Ministry of Defence

Defence Standard 02-168 (NES 168)

Issue 1 Publication Date 01 April 2000

Requirements For
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Coated
Lead Ballast Blocks

Incorporating NES 168 Category 3

Issue 2 Publication Date July 1990

AMENDMENT RECORD
Amd No

Date

Text Affected

REVISION NOTE
This standard is raised to Issue 1 to update its content.
HISTORICAL RECORD
This standard supersedes the following:
Naval Engineering Standard (NES) 168 Issue 2 dated July 1990.

Signature and Date

Ministry of Defence

Naval Engineering Standard

NES 168

Issue 2
(Reformatted)

July 1990

REQUIREMENTS FOR POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) COATED LEAD

BALLAST BLOCKS

This NES Supersedes

NES 168 ISSUE 1
DG SHIPS 1001

Record of Amendments
AMDT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INSERTED BY

DATE

NAVAL ENGINEERING STANDARD 168

ISSUE 2 (REFORMATTED)
REQUIREMENTS FOR POLYVINIL CHLORIDE (PVC) COATED LED BALLAST
BLOCKS

The issue and use of this Standard

is authorized for use in MOD contracts
by MOD(PE) Sea Systems and
the Naval Support Command

ECROWN COPYRIGHT
Published by:
Director of Naval Architecture
Procurement Executive, Ministry of Defence
Foxhill, Bath BA1 5AB
i

ii

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

SCOPE
1.

This NES details the requirements for Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) coated lead blocks.

iii

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

iv

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

FOREWORD
Sponsorship
1.

This Naval Engineering Standard (NES) is sponsored by the Procurement Executive, Ministry
of Defence, Sea Systems.

2.

It is to be applied as required by any Ministry of Defence, contract for polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
coated lead block.

3.

If it is found to be unsuitable for any particular requirement the MOD(PE) is to be informed

in writing of the circumstances.

4.

Any user of this NES either within MOD or in industry may propose an amendment to it.
Proposals for amendments that are not directly applicable to a particular contract are to be
made to the MOD and those directly applicable to a particular contract are to be dealt with
using existing procedures or as specified in the contract.

5.

No alteration is to be made to this NES except by the issue of an authorized amendment.

6.

Unless otherwise stated, reference in this NES to approval, approved, authorized or similar
terms, means the Ministry of Defence in writing.

7.

Any significant amendments that may be made to this NES at a later date will be indicated
by a vertical side line. Deletions will be indicated by 000 appearing at the end of the line
interval.

8.

Extracts from British Standards within this NES have been included with the permission of
the British Standards Institution.

Conditions of Release
General
9.

This Naval Engineering Standard (NES) has been prepared for the use of the Crown and of
its contractors in the execution of contracts for the Crown. The Crown hereby excludes all
liability (other than liability for death or personal injury) whatsoever and howsoever arising
(including but without limitation, negligence on the part of the Crown, its servants or agents)
for any loss or damage however caused where the NES is used for any other purpose.

10.

This document is Crown Copyright and the information herein may be subject to Crown or
third party rights. It is not to be released, reproduced or published without written permission
of the MOD.

11.

The Crown reserves the right to amend or modify the contents of this NES without consulting
or informing any holder.

MOD Tender or Contract Process

12.

This NES is the property of the Crown and unless otherwise authorized in writing by the MOD
must be returned on completion of the contract, or submission of the tender, in connection
with which it is issued.

13.

When this NES is used in connection with a MOD tender or contract, the user is to ensure that
he is in possession of the appropriate version of each document, including related documents,

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

relevant to each particular tender or contract. Enquiries in this connection may be made of
the local MOD(PE) Quality Assurance Representative or the Authority named in the tender
or contract.
14.

When NES are incorporated into MOD contracts, users are responsible for their correct
application and for complying with contracts and any other statutory requirements.
Compliance with an NES does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Related Documents
15.

