Tester

ASTM D3948 - Standard Test Method for Determining Water Separation

Characteristics of Aviation Turbine Fuels by Portable

Separometer

ASTM D4045 - Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by

Hydrogenolysis and Rateometric Colorimetry

ASTM D4052 - Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API

Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter

ASTM D4057 - Standard Practice for Manual Sampling of Petroleum and

Petroleum Products

ASTM D4177 - Standard Practice for Automatic Sampling of Petroleum and

Petroleum Products

ASTM D4306 - Standard Practice for Aviation Fuel Sample Containers for

Tests Affected by Trace Contamination

ASTM D4809 - Standard Test Method for Heat of Combustion of Liquid

Hydrocarbon Fuels by Bomb Calorimeter (Precision Method)

ASTM D4952 - Standard Test Method for Qualitative Analysis for Active

Sulfur Species in Fuels and Solvents (Doctor Test)

ASTM D 5452 - Standard Test Method for Particulate Contamination in

Aviation Fuels by Laboratory Filtration

ASTM D 5453 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in

Light Hydrocarbons, Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel, Diesel

Engine Fuel, and Engine Oils by Ultraviolet Fluorescence

ASTM D5972 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels

(Automatic Phase Transition Method)

ASTM D6379 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Aromatic

Hydrocarbon Types in Aviation Fuels and Petroleum

Distillates—High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Method with Refractive Index Detection

ASTM D6986

- Standard Test Method for Free Water, Particulate and Other

Contamination in Aviation Fuels (Visual Inspection

Procedures)

ASTM D7039 - Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Gasoline, Diesel Fuel, Jet

Fuel, Kerosine, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Blends, and Gasoline-

Ethanol Blends by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

ASTM D7042 - Standard Test Method for Dynamic Viscosity and Density of

Liquids by Stabinger Viscometer (and the Calculation of

Kinematic Viscosity)

ASTM D7094 - Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Modified

Continuously Closed Cup (MCCCFP) Tester

ASTM D7153 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels

(Automatic Laser Method

ASTM D7154 - Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aviation Fuels

(Automatic Fiber Optical Method)

ASTM D7171 - Standard Test Method for Hydrogen Content of Middle

Distillate Petroleum Products by Low-Resolution Pulsed

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

ASTM D7236 - Standard Test Method for Flash Point by Small Scale Close

Cup Tester (Ramp Method)

ASTM D7345 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Petroleum Products and Liquid Fuels at Atmospheric Pressure (Micro Distillation

Method)

ASTM D7619 - Standard Test Method for Sizing and Counting Particles in

Light and Middle Distillate Fuels, by Automatic Particle

Counter

ASTM D7777 - Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, or API

Gravity of Liquid Petroleum by Portable Digital Density

Meter

ASTM D7945 - Standard Test Method for Determination of Dynamic

Viscosity and Derived Kinematic Viscosity of Liquids by

Constant Pressure Viscometer

ASTM D8049 - Standard Test Method for Determining Concentration, Count, and Size Distribution of Solid Particles and Water in Light and Middle Distillate Fuels by Direct Imaging Analyzer

ASTM D8072 - Standard Classification for Reporting Solids and Insoluble

Water Contamination of Hydrocarbon-Based Petroleum

Products When Analyzed by Imaging Instrumentation

ASTM D8305 - Standard Test Method for The Determination of Total

Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Total Polynuclear Aromatic

Hydrocarbons in Aviation Turbine Fuels and other Kerosene

Range Fuels by Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

ASTM E29 - Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to

Determine Conformance with Specifications

(Copies of these documents are available from https://www.astm.org/.)

ENERGY INSTITUTE (EI)

EI 1581 - Specifications and laboratory qualification procedures for aviation fuel filter/water separators

IP 540 - Determination of the existent gum content of aviation fuel – Jet evaporation method

IP 565 - Determination of the level of cleanliness of aviation turbine fuel

– Portable automatic particle counter method

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IP 577 - Determination of the level of cleanliness of aviation turbine fuel

– Automatic particle counter method using light extinction

(Copies of these documents are available from https://publishing.energyinst.org.)

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO)

ISO 4406 - Hydraulic fluid power — Fluids — Method for coding the level of contamination by solid particles

ISO 11171 - Hydraulic Fluid Power – Calibration of Automatic Particle

Counters for Liquids

(Copies of these documents are available from https://www.iso.org/.)

2.4 Order of precedence. Unless otherwise noted herein or in the contract, 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 Material. The propellant shall consist completely of hydrocarbon compounds except as otherwise specified herein.

