[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 2]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR178.57]



[Page 851-856]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 

                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 178_SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGINGS--Table of Contents

 

                 Subpart C_Specifications for Cylinders

 

Sec. 178.57  Specification 4L welded insulated cylinders.



    (a) Type, size, service pressure, and design service temperature. A 

DOT 4L cylinder is a fusion welded insulated cylinder with a water 

capacity (nominal) not over 1,000 pounds water capacity and a service 

pressure of at least 40 but not greater than 500 psig conforming to the 

following requirements:

    (1) For liquefied hydrogen service, the cylinders must be designed 

to stand on end, with the axis of the cylindrical portion vertical.

    (2) The design service temperature is the coldest temperature for 

which a cylinder is suitable. The required design service temperatures 

for each cryogenic liquid is as follows:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

             Cryogenic liquid                Design service temperature

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Argon.....................................  Minus 320 [deg]F or colder.

Helium....................................  Minus 452 [deg]F or colder.

Hydrogen..................................  Minus 42 3 [deg]F or colder.

Neon......................................  Minus 411 [deg]F or colder.

Nitrogen..................................  Minus 320 [deg]F or colder.

Oxygen....................................  Minus 320 [deg]F or colder.

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    (b) Material. Material use in the construction of this specification 

must conform to the following:

    (1) Inner containment vessel (cylinder). Designations and limiting 

chemical compositions of steel authorized by this specification must be 

as shown in table 1 in paragraph (o) of this section.

    (2) Outer jacket. Steel or aluminum may be used subject to the 

requirements of paragraph (o)(2) of this section.

    (c) Identification of material. Material must be identified by any 

suitable method.

    (d) Manufacture. Cylinders must be manufactured using equipment and 

processes adequate to ensure that each cylinder produced conforms to the 

requirements of this subpart and to the following requirements:

    (1) No defect is permitted that is likely to weaken the finished 

cylinder appreciably. A reasonably smooth and uniform surface finish is 

required. The shell portion must be a reasonably true cylinder.

    (2) The heads must be seamless, concave side to the pressure, 

hemispherical or ellipsoidal in shape with the major diameter not more 

than twice the minor diameter. Minimum thickness of heads may not be 

less than 90 percent of the required thickness of the sidewall. The 

heads must be



[[Page 852]]



reasonably true to shape, have no abrupt shape changes, and the skirts 

must be reasonably true to round.

    (3) The surface of the cylinder must be insulated. The insulating 

material must be fire resistant. The insulation on non-evacuated jackets 

must be covered with a steel jacket not less than 0.060-inch thick or an 

aluminum jacket not less than 0.070 inch thick, so constructed that 

moisture cannot come in contact with the insulating material. If a 

vacuum is maintained in the insulation space, the evacuated jacket must 

be designed for a minimum collapsing pressure of 30 psig differential 

whether made of steel or aluminum. The construction must be such that 

the total heat transfer, from the atmosphere at ambient temperature to 

the contents of the cylinder, will not exceed 0.0005 Btu per hour, per 

Fahrenheit degree differential in temperature, per pound of water 

capacity of the cylinder. For hydrogen, cryogenic liquid service, the 

total heat transfer, with a temperature differential of 520 Fahrenheit 

degrees, may not exceed that required to vent 30 SCF of hydrogen gas per 

hour.

    (4) For a cylinder having a design service temperature colder than 

minus 320 [deg]F, a calculation of the maximum weight of contents must 

be made and that weight must be marked on the cylinder as prescribed in 

Sec. 178.35.

    (5) Welding procedures and operations must be qualified in 

accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-3 (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this 

subchapter). In addition, an impact test of the weld must be performed 

in accordance with paragraph (l) of this section as part of the 

qualification of each welding procedure and operator.

