ASTM F876-22a

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 where 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 and pressure, environmental stress cracking, stabilizer functionality, bent-tube hydrostatic pressure, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated water, UV resistance, and degree of crosslinking. Requirements for tubing markings are also given. The components covered by this specification are intended for use in, but not limited to, residential and commercial, hot- and cold-potable water distribution systems, reclaimed water, fire protection, municipal water service lines, radiant heating and cooling systems, hydronic distribution systems, snow and ice melting systems, geothermal ground loops, district heating, turf conditioning, compressed air distribution and building services pipe, provided that the PEX tubing covered herein complies with applicable code requirements.  
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 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. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions that may not be exact equivalents to either SI units or inch-pound units and that are provided for information only.  
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, 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 27-Mar-2022
• 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 −22a An American 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
NOTE—Table 6 was editorially corrected and the year date was changed on March 28, 2022.
1. Scope* equivalents to either SI units or inch-pound units and that are
provided for information only.
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
(PEX) tubing that incorporates an optional polymeric inner,
test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: This
middle or outer layer and that is outside diameter controlled,
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
made in nominal SDR9 tubing dimension ratios except where
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
noted, and pressure rated for water at three temperatures (see
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
Appendix X1). Included are requirements and test methods for
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
material,workmanship,dimensions,burstpressure,hydrostatic
regulatory limitations prior to use.
sustained pressure, excessive temperature and pressure, envi-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ronmental stress cracking, stabilizer functionality, bent-tube
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
hydrostatic pressure, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
water, UV resistance, and degree of crosslinking. Require-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ments for tubing markings are also given. The components
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
covered by this specification are intended for use in, but not
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
limited to, residential and commercial, hot- and cold-potable
water distribution systems, reclaimed water, fire protection,
2. Referenced Documents
municipal water service lines, radiant heating and cooling
2
systems, hydronic distribution systems, snow and ice melting
2.1 ASTM Standards:
systems, geothermal ground loops, district heating, turf
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
conditioning, compressed air distribution and building services
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
pipe, provided that the PEX tubing covered herein complies
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
with applicable code requirements.
D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
Gradient Technique
1.2 Thetextofthisspecificationreferencesnotes,footnotes,
D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe
and appendixes which provide explanatory material. These
Under Constant Internal Pressure
notesandfootnotes(excludingthoseintablesandfigures)shall
D1599 Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic
not be considered as requirements of the specification.
Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
D1600 TerminologyforAbbreviatedTermsRelatingtoPlas-
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
tics
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to 3
D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics (Withdrawn 1998)
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Ther-
used independently of the other, and values from the two
moplastic Pipe and Fittings
systems shall not be combined. The values given in parenthe-
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
ses are mathematical conversions that may not be exact
Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
1 2
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F17 on Plastic For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.26 on Olefin contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Based Pipe. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 28, 2022. Published April 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 2022 as F876 – 22. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/F0876-22A. www.astm.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears
...

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: F876 − 22 F876 − 22a 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
NOTE—Table 6 was editorially corrected and the year date was changed on March 28, 2022.
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 where 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 and pressure, environmental stress cracking,
stabilizer functionality, bent-tube hydrostatic pressure, oxidative stability in potable chlorinated water, UV resistance, and degree
of crosslinking. Requirements for tubing markings are also given. The components covered by this specification are intended for
use in, but not limited to, residential and commercial, hot- and cold-potable water distribution systems, reclaimed water, fire
protection, municipal water service lines, radiant heating and cooling systems, hydronic distribution systems, snow and ice melting
systems, geothermal ground loops, district heating, turf conditioning, compressed air distribution and building services pipe,
provided that the PEX tubing covered herein complies with applicable code requirements.
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 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. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions that may not be exact equivalents to either SI units or inch-pound units and that are provided for
information only.
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, 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.
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, 2022March 28, 2022. Published February 2022April 2022. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 20202022 as
F876 – 20b.F876 – 22. DOI: 10.1520/F0876-22.10.1520/F0876-22A.
*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 − 22a
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 Term
...