This specification details the physical and performance requirements, and the corresponding test methods, for the evaluation of crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipes that are outside diameter controlled, made in nominal pipe dimension ratios, and pressure rated for water at different temperatures. Crosslinked PEX pipes covered here shall be made from polyethylene compounds that have been crosslinked by peroxides, Azo compounds, or silane compounds in extrusion, or by electron beam after extrusion, and are primarily defined by means of three criteria, namely, nominal density, degree of crosslinking, and long-term strength tests. Sampled pipe specimens shall be tested for conformance with workmanship, dimension (out-of-roundness, outside diameter, and wall thickness), density, hydrostatic burst pressure, hydrostatic sustained pressure strength, excessive temperature-pressure capacity, environmental stress cracking, stabilizer functionality, bent-pipe hydrostatic sustained pressure strength, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated water, and degree of crosslinking requirements.

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers metric-sized crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipe that is outside diameter controlled, made in nominal pipe dimension ratios, and pressure rated for water at three temperatures (see Appendix X1). Included are requirements and test methods for material, workmanship, dimensions, burst pressure, hydrostatic sustained pressure, excessive temperature-pressure, environmental stress cracking, stabilizer functionality, bent-pipe hydrostatic pressure, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated water, and degree of crosslinking. Requirements for pipe markings are also given. The pipe covered by this specification is intended for buried pressure piping applications (such as, industrial and general-purpose pipelines, potable water pipelines, fire – extinguishing pipelines). This specification also includes carbon black requirements for PEX pipe used for aboveground pressure piping applications.

1.2 The text of this specification references notes, footnotes, and appendixes, which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the specification.

1.3 Except for dimensions, the values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. For dimensions, the values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses for nominal sizes are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

Note 1—Metric sized (SI units) pipe should only be joined with corresponding metric sized fittings. Inch sized fittings should not be used for metric sized pipe.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement

D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique

D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal Pressure

D1599 Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings

D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics

D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics

D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings

D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics

D2837 Test Method for Obtaining Hydrostatic Design Basis for Thermoplastic Pipe Materials or Pressure Design Basis for Thermoplastic Pipe Products

D3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems

F2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems to Hot Chlorinated Water

ANSI Standard

Federal Standard

Military Standard

NSF Standard

ISO Standards

PPI Standards

Keywords

crosslinked polyethylene; hydrostatic stress; PEX; PPI; pipe; pressure; Crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipe/tube; Plastic pipe/tubing/fittings--specifications;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 23.040.20 (Plastic pipes)

Citing ASTM Standards

[Back to Top]