3.2 Chemical and physical properties. The chemical and physical properties of the propellant shall conform to those listed in Table I when tested in accordance with applicable test methods.

https://publishing.energyinst.org/ https://www.iso.org/

TABLE I. Chemical and physical properties and test methods.

Property Limits ASTM or IP Test

Method

RP-1 RP-2

Workmanship Pass Pass Section 3.6

Distillation temperature, °F (°C) D86 1 or D7345 2

Initial Boiling Point, °F (°C) Report Only Report Only

10 percent recovered, °F (°C) 365 to 410

(185 to 210)

365 to 410

(185 to 210)

50 percent recovered, °F (°C) Report Only Report Only

90 percent recovered, °F (°C) Report Only Report Only

Final boiling point, °F (°C) max 525 (274) max 525 (274)

Residue, vol. percent max 1.5 max 1.5

Loss, vol. percent max 1.5 max 1.5

Specific Gravity, 60/60 °F 0.799 – 0.815 0.799 – 0.815 D1298, D4052 1, or

D7777

Existent Gum, mg/100mL 3 max 1 max 1 D381 or IP 540 1

Sulfur, total, mass percent (mg/kg

(ppm by mass)) 4 max 0.003

(30) max 0.00001

(0.1)

For RP-1: D2622, D5453 1 , or D7039

For RP-2: D4045

Sulfur, mercaptan, mass percent

(mg/kg (ppm by mass)) max 0.0003 (3) 5 D3227 1 or D4952 6

Freezing Point, °F (°C) max -60 (-51) max -60 (-51) D2386 1, D5972, D7153, or D7154

Net heat of combustion, BTU/lb

(MJ/kg) min 18500 (43.0) min 18500 (43.0) D240, D3338 7, or

D4809 1

Viscosity at -30 °F (-34 °C), cSt

(mm2/s) max 16.5 max 16.5 D445 1, D7042 8, or

D7945

Aromatics, vol. percent max 5.0 max 5.0 D1319 1, D6379, or D8305 9

Olefins, vol. percent max 2 max 1 D1319

Hydrogen content, mass percent min 13.8 min 13.8 D3343, D3701, or

D7171 1

Copper Strip Corrosion

(2 hr at 100 °C), rating max 1 max 1 D130 10

TABLE I. Chemical and physical properties and test methods - Continued.

Property Limits ASTM or IP Test

Method

RP-1 RP-2

Microseparometer Rating min 90 min 90 D3948

Flash Point, °F (°C) 11 min 140 (60) min 140 (60) D93 1, D56, D3828, D7236, or D7094 12

Thermal Stability

(2.5 hr at 617°F (325°C))

D3241

Change in pressure drop, mm Hg max 10 max 10

Tube rating: One of the following shall be measured

(1) Annex A1 VTR <3 13 <3 13

(2) Annex A2, ITR 14, nm max 50 max 50

(3) Annex A3, ETR 1, nm max 50 max 50

Particulate Matter: One of the following shall be measured 15

Gravimetric, mg/L max 1.0 max 1.0 D5452 1 or D2276

Particle counting 16, ISO Code max 19/17/14/13 max 19/17/14/13 IP 565, IP 577, D7619 1, or D8049 17

NOTES:

1. Referee Test Method.

2. ASTM D7345 results shall not be corrected to bias-free distillation results by the application of the correction factors in the D7345 Precision and Bias section.

3. The preferred vaporizing medium for the propellant is steam; however, the existent gum test IP 540 may be performed using air as the vaporizing medium. If air is used instead of steam, it shall be recorded. Test Method IP 540, using steam jet operating conditions, shall be the referee test method.

4. ASTM D2622, D5453 (referee for RP-1), or D7039 may be used for RP-1 grade. ASTM D4045 shall be used for RP-2 grade.

5. Not required.

6. If the Doctor Test by ASTM D4952 results in a failure ('positive' result), then mercaptan sulfur content shall be determined by the referee test method ASTM D3227.

7. ASTM D3338 and ASTM D3338/D3338M are the same test method.

TABLE I. Chemical and physical properties and test methods - Continued.

NOTES:

8. ASTM D7042 results shall be corrected to bias-free viscosity results by the application of the correction factor in the D7042 Precision and Bias section.

9. Results from ASTM D8305 shall be bias-corrected using the bias-correction equation for total aromatics in Section 13 (Precision and Bias) of ASTM D8305.

10. Follow the procedure specific to aviation turbine fuel listed in ASTM D130 section 11 (Procedure).

11. Relative to ASTM D93: results obtained by D56 can be up to 1.5 °C lower, results obtained by

D3828 can be up to 2 °C lower, results obtained by D7094 are typically the same as D93, and results obtained by D7236 can be up to 1.0 °C lower.

