ASTM F876-13

Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing

ABSTRACT
This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing that is outside diameter controlled, made in standard thermoplastic tubing dimension ratios, and pressure rated for water at three temperatures. This specification covers one PEX tubing material in one standard dimension ratio and having pressure ratings for water of three temperatures. The pressure ratings decrease as the temperature is increased. PEX tubing shall be made from polyethylene compounds which have been crosslinked by peroxides, Azo compounds, or silane compounds in extrusion, or by electron beam after extrusion, or by other means such that the tubing meets the performance requirements. The following tests shall be performed: dimensions and tolerances; density; sustained pressure test; burst pressure; environmental stress cracking test; degree of crosslinking; stabilizer functionality; and oxidative stability in potable chlorinated water applications.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing that incorporates an optional polymeric inner, middle or outer layer and that is outside diameter controlled, made in nominal SDR9 tubing dimension ratios except were noted, 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, excessive temperature-pressure, environmental stress cracking, stabilizer functionality, bent-tube hydrostatic pressure, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated water, and degree of crosslinking. Requirements for tubing markings are also given.  
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 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.  
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: 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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Apr-2013
• ICS: 23.040.20 - Plastics pipes
• Technical Committee: F17 - Plastic Piping Systems
• Drafting Committee: F17.26 - Olefin Based Pipe

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F876 −13 AnAmerican National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF876;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyearoforiginal
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene
Gradient Technique
(PEX) tubing that incorporates an optional polymeric inner,
D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe
middle or outer layer and that is outside diameter controlled,
Under Constant Internal Pressure
made in nominal SDR9 tubing dimension ratios except were
D1599 Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic
noted, and pressure rated for water at three temperatures (see
Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings
Appendix X1). Included are requirements and test methods for
material,workmanship,dimensions,burstpressure,hydrostatic D1600 TerminologyforAbbreviatedTermsRelatingtoPlas-
sustained pressure, excessive temperature pressure, excessive tics
3
temperature-pressure, environmental stress cracking, stabilizer
D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Withdrawn 1998)
functionality,bent-tubehydrostaticpressure,oxidativestability
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Ther-
in potable chlorinated water, and degree of crosslinking.
moplastic Pipe and Fittings
Requirements for tubing markings are also given.
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
1.2 Thetextofthisspecificationreferencesnotes,footnotes,
D2837 Test Method for Obtaining Hydrostatic Design Basis
and appendixes which provide explanatory material. These
notesandfootnotes(excludingthoseintablesandfigures)shall forThermoplasticPipeMaterialsorPressureDesignBasis
not be considered as requirements of the specification. for Thermoplastic Pipe Products
D3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Poly-
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
olefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
F1281 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene/
and are not considered standard.
Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX)
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
Pressure Pipe
test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: This
F2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
to Hot Chlorinated Water
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
F2657 Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
tions prior to use.
2.2 ANSI Standard:
2. Referenced Documents 4
B36.10 Standards Dimensions of Steel Pipe (IPS)
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2.3 Federal Standard:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing 5
FED-STD-123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
2.4 Military Standard:
5
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.26 on Olefin
Based Pipe.
3
Current edition approved April 15, 2013. Published April 2013. Originally The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
ε1
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 2010 as F876 – 010 . DOI: www.astm.org.
4
10.1520/F0876-13. Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
5
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4,
Standards volumeinformation,refertothestandard’sDocumentSummarypageon Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://
the ASTM website. www.dodssp.daps.mil.
*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
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F876−13
TABLE 1 Wal
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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.
´1
Designation: F876 − 10 F876 − 13 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F876; 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
ε NOTE—3.2.7.2 was editorially corrected in October 2011.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing that incorporates an optional polymeric inner, middle or
outer layer and that is outside diameter controlled, made in nominal SDR9 tubing dimension ratios except were noted, 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, excessive temperature-pressure,
environmental stress cracking, stabilizer functionality, bent-tube hydrostatic pressure, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated
water, and degree of crosslinking. Requirements for tubing markings are also given.
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 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.
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: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
2
2.1 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
3
D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Withdrawn 1998)
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
F1281 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene/Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) Pressure Pipe
F2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems to Hot
Chlorinated Water
F2657 Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.26 on Olefin Based
Pipe.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2010April 15, 2013. Published March 2010April 2013. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 20082010 as
ε1
F876 – 08b.F876 – 010 . DOI: 10.1520/F0876-09E01.10.1520/F0876-13.
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.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
*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

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F876 − 13
TABLE 1 Wall Thickness and Tolerances fo
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