ASTM E3167/E3167M-18(2023)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Conventional Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene Electrofusion Joints
Standard Practice for Conventional Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene Electrofusion Joints
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This practice is intended primarily for the manual ultrasonic scanning of electrofusion joints used in the construction and maintenance of polyethylene piping systems.
5.2 Polyethylene piping has been used instead of steel alloys in the petrochemical, power, water, gas distribution, and mining industries due to its reliability and resistance to corrosion and erosion.
5.3 This practice is not intended to provide 100 % joint examination. This practice specifies a minimum scanning grid that represents only a portion of the welded interface. As such, there exists a possibility of omitting flaws. In addition, selected areas of the welded interface may not be accessible. The extent of examination shall be specified in the contractual agreement.
5.4 The joining process can be subject to a variety of flaws including, but not limited to, lack of fusion, particulate contamination, short-stab depth, inclusions, and voids.
5.5 Polyethylene material can have a range of acoustic characteristics that make electrofusion joint examination difficult. Polyethylene materials are highly attenuative, which often limits the use of higher ultrasonic frequencies. It also exhibits a natural high frequency filtering effect. An example of the range of acoustic characteristics is provided in Table 1.6 The table notes the wide range of acoustic velocities reported in the literature. This makes it essential that the reference blocks are made from pipes with the same Specification D3350 density cell classification as the electrofusion fitting examined. (A) A range of velocity and attenuation values have been noted in the literature (1-9).
5.6 Polyethylene is reported to have a shear velocity of 987 m/s. However, due to extremely high attenuation in shear mode (on the order of 5 dB/mm [127 dB/inch] at 2 MHz) no practical examinations can be carried out using shear mode (6).
5.7 Due to the wide range of applications, joint acceptance criteria for polyethylene pipe are usually ...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice establishes a procedure for ultrasonic testing (UT) of electrofusion joints in polyethylene pipe systems. This practice provides one ultrasonic examination procedure for ultrasonic pulse-echo straight beam contact testing, using straight-beam longitudinal waves introduced by direct contact of the search unit with the material being examined.
1.2 The practice is intended to be used on polyethylene electrofusion socket (for example, couplings) and saddle (for example, tees) fittings for use on polyethylene pipe ranging in diameters from nominal 0.5 in. to 12 in. [12 mm to 300 mm] with pipe dimension ratios (DR) ranging from 6.3 to 17. Greater and lesser thicknesses and greater and lesser diameters may be tested using this practice if the technique can be demonstrated to provide adequate detection on mockups of the same wall thickness and geometry.
1.3 This practice does not address ultrasonic examination of butt fusions. Ultrasonic testing of polyethylene butt fusion joints is addressed in Practice E3044/E3044M.
Note 1: The notes in this practice are for information only and shall not be considered part of this practice.
Note 2: This standard references HDPE and MDPE materials for pipe applications defined by Specification D3350.
1.4 This practice does not specify acceptance criteria. Refer to Specification F1055 and Practice F1290 for destructive acceptance criteria.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
1.6 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 safet...
General Information
Relations
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: E3167/E3167M − 18 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Conventional Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic Testing of Polyethylene
Electrofusion Joints
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3167/E3167M; 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 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
1.1 This practice establishes a procedure for ultrasonic
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
testing (UT) of electrofusion joints in polyethylene pipe
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
systems. This practice provides one ultrasonic examination
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
procedure for ultrasonic pulse-echo straight beam contact
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
testing, using straight-beam longitudinal waves introduced by
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
direct contact of the search unit with the material being
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
examined.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 The practice is intended to be used on polyethylene
electrofusion socket (for example, couplings) and saddle (for
2. Referenced Documents
example, tees) fittings for use on polyethylene pipe ranging in
diameters from nominal 0.5 in. to 12 in. [12 mm to 300 mm]
2.1 The following documents form a part of this practice to
with pipe dimension ratios (DR) ranging from 6.3 to 17.
the extent specified herein.
Greater and lesser thicknesses and greater and lesser diameters
2.2 ASTM Standards:
may be tested using this practice if the technique can be
D3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fit-
demonstrated to provide adequate detection on mockups of the
tings Materials
same wall thickness and geometry.
E114 Practice for Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Straight-Beam
1.3 This practice does not address ultrasonic examination of
Contact Testing
butt fusions. Ultrasonic testing of polyethylene butt fusion
E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
joints is addressed in Practice E3044/E3044M.
Testing
NOTE 1—The notes in this practice are for information only and shall
E1316 Terminology for Nondestructive Examinations
not be considered part of this practice.
E3044/E3044M Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Polyeth-
NOTE 2—This standard references HDPE and MDPE materials for pipe
ylene Butt Fusion Joints
applications defined by Specification D3350.