    (e) Welding. Welding of the cylinder must be as follows:

    (1) All seams of the cylinder must be fusion welded. A means must be 

provided for accomplishing complete penetration of the joint. Only butt 

or joggle butt joints for the cylinder seams are authorized. All joints 

in the cylinder must have reasonably true alignment.

    (2) All attachments to the sidewalls and heads of the cylinder must 

be by fusion welding and must be of a weldable material complying with 

the impact requirements of paragraph (l) of this section.

    (3) For welding the cylinder, each procedure and operator must be 

qualified in accordance with the sections of CGA Pamphlet C-3 that 

apply. In addition, impact tests of the weld must be performed in 

accordance with paragraph (l) of this section as part of the 

qualification of each welding procedure and operator.

    (4) Brazing, soldering and threading are permitted only for joints 

not made directly to the cylinder body. Threads must comply with the 

requirements of paragraph (h) of this section.

    (f) Wall thickness. The minimum wall thickness of the cylinder must 

be such that the calculated wall stress at the minimum required test 

pressure may not exceed the least value of the following:

    (1) 45,000 psi.

    (2) One-half of the minimum tensile strength across the welded seam 

determined in paragraph (l) of this section.

    (3) One-half of the minimum tensile strength of the base metal 

determined as required in paragraph (j) of this section.

    (4) The yield strength of the base metal determined as required in 

paragraph (l) of this section.

    (5) Further provided that wall stress for cylinders having 

longitudinal seams may not exceed 85 percent of the above value, 

whichever applies.

    (6) Calculation must be made by the following formula:



S = [P(1.3D2 + 0.4d2)] / (D2 - 

    d2)



where:



S = wall stress in pounds psi;

P = minimum test pressure prescribed for pressure test in psig;

D = outside diameter in inches;

d = inside diameter in inches.



    (g) Heat treatment. Heat treatment is not permitted.

    (h) Openings in cylinder. Openings in cylinders must conform to the 

following:

    (1) Openings are permitted in heads only. They must be circular and 

may not exceed 3 inches in diameter or one third of the cylinder 

diameter, whichever is less. Each opening in the cylinder must be 

provided with a fitting, boss or pad, either integral with, or securely 

attached to, the cylinder body by fusion welding. Attachments to a 

fitting, boss or pad may be made by



[[Page 853]]



welding, brazing, mechanical attachment, or threading.

    (2) Threads must comply with the following:

    (i) Threads must be clean-cut, even, without checks and cut to 

gauge.

    (ii) Taper threads to be of a length not less than that specified 

for NPT.

    (iii) Straight threads must have at least 4 engaged threads, tight 

fit and calculated shear strength at least 10 times the test pressure of 

the cylinder. Gaskets, which prevent leakage and are inert to the 

hazardous material, are required.

    (i) Pressure test. Each cylinder, before insulating and jacketing, 

must be examined under a pressure of at least 2 times the service 

pressure maintained for at least 30 seconds without evidence of leakage, 

visible distortion or other defect. The pressure gauge must permit 

reading to an accuracy of 1 percent.

    (j) Physical test. A physical test must be conducted to determine 

yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation as follows:

    (1) The test is required on 2 specimens selected from material of 

each heat and in the same condition as that in the completed cylinder.

    (2) Specimens must conform to the following:

    (i) A gauge length of 8 inches with a width not over 1\1/2\ inches, 

a gauge length of 2 inches with width not over 1\1/2\ inches, or a gauge 

length at least 24 times thickness with a width not over 6 times 

thickness (authorized when cylinder wall is not over \1/16\ inch thick).

    (ii) The specimen, exclusive of grip ends, may not be flattened. 

Grip ends may be flattened to within one inch of each end of the reduced 

section.

    (iii) When size of the cylinder does not permit securing straight 

specimens, the specimens may be taken in any location or direction and 

may be straightened or flattened cold by pressure only, not by blows. 

When specimens are so taken and prepared, the inspector's report must 

show in connection with record of physical tests detailed information in 

regard to such specimens.

