ASTM F2657-21

Standard Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 During shipment, storage and installation, PEX tubing may be exposed to UV radiation prior to being shielded from further exposure after installation. The effects of UV exposure on PEX tubing is determined by use of this test method. By first exposing specimens to solar UV radiation and subsequently testing specimens for oxidative resistance or stabilizer functionality, changes as a result of solar UV radiation exposure can be evaluated. This information can be used to determine the maximum allowable total UV exposure prior to permanent shielding provided by installation.  
5.2 The results of short-term exposure tests can provide an indication of relative outdoor performance, but they should not be used to predict the absolute long-term performance of a material. The results of tests conducted for less than twelve months will depend on the particular season of the year in which they begin.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for exposing crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing produced in accordance with Specification F876 to natural (sunlight) ultraviolet (UV) radiation and evaluating the effects of the exposure. This test method outlines the requirements for specimen size and preparation, exposure orientation, minimum UV exposure energy, post exposure testing and reporting.
Note 1: While other laboratory UV exposure systems are available, this test method relies on natural sunlight as the UV radiation source. Laboratory methods may be added in the future if testing confirms a correlation between natural sunlight and laboratory exposure.  
1.2 PEX tubing is not designed for outdoor use. Data from short-term exposure testing per this test method can be used to judge the relative performance of PEX tubing stored outdoors for short periods of time prior to installation completely shielded from sunlight.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method and post exposure testing portions, Sections 8 and 9 of this test method.  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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2021
• ICS: 23.040.20 - Plastics pipes
• Technical Committee: F17 - Plastic Piping Systems
• Drafting Committee: F17.40 - Test Methods

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F412-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2657 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene
1
(PEX) Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2657; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for exposing 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1435 Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics
crosslinkedpolyethylene(PEX)tubingproducedinaccordance
with Specification F876 to natural (sunlight) ultraviolet (UV) D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe
Under Constant Internal Pressure
radiation and evaluating the effects of the exposure. This test
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
method outlines the requirements for specimen size and
tics
preparation, exposure orientation, minimum UV exposure
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
energy, post exposure testing and reporting.
F876 SpecificationforCrosslinkedPolyethylene(PEX)Tub-
NOTE 1—While other laboratory UV exposure systems are available,
ing
this test method relies on natural sunlight as the UV radiation source.
F2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance
Laboratory methods may be added in the future if testing confirms a
of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe, Tubing and
correlation between natural sunlight and laboratory exposure.
Systems to Hot Chlorinated Water
1.2 PEX tubing is not designed for outdoor use. Data from
G147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonmetal-
short-term exposure testing per this test method can be used to
lic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests
judge the relative performance of PEX tubing stored outdoors
for short periods of time prior to installation completely
3. Terminology
shielded from sunlight.
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
nology F412 and abbreviations are in accordance with Termi-
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
nology D1600, unless otherwise indicated.
standard.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
3.2.1 nominal exposure time period, n—the number of
test method and post exposure testing portions, Sections 8 and
months corresponding to the measured TUV as defined in
9ofthistestmethod.Thisstandarddoesnotpurporttoaddress
Table 1.
all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is
3.2.2 polar orientation, n—the longitudinal direction of the
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish
specimens with respect to the Equator.
appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
3.2.3 solar UV radiation, n—the portion of the light spec-
use.
trum falling within the range of 295nm to 385nm.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.2.4 total solar UV radiation (TUV), n—the sum of mea-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
sured UV Energy for the time period specimens are exposed,
2
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
expressed in MJ/m . The historical average monthly TUV
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
valuesforCentralArizona,5°offhorizontalexposurearelisted
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
in Table 1.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2.5 tubing bow, n—the resultant curvature of a tubing
sample taken from a coil.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test
2
Methods. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F2657–07(2018). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
.DOI: 10.1520/F2657-21. the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2657 − 21
A
TABLE 1 Total UV (TUV) Energy per Monthly Time Period
5.2 Th
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2657 − 07 (Reapproved 2018) F2657 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene
1
(PEX) Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2657; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for exposing crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing produced in accordance with
Specification F876 to natural (sunlight) ultraviolet (UV) radiation and evaluating the effects of the exposure. This test method
outlines the requirements for specimen size and preparation, exposure orientation, minimum UV exposure energy, post exposure
testing and reporting.
NOTE 1—While other laboratory UV exposure systems are available, this test method relies on natural sunlight as the UV radiation source. Laboratory
methods may be added in the future if testing confirms a correlation between natural sunlight and laboratory exposure.
1.2 PEX tubing is not designed for outdoor use. Data from short-term exposure testing per this test method can be used to judge
the relative performance of PEX tubing stored outdoors for short periods of time prior to installation completely shielded from
sunlight.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method and post exposure testing portions, Sections 8 and 9
of this test method. 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1435 Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics
D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal Pressure
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
F876 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test Methods.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2018May 1, 2021. Published August 2018May 2021. Originally approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 20122018 as
F2657–07(2012).F2657–07(2018). .DOI: 10.1520/F2657-07R18.10.1520/F2657-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2657 − 21
F2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe, Tubing and Systems to
Hot Chlorinated Water
G147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonmetallic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Terminology F412 and abbreviations are in accordance with Terminology
D1600, unless otherwise indicated.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 nominal exposure time period, n—the number of months corresponding to the measured TUV as defined in Table 1.
3.2.2 polar orientation, n—the longitudinal direction of the specimens with respect to the Equator.
3.2.3 solar UV radiation, n—the portion of the light spectrum falling within the range of 295nm to 385nm.
3.2.4 total solar UV radiation (TUV), n—the sum of measured UV Energy for the time period specimens are exposed, expressed
2
in MJ/m . The historical average mo
...