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
1.4 This practice does not specify acceptance criteria. Refer
F1055 Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyethylene
to Specification F1055 and Practice F1290 for destructive
Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene
acceptance criteria.
and Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe and Tubing
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
F1290 Practice for Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
Fittings
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
2.3 ASNT Standards:
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
ASNT Practice SNT-TC-1A Personnel Qualification and
used independently of the other, and values from the two
Certification in Nondestructive Testing
systems shall not be combined.
ANSI/ASNT-CP-189 Standard for Qualification and Certifi-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
cation of Nondestructive Testing Personnel
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E07 on Nonde- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.06 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Ultrasonic Method. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 2018. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E3167/E3167M – 18. Available from American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), P.O. Box
DOI: 10.1520/E3167_E3167M-18R23. 28518, 1711 Arlingate Ln., Columbus, OH 43228-0518, http://www.asnt.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E3167/E3167M − 18 (2023)
2.4 AIA Document: 3.2.7 particulate contamination, n—fine particles, such as
NAS 410 Certification and Qualification of Nondestructive airborne dust, or coarse particles, such as sand and grit, that are
Testing Personnel present at the fusion interface.
2.5 ISO Standard:
4. Summary of Practice
ISO 9712 Non-Destructive Testing—Qualification and Cer-
4.1 This practice provides a general description of the
tification of NDT Personnel
procedures to carry out ultrasonic examination of polyethylene
electrofusion joints in pipeline systems.
3. Terminology
4.2 This practice uses sound waves to examine electrofusion
3.1 Definitions—Related terminology is defined in Termi-
joints made of polyethylene in order to identify and size
nology E1316 and Terminology F412.
internal fusion joint flaws with the intent to non-destructively
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
assess overall joint quality.
3.2.1 cell classification, n—for polyethylene pipe resin, this
4.3 This practice has principles common to those found in
is a six-digit code and letter describing the primary properties
Practice E114 where pulse-echo straight-beam contact testing
that are considered important in the manufacture of PE piping,
is described.
in the heat fusion joining of this material, and in defining the
4.4 This practice recommends the use of properly fused
long-term performance capabilities and color/UV stability. The
joints as a reference aid to identify flaws.
classification categories are defined in Specification D3350.
4.5 Examination results using this practice may be used in
3.2.2 dimension ratio (DR), n—the average specified out-
combination with acceptance criteria based on workmanship or
side pipe diameter divided by the minimum specified wall
fitness for purpose.
thickness.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The wall thickness increases when the
5. Significance and Use
DR decreases.
5.1 This practice is intended primarily for the manual
3.2.2.2 Discussion—Standard Dimension Ratio (SDR) is an
ultrasonic scanning of electrofusion joints used in the construc-
ANSI term to describe specific DRs in the series, for example
tion and maintenance of polyethylene piping systems.
SDR9, SDR11, SDR17, and others.
5.2 Polyethylene piping has been used instead of steel alloys
3.2.3 electrofusion joint, n—a joint made by using an
in the petrochemical, power, water, gas distribution, and
electrofusion type fitting where a heat source is an integral part
mining industries due to its reliability and resistance to
of the fitting. The pipe is inserted into the socket of the fitting
corrosion and erosion.
or the saddle of the fitting is placed over the pipe. When an
electric current is applied, heat is produced that melts the
5.3 This practice is not intended to provide 100 % joint
plastic of both the fitting and pipe resulting in a continuous
examination. This practice specifies a minimum scanning grid
joint between the fitting and the pipe. It is recommended that
that represents only a portion of the welded interface. As such,
the fusion procedures comply with Practice F1290 and fittings
there exists a possibility of omitting flaws. In addition, selected
to Specification F1055.
areas of the welded interface may not be accessible. The extent
of examination shall be specified in the contractual agreement.
3.2.4 high density polyethylene (HDPE), n—a tough,
flexible, thermoplastic resin made by polymerizing ethylene,
5.4 The joining process can be subject to a variety of flaws
3 3
having a density range of >0.940 g/cm to 0.955 g/cm in
including, but not limited to, lack of fusion, particulate
accordance with Specification D3350.
contamination, short-stab depth, inclusions, and voids.
3.2.5 material designations, n—a shortened code to identify
5.5 Polyethylene material can have a range of acoustic
the pipe material’s short-term and long-term properties.
characteristics that make electrofusion joint examination diffi-
3.2.5.1 Discussion—For polyethylene, the “PE-XXXX”
cult. Polyethylene materials are highly attenuative, which often
material designation represents the density (first digit), slow
limits the use of higher ultrasonic frequencies. It also exhibits
crack growth resistance (second digit) and hydrostatic design
a natural high frequency filtering effect. An example of the
stress (HDS, last two digits) where Specification D3350 is the
range of acoustic characteristics is provided in Table 1. The
reference.
table notes the wide range of acoustic velocities reported in the
literature. This makes it essential that the reference blocks are
3.2.6 medium density polyethylene (MDPE), n—a tough,
made from pipes with the same Specification D3350 density
flexible, thermoplastic resin made by polymerizing ethylene,
3 3
cell classification as the electrofusion fitting examined.
having density range of >0.925 g/cm to 0.940 g/cm in
accordance with Specification D3350.
