ASTM F2657-07
(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 F 876 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. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered 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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An American National Standard
Designation:F2657–07
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 for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
crosslinkedpolyethylene(PEX)tubingproducedinaccordance
Plastics
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 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX)
method outlines the requirements for specimen size and
Tubing
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 to
NOTE 1—While other laboratory UV exposure systems are available,
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
nology F412 and abbreviations are in accordance with Termi-
for short periods of time prior to installation completely
nology D1600, unless otherwise indicated.
shielded from sunlight.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.2.1 nominal exposure time period, n—the number of
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
months corresponding to the measured TUV as defined in
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
Table 1.
tion only and are not considered standard.
3.2.2 polar orientation, n—the longitudinal direction of the
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
specimens with respect to the Equator.
test method and post exposure testing portions, Sections 8 and
3.2.3 solar UV radiation, n—the portion of the light spec-
9 of this test method.This standard does not purport to address
trum falling within the range of 295nm to 385nm.
all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is
3.2.4 total solar UV radiation (TUV), n—the sum of mea-
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish
sured UV Energy for the time period specimens are exposed,
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the 2
expressed in MJ/m . The historical average monthly TUV
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
valuesforCentralArizona,5°offhorizontalexposurearelisted
in Table 1.
2. Referenced Documents
3.2.5 tubing bow, n—the resultant curvature of a tubing
2.1 ASTM Standards:
sample taken from a coil.
D1435 Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics
3.2.6 UV energy, n—the amount of solar UV radiation per
unit time based on a 5° off horizontal specimen placement for
Central Arizona expressed as MJ/m .
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test
3.2.6.1 Discussion—UV Energy for Central Arizona was
Methods.
selected as it represents the worst case North American
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2007. Published January 2008. DOI: 10.1520/
location based on a 4-year average of 1998 through 2001. This
F2657-07.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or information was provided by Atlas Material Testing Technol-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ogy LLC.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F2657–07
A
TABLE 1 Total UV (TUV) Energy per Monthly Time Period
6.2 Specimen Rack—Specimen racks shall be in accordance
Nominal Exposure TUV Solar Radiation Highest Consecutive with Practice D1435 and shall allow for vertical mounting of
Time Period MJ/m UV Month Range
samples free of torsional or tensile stress. The rack shall
1 month 40 June
position the exposed surface of the specimens at a tilt angle in
2 months 80 May-June
the range of 5° to 45° inclusive.
3 months 119 May-July
6.3 Backing— specimens shall be tested un-backed.
4 months 154 May-August
5 months 187 April-August
6.4 UV Energy Measurement Equipment— UV radiation
6 months 218 April-September
shall be measured using an Ultraviolet Radiometer conforming
7 months 246 March-September
8 months 270 March-October to the requirements of Practice D1435. Radiometer shall be
9 months 289 February-October
mounted in the same attitude as the exposed samples.
10 months 307 February-November
11 months 324 January-November
12 months 339 January-December 7. Sampling and Specimen Preparation
A
Solar UV radiation is based on CentralArizona 5° off horizontal for the 4 year
7.1 Sampling—specimens shall be representative of the
periodof1998through2001asreportedbyAtlasandTestingandTechnologyLLC.
product/material being evaluated. Select a sufficient amount of
tubing to satisfy the testing requirements. Specimens can be
4. Summary of Test Method
straight or can have a bow when cut from a coil.
4.1 PEX tubing specimens are exposed to solar UV radia-
7.2 Test Specimen Size—PEX tubing specimens shall be of
tion for a period of time and then removed. The exposed
nominal size ⁄2 in., SDR 9, and shall be a minimum of 380
specimens are then tested in accordance with one of the
mm (15 in.) in length for the UV exposure portion of this
following methods:
method.
4.2 Potable Water Applications—UV exposed specimens
7.3 Number of Test Specimens:
are tested at one temperature and pressure condition in accor-
7.3.1 Post Exposure Testing to Test Method F2023—when a
dance with Test Method F2023 to determine the average time
complete data set exists for the PEX material being evaluated
to failure. The average time to failure for the UV-exposed
toTest Method F2023 and that data will be used for calculation
specimens is then compared to the average time to failure of
in accordance with 10.4, a minimum of five specimens are
non UV-exposed specimens of the same PEX material or to the
required. When no data set exists for the PEX material being
predicted time to failure for the same material based on a
evaluated to Test Method F2023, or the existing data set will
completeTestMethodF2023dataset.Thepercentagedecrease
notbeusedforcalculationinaccordancewith10.4,aminimum
in the average time to failure for the UV exposed specimens
of ten specimens are required, five for UV exposure and five
and the TUV of the exposure are reported.
for the non UV-exposed portion of this method.
4.3 Non-Potable Water Applications— PEX tubing for non-
7.3.2 Post-Exposure Testing to Stabilizer Functionality—a
potable water applications is post-exposure tested in accor-
minimum of six specimens are required when stabilizer func-
dance with 4.2 or, alternately, tested in accordance with the
tionality is used for post UV exposure testing.
stabilizer functionality test in Specification F876. The pass or
NOTE 2—The minimum specimen requirements are based on a single
fail result of the stabilizer functionality test and theTUVof the
Nominal Exposure Time Period (NETP) for the material being evaluated.
exposure are reported.
When the expected NETP for the material is unknown, additional
specimens may be UV exposed for various levels of NETP and post-
5. Significance and Use
exposure test data can be evaluated against non-UV exposed data.
5.1 During shipment, storage and installation, PEX tubing
may be exposed to UV radiation prior to being shielded from
8. Procedure
further exposure after installation. The effects of UV exposure
8.1 Required Specimens—obtain sufficient specimens in
on PEX tubing is determined by use of this test method. By
accordance with Section 7.
first exposing specimens to solar UV radiation and subse-
8.2 Preparation—condition and prepare specimens in ac-
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