12. Use of ASTM D7094 is limited to non-procurement or operational quality surveillance related analysis only.

13. Peacock or Abnormal color deposits result in a failure.

14. If the ITR reports "N/A" for the tube's volume measurement, the result constitutes a failure and the result shall be reported as ">50 nm."

15. Particulate matter shall be determined by either gravimetric or particle counting. Should particle counting result in failure, the gravimetric method shall be the referee.

16. Particle counting, where equipment and laboratory capability exist, is the alternate to the gravimetric method. The limits provided below are for particulate matter for procurement requirements only.

Should particle counting result in failure, the gravimetric method shall be the referee.

Particle counting, individual channel counts & ISO Code

Channel Counts ISO Code 16a Test Method

IP 565, IP 577, or

D7619

≥ 4 µm (c)16b 16c 19

≥ 6 µm (c)16b 16c 17

≥ 14 µm (c)16b 16c 14

≥ 30 µm (c)16b 16c 13

16a. Per Table 1 "Allocation of scale numbers" of ISO 4406.

16b. (c) indicates that the equipment has been calibrated in accordance with ISO 11171.

16c. Report.

17. If ASTM D8049 is used, the maximum reporting code would be ASTM D8049 19/17/14-10. The reporting format for the code shall be IAW ASTM D8072 and reported as DXXXX X/Y/Z-W where

DXXXX details the ASTM standard used to perform the analysis; X, Y, and Z are identifying numbers from Table 1 (Particle Count Conversion Table) of ASTM D8072 for particle counts in the

≥4 µm, ≥6 µm, and ≥14 µm ranges respectively; and W is the identifying number for the water concentration in ppm by volume.

3.3 Additives. The additives listed herein may be used singly or in combination, in amounts not to exceed those specified. No substance of known dangerous toxicity under usual conditions of handling and use shall be added except as specified herein. The type and amount of each additive used shall be reported and shall be specified in the contract or order.

3.3.1 Antioxidants. The following active inhibitors may be added separately or in combination to the propellant in total concentration not in excess of 8.4 pounds of inhibitor (not including weight of solvent) per 1,000 barrels (6.3.1) of propellant (9.1g /100 US gal) in order to prevent the formation of gum.

a. 2,6-ditertiary butyl 4-methyl phenol.

b. 2,4-dimethyl-6 tertiary-butyl phenol.

c. 2,6-ditertiary butyl phenol.

3.3.2 Metal deactivator. A metal deactivator (MDA), N, N’-disalicylidene-1, 2-propanediamine, may be added in an amount not to exceed 2 pounds of active ingredient per

1,000 barrels of propellant (2.2 g/100 US gal). Use of MDA should be limited to only when metal contamination has been proven and that after the use of MDA, propellant should be clay treated prior to use to remove the MDA and metal.

3.4 Limiting values. For purposes of determining conformance with these requirements, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off to the nearest unit in the last right-hand digit used in expressing the specified limit. This rounding off shall be done in accordance with the Rounding Method of ASTM E29.

3.5 Filter. A filter water separator conforming to the requirements of the latest revision of EI 1581, with at minimum Category C elements, shall be installed on the fill line upstream of the header used for filling the delivery containers.

3.6 Workmanship. At the time of Government acceptance, the finished propellant shall be visually free from undissolved water, sediment, or suspended matter, and shall be clear and bright (no haze or cloudiness). Refer to ASTM D6986. In case of a dispute, the propellant shall be clear and bright at 70 °F.

4. VERIFICATION

4.1 Classification of inspections. The inspection and testing of the propellant requirements specified herein are classified as conformance tests (4.2).

4.2 Conformance inspection conditions. Tests for acceptance of individual lots shall consist of tests for all requirements specified in section 3. Conformance inspection shall include the test requirement herein.

4.2.1 Inspection lot. For acceptance purposes, individual lots shall be examined as specified herein and subject to tests for all requirements cited in section 3.

4.3 Inspection.

4.3.1 Inspection conditions. Propellant supplied shall comply with the specified limiting values in Table I using the cited test methods. The specified limiting values must not be changed.

This precludes any allowance for test method precision and adding or subtracting digits. For the purposes of determining conformance with the specified limiting values, an observed value or a calculated value shall be rounded off “to the nearest unit” in the last right-hand place of digits used in expressing the specified limiting value, in accordance with the Rounding Method of

ASTM E29.