    (iv) Heating of a specimen for any purpose is not authorized.

    (3) The yield strength in tension must be the stress corresponding 

to a permanent strain of 0.2 percent of the gauge length. The following 

conditions apply:

    (i) The yield strength must be determined by either the ``offset'' 

method or the ``extension under load'' method as prescribed in ASTM E 8 

(IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter).

    (ii) In using the ``extension under load'' method, the total strain 

(or ``extension under load''), corresponding to the stress at which the 

0.2 percent permanent strain occurs may be determined with sufficient 

accuracy by calculating the elastic expansion of the gauge length under 

appropriate load and adding thereto 0.2 percent of the gauge length. 

Elastic extension calculations must be based on the elastic modulus of 

the material used. In the event of controversy, the entire stress-strain 

diagram must be plotted and the yield strength determined from the 0.2 

percent offset.

    (iii) For the purpose of strain measurement, the initial strain 

reference must be set while the specimen is under a stress of 12,000 psi 

and the strain indicator reading being set at the calculated 

corresponding strain.

    (iv) Cross-head speed of the testing machine may not exceed \1/8\ 

inch per minute during yield strength determination.

    (k) Acceptable results for physical tests. Physical properties must 

meet the limits specified in paragraph (o)(1), table 1, of this section, 

for the particular steel in the annealed condition. The specimens must 

show at least a 20 percent elongation for a 2-inch gage length. Except 

that the percentage may be reduced numerically by 2 for each 7,500 psi 

increment of tensile strength above 100,000 psi to a maximum of 5 such 

increments. Yield strength and tensile strength must meet the 

requirements of paragraph (o)(1), table 1, of this section.

    (l) Tests of welds. Welds must be tested as follows:

    (1) Tensile test. A specimen must be cut from one cylinder of each 

lot of 200 or less, or welded test plate. The welded test plate must be 

of one of the heats in the lot of 200 or less which it represents, in 

the same condition and approximately the same thickness as the cylinder 

wall except that it may



[[Page 854]]



not be of a lesser thickness than that required for a quarter size 

Charpy impact specimen. The weld must be made by the same procedures and 

subjected to the same heat treatment as the major weld on the cylinder. 

The specimen must be taken across the major seam and must be prepared in 

accordance with and must meet the requirements of CGA Pamphlet C-3. 

Should this specimen fail to meet the requirements, specimens may be 

taken from two additional cylinders or welded test plates from the same 

lot and tested. If either of the latter specimens fails to meet the 

requirements, the entire lot represented must be rejected.

    (2) Guided bend test. A ``root'' bend test specimen must be cut from 

the cylinder or welded test plate, used for the tensile test specified 

in paragraph (l)(1) of this section and from any other seam or 

equivalent welded test plate if the seam is welded by a procedure 

different from that used for the major seam. Specimens must be taken 

across the particular seam being tested and must be prepared and tested 

in accordance with and must meet the requirements of CGA Pamphlet C-3.

    (3) Alternate guided-bend test. This test may be used and must be as 

specified in CGA Pamphlet C-3. The specimen must be bent until the 

elongation at the outer surface, adjacent to the root of the weld, 

between the lightly scribed gage lines a to b, is at least 20 percent, 

except that this percentage may be reduced for steels having a tensile 

strength in excess of 100,000 psig, as provided in paragraph (c) of this 

section.

    (4) Impact tests. One set of three impact test specimens (for each 

test) must be prepared and tested for determining the impact properties 

of the deposited weld metal--

    (i) As part of the qualification of the welding procedure.

    (ii) As part of the qualification of the operators.

    (iii) For each ``heat'' of welding rodor wire used.

    (iv) For each 1,000 feet of weld made with the same heat of welding 

rod or wire.

