ISO 22538-2-2007 PDF

Full title and description

Space systems — Oxygen safety — Part 2: Selection of metallic materials for oxygen systems and components. This International Standard defines a process and guidance for choosing metallic materials used in oxygen, liquid-oxygen (LOX) and oxygen‑enriched systems for ground support equipment, launch vehicles and spacecraft, with emphasis on reducing ignition and fire risk in oxygen environments.

Abstract

ISO 22538-2:2007 describes a systematic approach to select and control metallic materials for oxygen service, including considerations of material composition, ignition mechanisms, environmental and operational factors, material certification and cleaning/contamination control. The standard is intended to help designers and safety engineers minimise oxygen‑related hazards in space-system hardware.

General information

• Status: Published / current (confirmed at review stages).
• Publication date: 2007-09 (Edition 1, 2007).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 49.140 — Space systems and operations.
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2007).
• Number of pages: 15 pages.

Key bibliographic and lifecycle details are recorded in ISO’s catalogue (publication 2007; confirmed at later systematic reviews) and in standard distribution catalogs.

Scope

ISO 22538-2:2007 applies to the selection and control of metallic materials intended for use in oxygen systems and components within the space sector. It covers selection criteria based on material reactivity and ignition behaviour in oxygen or oxygen‑enriched atmospheres, required material information and certification, evaluation of ignition mechanisms, and practical controls such as cleaning and contamination avoidance. The guidance is applicable to ground support equipment, launch vehicle hardware and spacecraft assemblies.

Key topics and requirements

• Material selection process: evaluate composition, mechanical properties (strength, ductility) and compatibility with cleaning procedures.
• Ignition mechanisms and testing: consider impact, friction, particle impact, promoted combustion, electrical arcing and other ignition sources; use appropriate test data when available.
• Material certification and traceability: require manufacturer certification and perform verification where necessary.
• Materials control and contamination management: procedures for cleaning, handling and storage to remove combustible residues and particulates.
• Design considerations: preferential use of ignition‑resistant materials, account for thermal expansion, aging and environmental operating envelopes (pressure, temperature, flow).

These requirements are intended to reduce oxygen fire risk by combining materials knowledge, test data and design/operational controls.

Typical use and users

Primary users are spacecraft and launch vehicle systems engineers, materials engineers, safety and reliability engineers, procurement/specification authors, test laboratories and organisations responsible for ground support equipment. The standard supports design reviews, materials procurement/specification, acceptance testing and safety certification activities for oxygen systems.

Related standards

Standards and documents commonly referenced with ISO 22538-2 include other parts of the ISO 22538 series (for example ISO 22538-1:2007 — design of oxygen systems, and ISO 22538-3:2007 — selection of non‑metallic materials), national adoptions (BS ISO 22538-2:2007) and related analytical or testing standards addressing wet/dry chemical analysis and ignition testing for materials used in oxygen service.

Keywords

oxygen safety, LOX, oxygen‑enriched atmospheres, materials selection, metallic materials, ignition mechanisms, space systems, spacecraft safety, materials certification, contamination control

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 22538-2:2007 is an international standard that provides guidance and a process for selecting metallic materials for oxygen systems and components used in space applications (ground support, launch vehicles and spacecraft).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection criteria for metals in oxygen service, consideration of ignition mechanisms, requirements for material information and certification, and practical controls such as cleaning and contamination avoidance to reduce oxygen‑related fire risk.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Systems and materials engineers, safety and reliability teams, procurement/specification writers, test labs and organisations managing oxygen system hardware for the space industry.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 22538-2 was published in 2007 (Edition 1) and has been through ISO systematic review cycles; the ISO catalogue lists it as published and confirmed through review stages. Users should check ISO or their national standards body for the very latest confirmation or any revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO 22538 series on oxygen safety for space systems (other parts address design of oxygen systems and selection of non‑metallic materials, among related topics).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Oxygen safety, LOX, oxygen‑enriched, metallic materials selection, ignition, contamination control, space systems.