EN 13100-3:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies methods for the manual ultrasonic examination of heated tool, electrofusion, extrusion and hot gas joints in plastics materials. It applies to joints in single wall pipes and plates. The range of thicknesses covered is from 10 mm to 100 mm.; This document does not specify acceptance levels of the indications.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 25-Aug-2026
• ICS: 25.160.40 - Welded joints and welds
• ICS: 83.140.01 - Rubber and plastics products in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 249/WG 16 - Welding of thermoplastics
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 26-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 09-Nov-2026
• Completion Date: 26-Aug-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 13100-3:2026 - Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing

• Replaces: EN 13100-3:2004 - Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semi-finished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing
• Effective Date: 07-Aug-2024

EN 13100-3:2026 is a CEN European Standard for manual ultrasonic examination of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products. It specifies how to inspect heated tool, electrofusion, extrusion and hot gas joints in single wall pipes and plates, so weld inspectors, quality teams and buyers can apply one agreed ultrasonic method.

What does EN 13100-3:2026 specify?

EN 13100-3:2026 covers manual ultrasonic testing for welded joints in plastics materials, within a thickness range from 10 mm to 100 mm. It does not set acceptance levels for indications, so the acceptance decision must come from the contract, product specification or inspection plan.

The document is organized into clauses on scope, normative references, terms and definitions, symbols and abbreviated terms, general principles, information required before examination, personnel and equipment, examination volume, scanning surface preparation, range and sensitivity setting, examination technique and examination report.

What are the key requirements of EN 13100-3:2026?

EN 13100-3:2026 is mainly about how to plan the examination, choose and set up the ultrasonic equipment, cover the weld area, and record the results. The practical message is that the test has to be controlled from procedure to report, not just performed at the weld.

Planning, procedure and personnel

Before examination starts, the procedure has to define the reference level method, indication evaluation method, acceptance levels, examination level, stage of manufacture or operation, personnel qualification, and whether a written procedure is needed. The operator also needs the parent material type, joint dimensions, welding process information and reporting requirements.

Personnel shall be qualified to EN ISO 9712 or a more relevant standard, and they need to understand issues specific to thermoplastic materials and welded joint types. In practice, that means the examiner must know both ultrasonic testing and the behavior of the joint being inspected.

Equipment, probes and scanning conditions

Equipment has to comply with EN ISO 22232-1, EN ISO 22232-2 and EN ISO 22232-3. EN 13100-3:2026 uses only longitudinal compression-wave transducers, with probe frequency chosen to maximize flaw sensitivity without losing signal-to-noise performance.

For electrofusion joints, focusing probes are used and focused at the depth of the welded interfaces. Probe angles should place the weld fusion face as close as possible to normal incidence, and the document points to 0° for electrofusion joints.

Wedges should be made of PTFE or water wedges may be used. The gap between probe and test surface should stay small, and curved surfaces may require adapted wedges and a reset of sensitivity and range.

Examination volume, setting and evaluation

The examination volume has to include the weld and parent material for at least 5 mm on each side of the weld, or the melt zone width if that is greater. The whole volume must be scanned, and supplementary techniques are used if one method cannot cover it all.

Range and sensitivity have to be reset when the probe type, angle, weld type, material type or thickness changes, and also when joint temperature changes by more than 10 °C. Checks are also required during the job and at completion, and significant deviations mean the settings are corrected and earlier examinations may need to be repeated.

Reference level setting depends on the technique: normal incidence and angled longitudinal use a distance amplitude correction (DAC) curve, tandem uses a reference block with a drilled reflector, TOFD uses a reference block set-up for diffraction, and creeping wave uses a surface notch. Evaluation levels are agreed between the contracting parties.

The standard uses normal incidence for electrofusion and lap joints, angled longitudinal for hot gas and extrusion joints, tandem and time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) for heated tool butt welds, and creeping wave for near-surface inspection. Indications are located in a coordinate system, then assessed by maximum echo amplitude, indication length, and sometimes indication height or discontinuity character if agreed or required.

What terms does EN 13100-3:2026 define?

• Reference level - the signal level set with the chosen reference block or reflector and used as the baseline for evaluation.
• Evaluation level - the agreed threshold above which an indication must be assessed.
• Transfer correction - the adjustment made when the reference block and the test object are not the same material.
• Signal-to-noise ratio - the margin between useful indication signals and background noise.
• Time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) - an ultrasonic method using transmitter and receiver probes facing each other across the weld.
• Distance amplitude correction (DAC) - the curve used to set the reference level for some ultrasonic techniques.

Who uses EN 13100-3:2026?

EN 13100-3:2026 is used by NDT personnel, weld inspectors, quality managers, manufacturers of thermoplastic pipes and plates, and inspection authorities. They use it to plan manual ultrasonic inspections, set up equipment, assess weld indications and produce records that can be checked later.