4.4 Sampling plans.

4.4.1 Sampling. Each bulk or packaged lot of propellant shall be sampled for verification of product conformance in accordance with ASTM D4057 or ASTM D4177, except where individual test procedures contain specific sampling instructions.

4.4.1.1 A number of propellant properties are very sensitive to trace contamination that can originate from sample containers. For recommended sample containers, refer to ASTM

D4306.

4.4.2 Sampling for inspection of filled containers. A random sample of filled containers shall be selected from each lot and shall be subjected to the examination of filled containers as specified in 4.5.1.3.

4.5 Methods of inspection.

4.5.1 Examination of product.

4.5.1.1 Visual inspection. Samples selected in accordance with 4.4.1 shall be visually examined for compliance with 3.6.

4.5.1.2 Examination of empty containers. Before filled, each unit container shall be visually inspected for cleanliness and suitability in accordance with ASTM D4057.

4.5.1.3 Examination of filled containers. Samples taken as specified in 4.4.2 shall be examined for conformance to MIL-STD-290 with regard to fill, closure, sealing, leakage, packaging, packing, and markings. Any container with one or more defects under the required fill shall be rejected.

4.5.2 Chemical and physical tests. Tests to determine conformance to chemical and physical properties of the propellant supplied shall be conducted in accordance with Table I. The finished propellant shall pass all tests listed in Table I. No additional testing shall be required.

Requirements contained herein are not subject to corrections for test tolerances. If multiple determinations are made, results falling within any specified repeatability and reproducibility tolerances may be averaged. For rounding of significant figures, ASTM E29 shall apply to all tests required by this specification.

4.5.3 Testing. Unless otherwise specified by the procuring activity, tests as specified in

3.2 shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM or IP standards, using applicable methods as listed in Table I.

4.6 Rejection and retest. When any sample of the propellant tested in accordance with

4.2 fails to conform to the requirements specified herein, the entire lot represented by the sample shall be rejected. Rejected material shall not be resubmitted without furnishing full particulars concerning previous rejection and measures taken to overcome defects.

5. PACKAGING

5.1 Packaging. For acquisition purposes, the packaging requirements shall be as specified in the contract or order (see 6.2). When packaging of materiel is to be performed by

DoD or in-house contractor personnel, these personnel need to contact the responsible packaging activity to ascertain packaging requirements. Packaging requirements are maintained by the

Inventory Control Point’s packaging activities within the Military Service or Defense Agency, or within the military service’s system commands. 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.

6. NOTES

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

6.1 Intended use. The propellant covered by this specification is intended for use in rocket engines and as a hydraulic fluid medium in rocket engine gimbal systems.

6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents should specify the following:

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

b. Grade of the propellant required (1.2).

c. Method of shipment, type, and capacity of containers.

d. Quantity by weight.

e. Packaging requirements (5.1).

f. That one copy of the certificate of analysis, signed by the contractor's representative, listing values obtained on all tests should accompany each shipment delivered to the consignee.

6.3 Definitions.

6.3.1 Barrel. A barrel as specified herein will contain 42 U.S. gallons.

6.3.2 Lot. A lot would consist of one of the following:

a. The propellant produced in not more than 24 consecutive hours from a continuous process that is used to fill shipping containers directly from the process output. A continuous process should be the production of product by continuous input of raw materials and output of finished product by one manufacturer in one plant with no change in manufacturing conditions or materials.

b. The propellant from individual runs of a batch process that is used to fill shipping containers directly from the process output. A batch process should be the production of product by single additions of raw materials that are reacted and purified forming the product.

c. The propellant from either or both the continuous and batch processes that is held in a single storage tank and subsequently withdrawn to fill shipping containers.

The product should be homogenous at the time of withdrawal and should not be added to while being withdrawn. After each addition to the storage tank, the contents would constitute a separate lot.

6.4 Subject term (key word) listing.

Antioxidant

Fuel

Metal deactivator

Rocket engine

RP-1

RP-2

6.5 Amendment notations. The margins of this specification are marked with vertical lines to indicate modifications generated by this amendment. This was done as a convenience only and the

Government assumes no liability whatsoever for any inaccuracies in these notations. Bidders and contractors are cautioned to evaluate the requirements of this document based on the entire content irrespective of the marginal notations.

CONCLUDING MATERIAL

Custodians:

Army - CR4

Navy - AS

Air Force - 68

DLA - PS

Preparing activity:

Air Force - 68

(Project 9130-2023-001)

Review activities:

Army - AT, MI

Air Force -19

Civil agencies:

NASA - NA

NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the currency of the information using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil.

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