Editorial Note on Part 164
Editorial Note: Nomenclature changes to part 164 appear by USCG-2012-0832, 77 FR 59787, Oct. 1, 2012.

§ 164.023-13 Production tests and inspections. ( a ) *Manufacturer's test equipment and facilities.* The manufacturer shall provide the following test equipment and facilities for use in production tests and inspections: ( 1 ) A Constant Rate of Traverse tensile testing machine, capable of initial clamp separation of ten inches and a rate of separation of 30 cm (12 in.) per minute.
( 2 ) Fletcher, Callaway, U.S. Rubber clamps, or equivalent cam-actuated clamps to prevent slippage and twist of the samples.
( 3 ) An analytical balance or grain-yarn scale, accurate to within 0.25 percent of the measured value.
( b ) *Lot size.* Lot size must not exceed 460,000 meters (500,000 yds.) or 45 kg (100 lb.) of any color.
( c ) *Sample selection.* Samples must be selected at random by the manufacturer (or inspector, as applicable) after the entire lot of thread has been completed.
( d ) *Second sampling.* A second sampling, where required, must consist of five times the original sample size.
( e ) *Manufacturer's production tests.* The component manufacturer shall perform the following tests on the samples indicated (each sample to include at least 5 specimens unless otherwise specified in the referenced test procedure) on each lot of thread: ( 1 ) *Breaking strength.* One sample must be tested in accordance with § 164.023-7(a)(1) or § 164.023-7(b)(1), as applicable.
( 2 ) *Length/weight ratio.* One sample must be tested in accordance with § 164.023-11(b)(1).
( f ) *Recognized laboratory production tests.* Manufacturers shall ensure that the following tests and inspections are performed on non-standard components by a recognized laboratory: ( 1 ) *Composition.* At least annually, one sample of each accepted thread must be tested in accordance with § 164.023-11(b)(2).
( 2 ) *Breaking strength.* At least quarterly, one sample in each of the lightest and darkest colors accepted must be tested in accordance with § 164.023-7(a)(1) or § 164.023-7(b)(1), as applicable. This test may be performed by a recognized laboratory, or witnessed by a recognized laboratory inspector at the manufacturer's plant, at the laboratory's discretion.
( 3 ) *Elongation.* At least annually, one sample of each accepted thread in each of the lightest and darkest colors accepted must be tested in accordance with § 164.023-11(b)(3). This test may be performed by a recognized laboratory, or witnessed by a recognized laboratory inspector at the manufacturer's plant, at the laboratory's discretion.
( g ) *Accept/reject criteria.* Unless the alternate procedures as permitted by § 164.019-013(m) are followed, the results of required production testing on a lot must meet the following criteria for the lot to be shipped as Coast Guard-accepted thread: ( 1 ) Breaking strength test results must be within 10 percent below and 20 percent above the acceptance testing values but not less than the performance minimums.
( 2 ) Length/weight values must be within 5 percent of the acceptance testing values but not less than the performance minimums.
( 3 ) Elongation values must be within 20 percent of the acceptance testing values but not less than the performance minimums.
( 4 ) Composition testing must indicate that the sample tested is of identical composition to the sample tested for acceptance or in accordance with the performance specification.