Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations — B.2.5
B.2.5 Explosives and related equipment B.2.5.1 Detonators and multipoint initiation systems (exploding bridge wire, slappers etc.): (a) electrically driven explosive detonators, as follows: (1) exploding bridge (EB); (2) exploding bridge wire (EBW); (3) slapper; and (4) exploding foil initiators (EFI); and (b) arrangements using single or multiple detonators designed to nearly simultaneously initiate an explosive surface (over greater than 5 000 mm 2 ) from a single firing signal (with an initiation timing spread over the surface of less than 2.5 µs). NOTE The detonators of concern all utilize a small electrical conductor (bridge, bridge wire or foil) that explosively vaporizes when a fast, high-current electrical pulse is passed through it. In nonslapper types, the exploding conductor starts a chemical detonation in a contacting high-explosive material such as PETN (pentaerythritoltetranitrate). In slapper detonators, the explosive vaporization of the electrical conductor drives a “flyer” or “slapper” across a chemical detonation. The slapper in some designs is driven by magnetic force. The term “exploding foil” detonator may refer to either an EB or a slapper-type detonator. Also, the word “initiator” is sometimes used in place of the word “detonator”. Detonators using only primary explosives, such as lead azide, are not subject to control. B.2.5.2 Electronic components for firing sets (switching devices and pulse discharge capacitors): (a) switching devices: (1) cold-cathode tubes (including gas krytron tubes and vacuum sprytron tubes), whether gas filled or not, operating similarly to a spark gap, containing three or more electrodes, and having all of the following characteristics: (i) anode peak voltage rating of 2 500 V or more; (ii) anode peak current rating of 100 A or more; and (iii) anode delay time of 10 µs or less; (2) triggered spark-gaps having an anode delay time of 15 µs or less and rated for a peak current of 500 A or more; and (3) modules or assemblies with a fast switching function having all of the following characteristics: (i) anode peak voltage rating greater than 2 000 V; (ii) anode peak current rating of 500 A or more; and (iii) turn-on time of 1 µs or less; and (b) capacitors with the following characteristics: (1) voltage rating greater than 1.4 kV, energy storage greater than 10 J, capacitance greater than 0.5 µF, and series inductance less than 50 nH; or (2) voltage rating greater than 750 V, capacitance greater than 0.25 µF, and series inductance less than 10 nH. B.2.5.3 Firing sets and equivalent high-current pulse generators, as follows: (a) detonator firing sets (initiation systems, firesets), including electronically charged, explosively driven and optically driven firing sets designed to drive multiple controlled detonators specified in paragraph B.2.5.1; (b) modular electrical pulse generators (pulsers) having all of the following characteristics: (1) capable of delivering their energy in less than 15 µs into loads of less than 40 Ω; (2) having an output greater than 100 A; (3) designed for portable, mobile or ruggedized use; (4) having no dimension greater than 30 cm; (5) weighing less than 30 kg; and (6) specified to operate over an extended temperature range from 223 K to 373 K (-50°C to 100°C) or specified as suitable for aerospace applications; and (c) micro-firing units having all of the following characteristics: (1) no dimension greater than 35 mm; (2) voltage rating of equal to or greater than 1 kV; (3) capacitance of equal to or greater than 100 nF. NOTE Optically driven firing sets include both those employing laser initiation and laser charging. Explosively driven firing sets include both explosive ferroelectric and explosive ferromagnetic firing set types. Paragraph B.2.5.3(b) includes xenon flashlamp drivers. B.2.5.4 High explosive substances or mixtures containing more than 2% by weight of any of the following: (a) cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) (CAS 2691-41-0); (b) c