5.6 Polyethylene is reported to have a shear velocity of
987 m ⁄s. However, due to extremely high attenuation in shear
mode (on the order of 5 dB ⁄mm [127 dB/inch] at 2 MHz) no
4 practical examinations can be carried out using shear mode (6).
Available from Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 1000 Wilson Blvd.,
Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Central Secretariat, BIBC II, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
Geneva, Switzerland, http://www.iso.org. this standard.
E3167/E3167M − 18 (2023)
A
TABLE 1 Polyethylene Velocity and Attenuation
cable edition of Specification E543 shall be specified in the
Compression Mode
contractual agreement.
Attenuation at 2 MHz Attenuation at 5 MHz
Velocity
dB/mm [dB/in.] dB/mm [dB/in.]
m/s [in./μs]
6.4 Procedures and Techniques—The procedures and tech-
2100 to 2670 0.6 to 1.5 1.1 to 2.3
niques to be used shall be as specified in the contractual
[0.082 to 0.105] [15.2 to 38] [27.9 to 58]
agreement. If required, performance demonstrations shall be
A
A range of velocity and attenuation values have been noted in the literature (1-9).
carried out on electrofusion joints containing all of the flaw
types (for example, lack of fusion, particulate contamination,
short stab depth, etc.) that are required to be detected in the
5.7 Due to the wide range of applications, joint acceptance
contractual agreement.
criteria for polyethylene pipe are usually project-specific.
6.5 Surface Preparation—The pre-examination surface
5.8 A cross-sectional view of typical electrofusion joints
preparation shall be in accordance with Section 7 unless
between polyethylene pipe and coupling and between pipe and
otherwise specified.
saddle are illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, respectively.
6.6 Timing of Examination—The timing of the examination
6. Basis of Application
shall be in accordance with Section 7 unless otherwise speci-
fied.
6.1 The following items are subject to contractual agree-
ment between the parties using or referencing this standard.
6.7 Extent of Examination—The extent of examination shall
6.2 Personnel Qualification—If specified in the contractual
include the surface grid area as defined in Section 7, as a
agreement, personnel performing examinations to this standard
minimum, unless otherwise specified in the contract.
shall be qualified in accordance with a nationally or interna-
6.8 Reporting Criteria—Reporting criteria for the examina-
tionally recognized NDT personnel qualification practice or
tion results shall be in accordance with Section 8 unless
standard such as ANSI/ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, NAS 410,
otherwise specified. Since acceptance criteria are not specified
ISO 9712, or a similar document and certified by the employer
in this standard, they shall be specified in the contractual
or certifying agency, as applicable. The practice or standard
agreement.
used and its applicable revision shall be identified in the
contractual agreement between the using parties.
6.9 Re-examination of Repaired/Reworked Items—Re-
6.3 Qualification of Nondestructive Agencies—If specified examination of repaired/reworked items is not addressed in this
in the contractual agreement, NDT agencies shall be qualified standard and if required shall be specified in the contractual
and evaluated as described in Specification E543. The appli- agreement.
FIG. 1 Typical Cross-Sectional View of an Electrofusion Coupling Joint
E3167/E3167M − 18 (2023)
FIG. 2 Typical Cross-Sectional View of an Electrofusion Saddle Tee Joint
TABLE 2 Recommended Probe Sizing
7. Apparatus and Procedures Nominal Search Unit Outer
Minimum Fitting Size (IPS)
Diameter, mm [inch]
7.1 Electronic Instruments and Search Units—The type of
6 [0.25] $1/2
instrument(s) used for the examinations specified in Section 7
10 [0.375] $1/2
12 [0.5] $1
shall conform to the applicable requirements of Practice E114.
20 [0.75] $3
7.1.1 Search units shall produce pulses with a nominal
25 [1] $6
center frequency in the range of 1 MHz to 10 MHz. The search
32 [1.25] $10
unit diameter and frequency should be selected such that the
fusion interface lies in the far-field and the diameter shall be
selected to allow multiple measurements over the fusion
interface as required by 7.6. as attenuation, noise level, and sound velocity, shall be similar
to the material to be examined in accordance with A1.2.
NOTE 3—In some cases, due to the fusion interface depth and the
Standardization verifies that the instrument and search unit are
limitation of available search units, the interface depth may occur in the
performing as required and sets a sensitivity level. The
near-field. In such cases, sizing of indications will be less reliable.
NOTE 4—For saddles, the fusion interface m
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.