ASTM F876-09

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: 31-Jul-2009
• 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.
An American National Standard
Designation: F876 – 09
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* D1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-
Gradient Technique
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene
D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe
(PEX) tubing that incorporates an optional polymeric inner,
Under Constant Internal Pressure
middle or outer layer and that is outside diameter controlled,
D1599 TestMethodforResistancetoShort-TimeHydraulic
made in nominal SDR9 tubing dimension ratios except were
Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings
noted, and pressure rated for water at three temperatures (see
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to
Appendix X1). Included are requirements and test methods for
Plastics
material,workmanship,dimensions,burstpressure,hydrostatic
3
D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
sustained pressure, excessive temperature pressure, excessive
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Ther-
temperature-pressure, environmental stress cracking, stabilizer
moplastic Pipe and Fittings
functionality,bent-tubehydrostaticpressure,oxidativestability
D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and
in potable chlorinated water, and degree of crosslinking.
Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
Requirements for tubing markings are also given.
D2837 TestMethodforObtainingHydrostaticDesignBasis
1.2 Thetextofthisspecificationreferencesnotes,footnotes,
forThermoplastic Pipe Materials or Pressure Design Basis
and appendixes which provide explanatory material. These
for Thermoplastic Pipe Products
notesandfootnotes(excludingthoseintablesandfigures)shall
D3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Poly-
not be considered as requirements of the specification.
olefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
F1281 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene/
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX)
and are not considered standard.
Pressure Pipe
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the
F2023 TestMethodforEvaluatingtheOxidativeResistance
test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: This
of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems to
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
Hot Chlorinated Water
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
F2657 Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health
Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita-
2.2 ANSI Standard:
tions prior to use.
4
B36.10 Standards Dimensions of Steel Pipe (IPS)
2. Referenced Documents
2.3 Federal Standard:
5
2
FED-STD-123 Marking for Shipment (Civil Agencies)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2.4 Military Standard:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
5
MIL-STD-129 Marking for Shipment and Storage
D792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Rela-
2.5 NSF Standard:
tive Density) of Plastics by Displacement
NSF/ANSI 14 for Plastic Piping Components and Related
6
Materials
4
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F17 on Plastic 2.6 ISO Standards:
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.26 on Olefin
Based Pipe.
3
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2009. Published September 2009. Originally Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 2008 as F876 – 08b. DOI: on www.astm.org.
4
10.1520/F0876-09. 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 volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 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 19
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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.
An American National Standard
Designation:F 876–08b Designation: F 876 – 09
Standard Specification for
1
Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 876; 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*
1.1 This specification covers crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing that incorporates an optional polymeric inner, middle or
outerlayerandthatisoutsidediametercontrolled,madeinnominalSDR9tubingdimensionratiosexceptwerenoted,andpressure
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:
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D 792 Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement
D 1505 Test Method for Density of Plastics by the Density-Gradient Technique
D 1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal Pressure
D 1599 Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
3
D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics
D 2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
D 2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics
D 2837 Test Method for Obtaining Hydrostatic Design Basis for Thermoplastic Pipe Materials or Pressure Design Basis for
Thermoplastic Pipe Products
D 3895 Test Method for Oxidative-Induction Time of Polyolefins by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
F 412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
F 1281 Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene/Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) Pressure Pipe
F 2023 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems to Hot
Chlorinated Water Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and
Systems to Hot Chlorinated Water
F 2657 Test Method for Outdoor Weathering Exposure of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing
2.2 ANSI Standard:
4
B36.10 Standards Dimensions of Steel Pipe (IPS)
2.3 Federal Standard:
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.
Current edition approved Dec.Aug. 1, 2008.2009. Published JanuarySeptember 2009. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved 2008 as F 876 – 08ab.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
4
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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