ASTM F1290-98a(2004)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
Standard Practice for Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Using the procedures in Sections 8 and 9, the manufacturer’instructions and equipment, pressure-tight joints can be made between manufacturer-recommended combinations of pipe that are as strong as the pipe itself.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes general procedures for making joints with polyolefin pipe and fittings by means of electrofusion joining techniques. These should be regarded as general procedures and not as a substitute for the installation procedures specified by the manufacturers. Manufacturers should be requested to supply specific recommendations for joining their products. Note 1Reference to the manufacturer in this practice is defined as the electrofusion fitting manufacturer.
1.2 The techniques covered are applicable only to joining polyolefin pipe and fittings of related polymer chemistry, for example, polyethylenes to polyethylenes using a polyethylene electrofusion fitting. Consult the manufacturer's recommendations for compatibility of the electrofusion fitting with the specific pipe or fitting material to be joined.
1.3 The electrofusion joining technique described can produce sound joints between polyolefin pipe and fittings, provided that all products involved (that is, pipe and fittings) meet the appropriate ASTM specifications.
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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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An American National Standard
Designation: F1290 – 98a (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Practice for
Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1290; 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 F1055 Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyethylene
Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene
1.1 This practice describes general procedures for making
Pipe and Tubing
joints with polyolefin pipe and fittings by means of electrofu-
sion joining techniques. These should be regarded as general
3. Terminology
procedures and not as a substitute for the installation proce-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
dures specified by the manufacturers. Manufacturers should be
nology F412, and abbreviations are in accordance with Termi-
requested to supply specific recommendations for joining their
nology D1600, unless otherwise specified.
products.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
NOTE 1—Referencetothemanufacturerinthispracticeisdefinedasthe
3.2.1 control box—the apparatus placed between the power
electrofusion fitting manufacturer.
source and the electrofusion fitting to regulate energy input to
1.2 The techniques covered are applicable only to joining
the fitting.
polyolefin pipe and fittings of related polymer chemistry, for
4. Significance and Use
example, polyethylenes to polyethylenes using a polyethylene
electrofusion fitting. Consult the manufacturer’s recommenda-
4.1 Using the procedures in Sections 8 and 9, the manufac-
tions for compatibility of the electrofusion fitting with the turer’s instructions and equipment, pressure-tight joints can be
specific pipe or fitting material to be joined.
made between manufacturer-recommended combinations of
1.3 The electrofusion joining technique described can pro- pipe that are as strong as the pipe itself.
duce sound joints between polyolefin pipe and fittings, pro-
5. Operator Experience
vided that all products involved (that is, pipe and fittings) meet
the appropriate ASTM specifications. 5.1 Skill and knowledge on the part of the operator are
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the required to obtain a good quality joint. Each operator shall be
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the qualified in accordance with recommended procedures and any
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- regulatory agency or industry organization that has jurisdiction
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- over these practices.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 5.2 These procedures require the use of electrical and
mechanical equipment. The person responsible for the joining
2. Referenced Documents
of polyolefin pipe and fittings should ensure that recommended
2.1 ASTM Standards:
procedures developed for the electrofusion fittings involved,
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to including the safety precaution to be followed, are issued
Plastics
before joining operations commence. It is especially important
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems that the operator be aware of specific instructions regarding the
use of electrical equipment in the presence of a potentially
explosive environment.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.20 on Joining.
6. Electrofusion Joining Processes
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2004. Published November 2004. Originally
6.1 Electrofusion is a heat-fusion joining process where a
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as F1290 – 98a. DOI:
10.1520/F1290-98AR04.
heat source is an integral part of the fitting. When electric
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
current is applied, heat is produced, melting and joining the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
components.Fusionoccurswhenthejointcoolsbelowthemelt
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. temperature of the material. The specified fusion cycle used
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F1290 – 98a (2004)
requires consideration of the properties of the materials being porate either timers or sensing circuits which monitor tempera-
joined, the design of the fitting being used, and the environ- tures, current, or pressures in the fittings during the fusion
mental conditions. See Specification F1055 for performance process. Not all control boxes are compatible with all electro-
requirements of polyethylene electrofusion fittings. fusion fittings. Consult the manufacturer to determine the
6.2 Adequate joint strength for field testing is attained when compatibility of control boxes not made by the same manu-
the fitting is not disturbed or moved until the joint material facturer as the fitting.
cools (Note 2). Bond strength can be affected if the joint is not 8.1.4 Alignment Devices—Various types of alignment de-
allowed to cool sufficently. vices are available and may be required for a particular fitting.
The alignment device should prevent movement of the com-
NOTE 2—Polybutylene undergoes a crystalline transformation for sev-
ponents being joined during the fusion and cooling cycles.
eral days after cooling below its melt temperature.Although this phenom-
8.1.5 Surface Preparation Equipment—The purpose of sur-
enon has an effect on the ultimate physical properties of the material, its
effect on testing of joints has not been found to be significant. If there is face preparation is to remove surface contamination and
any question concerning the effects of crystallization, tests should be
oxidation from pipe or fitting spigot (Note 3).
conducted on joints that have been conditioned for different periods of
NOTE 3—Surface preparation is very important to assure total fusion.
time in order to establish the conditioning-time relationship.
8.1.5.1 Tools—A surface cleaning tool is required for cer-
7. Classification
tain fitting designs to remove the outer layer or skin of material
7.1 Technique 1: Coupling Type—The electrofusion cou-
on the pipe or fitting spigot surface prior to fusion. Tools used
pling technique involves heat fusion of pipes with a tubular
for that purpose are commonly called scrapers. Only qualified
fitting with pipe sections inserted in each end of the fitting.The
procedures and approved tools should be used. Emery cloth or
coupling contains an internal heat source. The heat source can
sandpaper is not recommended.
be: (1) a resistance wire coil located on the inner surface of the
8.1.6 Miscellaneous—The following equipment may be
fitting, or (2) the fitting itself can be made of an electrically
useful to assist in the electrofusion joining procedure:
conductive material. When electric current is applied, heat is
8.1.6.1 Tubing Cutter—Used to obtain square end cuts on
produced in the fitting melting the inside of the fitting and the
pipe.
outside of the pipe. The melted material from the
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