In the tender and procurement processes the related documents listed in each section and
Annex A can be obtained as follows:
a

British Standards

British Standards Institution

389 Chiswick High Road,
London W4 4AL

Defence Standards

Directorate of Standardization and Safety Policy,

Stan, 1 Kentigern House , 65 Brown Street,
Glasgow G2 8EX

Naval Engineering Standards

CSE3a, CSE Llangennech, Llannelli,

Dyfed SA 14 8YP

Other documents

Tender or Contract Sponsor to advise.

Note: Tender or Contract Sponsor can advise in cases of difficulty.

16.

All applications to Ministry Establishments for related documents are to quote the relevant
MOD Invitation to Tender or Contract Number and date, together with the sponsoring
Directorate and the Tender or Contract Sponsor.

17.

Prime Contractors are responsible for supplying their subcontractors with relevant
documentation, including specifications, standards and drawings.

Health and Safety

Warning
18.

This NES may call for the use of processes, substances and/or procedures that may be injurious
to health if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability and in
no way absolves either the supplier or the user from statutory obligations relating to health
and safety at any stage of manufacture or use. Where attention is drawn to hazards, those
quoted may not necessarily be exhaustive.

vi

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

CONTENTS
Page No

TITLE PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conditions of Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MOD Tender or Contract Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

v
v
v
v
v
vi
vi
vi

CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vii

SECTION

1.
1.1
1.2
1.3

MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lead Ingots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bonding Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PVC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1

SECTION

2.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1

SECTION

3.

TYPICAL METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR

INFORMATION ONLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1

SECTION

4.

ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.1

SECTION

5.

TESTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5.1

SECTION

6.

QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION . . .

6.1

SECTION

7.

PACKAGING AND IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . .

7.1

ANNEX

A.

ANNEX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A.1

ANNEX

B.

ANNEX B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B.1

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

vii

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

viii

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

1.

MATERIALS

1.1

Lead Ingots
a.

1.2

Bonding Agent
a.

1.3

Lead ingots are to be to commercial standards or approved scrap.

The manufacturer may use any bonding agent suitable for the adherence of PVC
to lead.

PVC
a.

The PVC is to be in a paste form and black in colour.

1.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

1.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

2.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
a.

In common with other metal finishing processes, some of the materials

employed in this process are of a toxic nature and appropriate precautions are
therefore to be taken.

2.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

2.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

3.

TYPICAL METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR INFORMATION ONLY

a.

Molten lead is poured into metal chilling moulds until they are full. The lead is
slowly cooled and all oxidation removed. When cool the blocks are removed from
the mould and are pressed to round off all edges and corners.

b.

In order to achieve a satisfactory bond between PVC and lead, a bonding agent
is applied.

c.

The lead blocks are then preheated prior to dipping in cold PVC paste.

d.

After dipping the blocks are placed in an oven and further heated to enable the
PVC to gel.

e.

The completed blocks are cooled by immersion in water.

f.

Any holes in the coating are filled with hot plasticized PVC.

3.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

3.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

4.

ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS
a.

The weight of the finished blocks are to be within 5% of the computed weight,
taking lead to have a density of 11340 kg/m3 and PVC to have an average density
of 1200 kg/m3.

b.

The dimensions are to be as stated in the Contract Documents. Tolerances are

to be 3 mm on all linear dimensions.

c.

The PVC coating is to be 2.5 mm minimum thickness and is to be free from

pinholes, air pockets, cuts and deformities.

d.

The PVC coating is to be bonded to the lead over a minimum of 75% of the
surface area of the block.

4.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

4.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

5.

TESTING
a.

The PVC coating is to be checked for uniformity, thickness and bond by taking
a random sample of one block out of every batch and removing the coating. (A
batch is to comprise up to a maximum of one hundred blocks of the same
dimensions, manufactured consecutively and during the same production run.)

b.

Should a defective item be found another block is to be selected at random from

the same batch and is also to have the coating removed. Should this also prove
defective, the whole batch is to be declared defective and action to remove the
faulty coatings and to recoat is to be taken.

5.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

5.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

6.