    (v) All impact test specimens must be of the charpy type, keyhole or 

milled U-notch, and must conform in all respects to ASTM E 23 (IBR, see 

Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter). Each set of impact specimens must be 

taken across the weld and have the notch located in the weld metal. When 

the cylinder material thickness is 2.5 mm or thicker, impact specimens 

must be cut from a cylinder or welded test plate used for the tensile or 

bend test specimens. The dimension along the axis of the notch must be 

reduced to the largest possible of 10 mm, 7.5 mm, 5 mm or 2.5 mm, 

depending upon cylinder thickness. When the material in the cylinder or 

welded test plate is not of sufficient thickness to prepare 2.5 mm 

impact test specimens, 2.5 mm specimens must be prepared from a welded 

test plate made from \1/8\ inch thick material meeting the requirements 

specified in paragraph (o)(1), table 1, of this section and having a 

carbon analysis of .05 minimum, but not necessarily from one of the 

heats used in the lot of cylinders. The test piece must be welded by the 

same welding procedure as used on the particular cylinder seam being 

qualified and must be subjected to the same heat treatment.

    (vi) Impact test specimens must be cooled to the design service 

temperature. The apparatus for testing the specimens must conform to 

requirements of ASTM Standard E 23. The test piece, as well as the 

handling tongs, must be cooled for a length of time sufficient to reach 

the service temperature. The temperature of the cooling device must be 

maintained within a range of plus or minus 3 [deg]F. The specimen must 

be quickly transferred from the cooling device to the anvil of the 

testing machine and broken within a time lapse of not more than six 

seconds.

    (vii) The impact properties of each set of impact specimens may not 

be less than the values in the following table:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                 Minimum       Minimum

                                              impact value  impact value

                                              required for  permitted on

              Size of specimen                avg. of each   one only of

                                              set of three    a set of

                                                specimens    three (ft.-

                                                (ft.-lb.)       lb.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 mmx10 mm.................................          15            10

10 mmx7.5 mm................................          12.5           8.5

10 mmx5 mm..................................          10             7.0

10 mmx2.5 mm................................           5             3.5

------------------------------------------------------------------------





[[Page 855]]



    (viii) When the average value of the three specimens equals or 

exceeds the minimum value permitted for a single specimen and the value 

for more than one specimen is below the required average value, or when 

the value for one specimen is below the minimum value permitted for a 

single specimen, a retest of three additional specimens must be made. 

The value of each of these retest specimens must equal or exceed the 

required average value. When an erratic result is caused by a defective 

specimen, or there is uncertainty in test procedure, a retest is 

authorized.

    (m) Radiographic examination. Cylinders must be subject to a 

radiographic examination as follows:

    (1) The techniques and acceptability of radiographic inspection must 

conform to the standards set forth in CGA Pamphlet C-3.

    (2) One finished longitudinal seam must be selected at random from 

each lot of 100 or less successively produced and be radiographed 

throughout its entire length. Should the radiographic examination fail 

to meet the requirements of paragraph (m)(1) of this section, two 

additional seams of the same lot must be examined, and if either of 

these fail to meet the requirements of (m)(1) of this section, only 

those passing are acceptable.

    (n) Rejected cylinders. Reheat treatment of rejected cylinders is 

authorized. Subsequent thereto, cylinders must pass all prescribed tests 

to be acceptable. Welds may be repaired by suitable methods of fusion 

welding.

    (o) Authorized materials of construction. Authorized materials of 

construction are as follows:

    (1) Inner containment vessel (cylinder). Electric furnace steel of 

uniform quality must be used. Chemical analysis must conform to ASTM A 

240/A 240M (IBR, see Sec. 171.7 of this subchapter), Type 304 stainless 

steel. Chemical analysis must conform to ASTM A240, Type 304 Stainless 

Steel. A heat of steel made under table 1 and table 2 in this paragraph 

(o)(1) is acceptable, even though its check chemical analysis is 

slightly out of the specified range, if it is satisfactory in all other 

respects, provided the tolerances shown in table 3 in this paragraph 

(o)(1) are not exceeded. The following chemical analyses and physical 

properties are authorized:



                      Table 1--Authorized Materials

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                           Chemical analysis, limits in

              Designation                            percent

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carbon \1\.............................  0.08 max.

