ASTM F1290-98a(2011)
(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's 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 1—Reference 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
Relations
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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:F1290 −98a (Reapproved 2011) An American National Standard
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 3. Terminology
1.1 This practice describes general procedures for making 3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
joints with polyolefin pipe and fittings by means of electrofu- nology F412, and abbreviations are in accordance with Termi-
sion joining techniques. These should be regarded as general nology D1600, unless otherwise specified.
procedures and not as a substitute for the installation proce-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
dures specified by the manufacturers. Manufacturers should be
3.2.1 control box—the apparatus placed between the power
requested to supply specific recommendations for joining their
source and the electrofusion fitting to regulate energy input to
products.
the fitting.
NOTE1—Referencetothemanufacturerinthispracticeisdefinedasthe
4. Significance and Use
electrofusion fitting manufacturer.
4.1 Using the procedures in Sections 8 and 9, the manufac-
1.2 The techniques covered are applicable only to joining
turer’s instructions and equipment, pressure-tight joints can be
polyolefin pipe and fittings of related polymer chemistry, for
made between manufacturer-recommended combinations of
example, polyethylenes to polyethylenes using a polyethylene
pipe that are as strong as the pipe itself.
electrofusion fitting. Consult the manufacturer’s recommenda-
tions for compatibility of the electrofusion fitting with the
5. Operator Experience
specific pipe or fitting material to be joined.
5.1 Skill and knowledge on the part of the operator are
1.3 The electrofusion joining technique described can pro-
required to obtain a good quality joint. Each operator shall be
duce sound joints between polyolefin pipe and fittings, pro-
qualified in accordance with recommended procedures and any
vided that all products involved (that is, pipe and fittings) meet
regulatory agency or industry organization that has jurisdiction
the appropriate ASTM specifications.
over these practices.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.2 These procedures require the use of electrical and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
mechanical equipment. The person responsible for the joining
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of polyolefin pipe and fittings should ensure that recommended
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
procedures developed for the electrofusion fittings involved,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
including the safety precaution to be followed, are issued
before joining operations commence. It is especially important
2. Referenced Documents
that the operator be aware of specific instructions regarding the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
use of electrical equipment in the presence of a potentially
D1600 Terminology forAbbreviatedTerms Relating to Plas-
explosive environment.
tics
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
6. Electrofusion Joining Processes
F1055 Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyethylene
6.1 Electrofusion is a heat-fusion joining process where a
Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene
heat source is an integral part of the fitting. When electric
and Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe and Tubing
current is applied, heat is produced, melting and joining the
components.Fusionoccurswhenthejointcoolsbelowthemelt
temperature of the material. The specified fusion cycle used
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.
requires consideration of the properties of the materials being
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2011. Published March 2011. Originally
joined, the design of the fitting being used, and the environ-
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F1290 – 98a(2004).
mental conditions. See Specification F1055 for performance
DOI: 10.1520/F1290-98AR11.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or requirements of polyethylene electrofusion fittings.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.2 Adequate joint strength for field testing is attained when
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. the fitting is not disturbed or moved until the joint material
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1290−98a (2011)
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
ponents being joined during the fusion and cooling cycles.
several days after cooling below its melt temperature. Although this
phenomenon has an effect on the ultimate physical properties of the 8.1.5 Surface Preparation Equipment—The purpose of sur-
material, its effect on testing of joints has not been found to be significant.
face preparation is to remove surface contamination and
If there is any question concerning the effects of crystallization, tests
oxidation from pipe or fitting spigot (Note 3).
should be conducted on joints that have been conditioned for different
periods of time in order to establish the conditioning-time relationship.
NOTE 3—Surface preparation is very important to assure total fusion.
8.1.5.1 Tools—Asurfacecleaningtoolisrequiredforcertain
7. Classification
fitting designs to remove the outer layer or skin of material on
7.1 Technique 1: Coupling Type—The electrofusion cou-
the pipe or fitting spigot surface prior to fusion. Tools used for
pling technique involves heat fusion of pipes with a tubular
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 two compo-
8.1.6.2 Marking Pen—Used to mark the fitting location on
nents flow together and fuse as the joint cools.Adevice should
the pipe surface for certain fitting designs. It may be useful to
be used to secure the joint and hold it in axial alignment during
mark the pipe to define the boundaries before scraping or
thejoiningprocess.Thedevicemaybeeitheranexternalclamp
abrading the pipe surface.
or one whi
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.