ASTM F1290-98a
(Practice)Standard Practice for Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
Standard Practice for Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
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 problems, 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: F 1290 – 98a
Standard Practice for
Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1290; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene
Pipe and Tubing
1.1 This practice describes general procedures for making
joints with polyolefin pipe and fittings by means of electrofu-
3. Terminology
sion joining techniques. These should be regarded as general
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
procedures and not as a substitute for the installation proce-
nology F 412, and abbreviations are in accordance with Ter-
dures specified by the manufacturers. Manufacturers should be
minology D 1600, unless otherwise specified.
requested to supply specific recommendations for joining their
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
products.
3.2.1 control box—the apparatus placed between the power
NOTE 1—Reference to the manufacturer in this practice is defined as the
source and the electrofusion fitting to regulate energy input to
electrofusion fitting manufacturer.
the fitting.
1.2 The techniques covered are applicable only to joining
4. Significance and Use
polyolefin pipe and fittings of related polymer chemistry, for
example, polyethylenes to polyethylenes using a polyethylene 4.1 Using the procedures in Sections 8 and 9, the manufac-
electrofusion fitting. Consult the manufacturer’s recommenda-
turer’s instructions and equipment, pressure-tight joints can be
tions for compatibility of the electrofusion fitting with the made between manufacturer-recommended combinations of
specific pipe or fitting material to be joined.
pipe that are as strong as the pipe itself.
1.3 The electrofusion joining technique described can pro-
5. Operator Experience
duce sound joints between polyolefin pipe and fittings, pro-
vided that all products involved (that is, pipe and fittings) meet 5.1 Skill and knowledge on the part of the operator are
the appropriate ASTM specifications. required to obtain a good quality joint. Each operator shall be
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the qualified in accordance with recommended procedures and any
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the regulatory agency or industry organization that has jurisdiction
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- over these practices.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- 5.2 These procedures require the use of electrical and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. mechanical equipment. The person responsible for the joining
of polyolefin pipe and fittings should ensure that recommended
2. Referenced Documents
procedures developed for the electrofusion fittings involved,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
including the safety precaution to be followed, are issued
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to before joining operations commence. It is especially important
Plastics
that the operator be aware of specific instructions regarding the
F 412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems use of electrical equipment in the presence of a potentially
F 1055 Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyethylene
explosive environment.
6. Electrofusion Joining Processes
6.1 Electrofusion is a heat-fusion joining process where a
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.20 on Joining.
heat source is an integral part of the fitting. When electric
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1998. Published March 1999. Originally
current is applied, heat is produced, melting and joining the
published as F 1290 – 90. Last previous edition F 1290 – 98.
2 components. Fusion occurs when the joint cools below the melt
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04. temperature of the material. The specified fusion cycle used
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
F 1290
requires consideration of the properties of the materials being porate either timers or sensing circuits which monitor tempera-
joined, the design of the fitting being used, and the environ- tures, current, or pressures in the fittings during the fusion
mental conditions. See Specification F 1055 for performance process. Not all control boxes are compatible with all electro-
requirements of polyethylene electrofusion fittings. fusion fittings. Consult the manufacturer to determine the
6.2 Adequate joint strength for field testing is attained when compatibility of control boxes not made by the same manu-
the fitting is not disturbed or moved until the joint material facturer as the fitting.
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 sev-
ponents being joined during the fusion and cooling cycles.
eral days after cooling below its melt temperature. Although this phenom-
8.1.5 Surface Preparation Equipment—The purpose of sur-
enon has an effect on the ultimate physical properties of the material, its
effect on testing of joints has not been found to be significant. If there is face preparation is to remove surface contamination and
any question concerning the effects of crystallization, tests should be
oxidation from pipe or fitting spigot (Note 3).
conducted on joints that have been conditioned for different periods of
NOTE 3—Surface preparation is very important to assure total fusion.
time in order to establish the conditioning-time relationship.
8.1.5.1 Tools—A surface cleaning tool is required for cer-
7. Classification
tain fitting designs to remove the outer layer or skin of material
7.1 Technique 1: Coupling Type—The electrofusion cou-
on the pipe or fitting spigot surface prior to fusion. Tools used
pling technique involves heat fusion of pipes with a tubular
for 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.
ou
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