Manganese..............................  2.00 max.

Phosphorus.............................  0.045 max.

Sulphur................................  0.030 max.

Silicon................................  1.00 max.

Nickel.................................  8.00-10.50.

Chromium...............................  18.00-20.00.

Molybdenum.............................  None.

Titanium...............................  None.

Columbium..............................  None.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ The carbon analysis must be reported to the nearest hundredth of one

  percent.





                      Table 2--Physical Properties

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                               Physical

                                                              properties

                                                              (annealed)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tensile strength, p.s.i. (minimum)..........................    75,000

Yield strength, p.s.i. (minimum)............................    30,000

Elongation in 2 inches (minimum) percent....................        30.0

Elongation other permissible gauge lengths (minimum) percent        15.0

------------------------------------------------------------------------





                   Table 3--Check Analysis Tolerances

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                              Tolerance

                                                              over the

                                                               maximum

            Elements              Limit or specified range    limit or

                                         (percent)            under the

                                                               minimum

                                                                limit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carbon.........................  To 0.030, incl...........         0.005

                                 Over 0.30 to 0.20, incl..         0.01

Manganese......................  To 1.00 incl.............          .03

                                 Over 1.00 to 3.00, incl..         0.04

Phosphorus \1\.................  To 0.040, incl...........         0.005

                                 Over 0.040 to 0.020 incl.         0.010

Sulphur........................  To .40 incl..............         0.005

Silicon........................  To 1.00, incl............         0.05

Nickel.........................  Over 5.00 to 10.00, incl.         0.10

                                 Over 10.00 to 20.00, incl         0.15

Chromium.......................  Over 15.00 to 20.00, incl         0.20

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Rephosphorized steels not subject to check analysis for phosphorus.



    (2) Outer jacket. (i) Nonflammable cryogenic liquids. Cylinders 

intended for use in the transportation of nonflammable cryogenic liquid 

must have an outer jacket made of steel or aluminum.

    (ii) Flammable cryogenic liquids. Cylinders intended for use in the 

transportation of flammable cryogenic liquid must have an outer jacket 

made of steel.

    (p) Markings. (1) Markings must be stamped plainly and permanently 

on shoulder or top head of jacket or on a



[[Page 856]]



permanently attached plate or head protective ring.

    (2) The letters ``ST'', followed by the design service temperature 

(for example, ST-423F), must be marked on cylinders having a design 

service temperature of colder than minus 320 [deg]F only. Location to be 

just below the DOT mark.

    (3) The maximum weight of contents, in pounds (for example, ``Max. 

Content 51 ''), must be marked on cylinders having a design 

service temperature colder than minus 320 [deg]F only. Location to be 

near symbol.

    (4) Special orientation instructions must be marked on the cylinder 

(for example, THIS END UP), if the cylinder is used in an orientation 

other than vertical with openings at the top of the cylinder.

    (5) If the jacket of the cylinder is constructed of aluminum, the 

letters ``AL'' must be marked after the service pressure marking. 

Example: DOT-4L150 AL.

    (6) Except for serial number and jacket material designation, each 

marking prescribed in this paragraph (p) must be duplicated on each 

cylinder by any suitable means.

    (q) Inspector's report. In addition to the information required by 

Sec. 178.35, the inspector's reports must contain information on:

    (1) The jacket material and insulation type;

    (2) The design service temperature



( [deg]F); and

    (3) The impact test results, on a lot basis.



[Amdt. 178-114, 61 FR 25942, May 23, 1996, as amended at 66 FR 45386-

45388, Aug. 28, 2001; 67 FR 51653, Aug. 8, 2002; 68 FR 75748, Dec. 31, 

2003]