QUALITY ASSURANCE DOCUMENTATION

a.

Quality Assurance Documentation giving the information as required by

Clauses 4.a. 4.b. and 4.c. is to be supplied to the Consignee with the items. This
documentation is to be related unambiguously by a suitable reference to the
relevant PVC coated lead ballast blocks to which it refers. A copy of each
document is to be supplied to the MOD Quality Assurance Representative.

6.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

6.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

7.

PACKAGING AND IDENTIFICATION

a.

The PVC coated lead ballast blocks are to be supplied palleted and strapped in
units of approximately 1000 kg (unless specified otherwise by the Purchaser).
Blocks from different batches are not to be supplied on the same pallet.

b.

Except where otherwise stated in the Contract Documents, packaging is to be

in accordance with the Contractors normal trade standards.

c.

The following identification details are to be included on a label attached to each

pallet or container in such a manner that it will not become accidentally
detached:
(1)

NATO Stock Number as stated in the Contract Documents.

(2)

Batch Number.

(3)

Description.

(4)

Quantity.

(5)

Contract Number.

7.1

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

7.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX A.
A.

RELATED DOCUMENTS
a.

There are no Related Documents for this NES.

A.1

ANNEX A.

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX A.

A.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX B.
B.

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

a.

There are no Definitions and Abbreviations for this NES.

B.1

ANNEX B.

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ANNEX B.

B.2

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

ALPHABETICAL INDEX

A
Agent bonding, 3.1
Agent,bonding, 1.1

B
Batches, 5.1
Bonding agent, 1.1, 3.1

C
Chilling mould, 3.1
Coating, 4.1, 5.1
Cooling, 3.1

D
Defects in the block, 5.1
Dimensions of the blocks, 4.1
Dipping of the blocks, 3.1
Documentation, 6.1

H
heating, 3.1
Holes in the coating, 3.1

I
Ingots, lead, 1.1

L
Labelling, 7.1
Lead blocks, 3.1
Lead ingots, 1.1

M
Materials, 1.1
Molten lead, 3.1
Moulds, 3.1

O
Oven heating, 3.1

INDEX.1

INDEX

NES 168
Issue 2 (Reformatted)

P
Packaging, 7.1
Pre heating, 3.1
Precautions, 2.1
PVC paste black, 3.1
PVC paste,black, 1.1

Q
Quality Assurance, 6.1

S
Safety Precautions, 2.1
Samples, 5.1

T
Testing of coating, 5.1
Thickness of coating, 4.1
thickness of the blocks, 4.1
Toxicity, 2.1

W
Weight of the blocks, 4.1, 7.1

INDEX

INDEX.2

Inside Rear Cover

 Crown Copyright 2000

Copying Only as Agreed with DStan

Defence Standards are Published by and Obtainable from:

Defence Procurement Agency
An Executive Agency of The Ministry of Defence
Directorate of Standardization
Kentigern House
65 Brown Street
GLASGOW G2 8EX
DStan Helpdesk
Tel 0141 224 2531/2
Fax 0141 224 2503
Internet e-mail enquiries@dstan.mod.uk
File Reference
The DStan file reference relating to work on this standard is D/DStan/69/02/168.
Contract Requirements
When Defence Standards are incorporated into contracts users are responsible for their correct
application and for complying with contractual and statutory requirements. Compliance with
a Defence Standard does not in itself confer immunity from legal obligations.
Revision of Defence Standards
Defence Standards are revised as necessary by up issue or amendment. It is important that
users of Defence Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest issue or
amendment. Information on all Defence Standards is contained in Def Stan 00-00 Standards
for Defence Part 3 , Index of Standards for Defence Procurement Section 4 Index of Defence
Standards and Defence Specifications published annually and supplemented regularly by
Standards in Defence News (SID News). Any person who, when making use of a Defence
Standard encounters an inaccuracy or ambiguity is requested to notify the Directorate of
Standardization (DStan) without delay in order that the matter may be investigated and
appropriate action taken.