ASTM F2657-07(2012)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
Standard Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: F2657 − 07 (Reapproved 2012)
Standard Test Method for
Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene
(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 D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe
Under Constant Internal Pressure
1.1 This test method describes the procedure for exposing
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
crosslinkedpolyethylene(PEX)tubingproducedinaccordance
tics
with Specification F876 to natural (sunlight) ultraviolet (UV)
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
radiation and evaluating the effects of the exposure. This test
F876 SpecificationforCrosslinkedPolyethylene(PEX)Tub-
method outlines the requirements for specimen size and
ing
preparation, exposure orientation, minimum UV exposure
F2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance
energy, post exposure testing and reporting.
of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems
NOTE 1—While other laboratory UV exposure systems are available,
to Hot Chlorinated Water
this test method relies on natural sunlight as the UV radiation source.
G147 Practice for Conditioning and Handling of Nonmetal-
Laboratory methods may be added in the future if testing confirms a
lic Materials for Natural and Artificial Weathering Tests
correlation between natural sunlight and laboratory exposure.
1.2 PEX tubing is not designed for outdoor use. Data from
3. Terminology
short-term exposure testing per this test method can be used to
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
judge the relative performance of PEX tubing stored outdoors
for short periods of time prior to installation completely nology F412 and abbreviations are in accordance with Termi-
nology D1600, unless otherwise indicated.
shielded from sunlight.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 3.2.1 nominal exposure time period, n—the number of
standard.
months corresponding to the measured TUV as defined in
Table 1.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
test method and post exposure testing portions, Sections 8 and
3.2.2 polar orientation, n—the longitudinal direction of the
9ofthistestmethod. This standard does not purport to address
specimens with respect to the Equator.
all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is
3.2.3 solar UV radiation, n—the portion of the light spec-
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish
trum falling within the range of 295nm to 385nm.
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.2.4 total solar UV radiation (TUV), n—the sum of mea-
sured UV Energy for the time period specimens are exposed,
expressed in MJ/m . The historical average monthly TUV
2. Referenced Documents
valuesforCentralArizona,5°offhorizontalexposurearelisted
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in Table 1.
D1435 Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics
3.2.5 tubing bow, n—the resultant curvature of a tubing
sample taken from a coil.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic 3.2.6 UV energy, n—the amount of solar UV radiation per
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test
unit time based on a 5° off horizontal specimen placement for
Methods. 2
Central Arizona expressed as MJ/m .
Current edition approved March 1, 2012. Published April 2012. Originally
3.2.6.1 Discussion—UV Energy for Central Arizona was
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F2657–07.DOI:
10.1520/F2657-07R12.
selected as it represents the worst case North American
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
location based on a 4-year average of 1998 through 2001. This
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
information was provided by Atlas Material Testing Technol-
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. ogy LLC.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2657 − 07 (2012)
A
TABLE 1 Total UV (TUV) Energy per Monthly Time Period
6. Apparatus
Nominal Exposure TUV Solar Radiation Highest Consecutive
2 6.1 Test Site—Exposure site shall be in accordance with
Time Period MJ/m UV Month Range
1 month 40 June
Practice D1435 and shall be in a hot, dry climate (for example,
2 months 80 May-June
Phoenix, AZ).
3 months 119 May-July
4 months 154 May-August
6.2 Specimen Rack—Specimen racks shall be in accordance
5 months 187 April-August
with Practice D1435 and shall allow for vertical mounting of
6 months 218 April-September
samples free of torsional or tensile stress. The rack shall
7 months 246 March-September
8 months 270 March-October
position the exposed surface of the specimens at a tilt angle in
9 months 289 February-October
the range of 5° to 45° inclusive.
10 months 307 February-November
11 months 324 January-November
6.3 Backing—specimens shall be tested un-backed.
12 months 339 January-December
A
6.4 UV Energy Measurement Equipment— UV radiation
Solar UV radiation is based on Central Arizona 5° off horizontal for the 4 year
periodof1998through2001asreportedbyAtlasandTestingandTechnologyLLC.
shall be measured using an Ultraviolet Radiometer conforming
to the requirements of Practice D1435. Radiometer shall be
mounted in the same attitude as the exposed samples.
7. Sampling and Specimen Preparation
4. Summary of Test Method
7.1 Sampling—specimens shall be representative of the
4.1 PEX tubing specimens are exposed to solar UV radia-
product/material being evaluated. Select a sufficient amount of
tion for a period of time and then removed. The exposed
tubing to satisfy the testing requirements. Specimens can be
specimens are then tested in accordance with one of the
straight or can have a bow when cut from a coil.
following methods:
7.2 Test Specimen Size—PEX tubing specimens shall be of
4.2 Potable Water Applications—UV exposed specimens
nominalsize ⁄2 in.,SDR9,andshallbeaminimumof380mm
are tested at one temperature and pressure condition in accor- (15 in.) in length for the UV exposure portion of this method.
dance with Test Method F2023 to determine the average time
7.3 Number of Test Specimens:
to failure. The average time to failure for the UV-exposed
7.3.1 Post Exposure Testing to Test Method F2023—when a
specimens is then compared to the average time to failure of
complete data set exists for the PEX material being evaluated
non UV-exposed specimens of the same PEX material or to the
toTest Method F2023 and that data will be used for calculation
predicted time to failure for the same material based on a
in accordance with 10.4, a minimum of five specimens are
completeTestMethodF2023dataset.Thepercentagedecrease
required. When no data set exists for the PEX material being
in the average time to failure for the UV exposed specimens
evaluated to Test Method F2023, or the existing data set will
and the TUV of the exposure are reported.
notbeusedforcalculationinaccordancewith10.4,aminimum
of ten specimens are required, five for UV exposure and five
4.3 Non-Potable Water Applications— PEX tubing for non-
potable water applications is post-exposure tested in accor- for the non UV-exposed portion of this method.
dance with 4.2 or, alternately, tested in accordance with the 7.3.2 Post-Exposure Testing to Stabilizer Functionality — a
stabilizer functionality test in Specification F876. The pass or minimum of six specimens are required when stabilizer func-
fail result of the stabilizer functionality test and theTUVof the
tionality is used for post UV exposure testing.
exposure are reported.
NOTE 2—The minimum specimen requirements are based on a single
Nominal Exposure Time Period (NETP) for the material being evaluated.
5. Significance and Use
When the expected NETP for the material is unknown, additional
specimens may be UV exposed for various levels of NETP and post-
5.1 During shipment, storage and installation, PEX tubing
exposure test data can be evaluated against non-UV exposed data.
may be exposed to UV radiation prior to being shielded from
further exposure after installation. The effects of UV exposure
8. Procedure
on PEX tubing is determined by use of this test method. By
8.1 Required Specimens—obtain sufficient specimens in ac-
first exposing specimens to solar UV radiation and subse-
cordance with Section 7.
quently testing specimens f
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