It is also relevant to contracting parties that need to agree the examination level, evaluation level and acceptance criteria for welded joints in thermoplastics.

What changed in EN 13100-3:2026 from the previous edition?

EN 13100-3:2026 supersedes EN 13100-3:2004. The European foreword states three technical changes: the referenced standards have been updated, the figure showing the examination volume for electrofusion joints has been revised, and range and sensitivity setting is specified when the temperature of the joints being examined changes by more than 10 °C.

Which standards are used with EN 13100-3:2026?

Standard	What it contributes
EN 1330-2	Common NDT terminology
EN ISO 5577	Ultrasonic vocabulary
EN ISO 9712	Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
EN ISO 16811	Sensitivity and range setting
EN ISO 16826	Testing for discontinuities perpendicular to the surface
EN ISO 16828	TOFD technique for detection and sizing of discontinuities
EN ISO 22232-1	Instruments
EN ISO 22232-2	Probes
EN ISO 22232-3	Combined equipment
EN 13100-1 / -2 / -4	Related parts of the EN 13100 series for visual examination, X-ray radiographic testing and high voltage testing

For phased array ultrasonic testing of polyethylene joints, the document also points to ISO/TS 16943 and ISO/TS 22499.

What does the EN 13100-3:2026 document contain?

EN 13100-3:2026 contains figures for the examination volume, reference blocks and the operating principles of the main ultrasonic techniques. It also includes a table for sensitivity and range corrections, plus the steps for setting reference level, evaluating indications and locating them on a coordinate system.

The reporting clause gives a detailed checklist for the object, equipment, technique and results. That makes the document useful for procedure writing, operator training, audits and traceable inspection records.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2026
Neporušitveno preskušanje zvarjenih spojev plastomernih polizdelkov - 3. del:
Ultrazvočno preskušanje
Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products - Part 3:
Ultrasonic testing
Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Schweißverbindungen thermoplastischer Kunststoffe - Teil
3: Ultraschallprüfung
Contrôle non destructif des assemblages soudés sur produits semi-finis en
thermoplastiques - Partie 3 : Contrôle par ultrasons
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13100-3:2026
ICS:
25.160.40 Varjeni spoji in vari Welded joints and welds
83.140.01 Izdelki iz gume in polimernih Rubber and plastics products
materialov na splošno in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 13100-3
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 25.160.40; 83.140.01 Supersedes EN 13100-3:2004
English Version
Non-destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics
semifinished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing
Contrôle non destructif des assemblages soudés sur Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Schweißverbindungen
produits semi-finis en thermoplastiques - Partie 3 : an Halbzeugen aus thermoplastischen Kunststoffen -
Contrôle par ultrasons Teil 3: Ultraschallprüfung
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 July 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13100-3:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 5
5 General. 6
6 Information required prior to examination . 6
6.1 Examination procedure . 6
6.2 Information required by the operator . 6
6.3 Written examination procedure . 6
7 Requirements for personnel and equipment . 7
7.1 Personnel qualifications . 7
7.2 Equipment . 7
7.3 Probe parameters . 7
7.3.1 Frequency . 7
7.3.2 Angles of incidence . 7
7.3.3 Focusing. 7
7.3.4 Wedge material . 7
7.3.5 Adoption of probes to curved scanning surfaces . 7
8 Examination volume . 8
9 Preparation of scanning surfaces . 8
10 Range and sensitivity setting . 9
10.1 General. 9
10.2 Reference level . 10
10.3 Evaluation levels . 11
10.4 Transfer correction . 11
10.5 Signal-to-noise ratio. 12
11 Examination technique . 12
11.1 Standard ultrasonic techniques. 12
11.1.1 General. 12
11.1.2 Normal incidence longitudinal (compression) wave examination . 12
11.1.3 Angled longitudinal (compression) wave examination . 13
11.1.4 Tandem examination. 13
11.1.5 Time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) examination . 14
11.1.6 Creeping wave examination . 14
11.2 Location of indications . 15
11.3 Evaluation of indications . 15
11.3.1 General. 15
11.3.2 Maximum echo amplitude . 15
11.3.3 Indication length . 15
11.3.4 Indication height . 15
11.3.5 Characterization of discontinuities . 15
12 Examination report . 15
12.1 General . 15
12.2 Equipment . 16
12.3 Technique . 16
12.4 Results . 16
Bibliography . 18

European foreword
This document (EN 13100-3:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2027, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by February 2027.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 13100-3:2004.
— the referenced standards have been updated, the figure showing the examination volume for
electrofusion joints has been revised and it has been specified that the setting of range and sensitivity
shall be carried out if the temperature of the joints being examined changes by more than 10 °C.
The EN 13100 series, under the general title Non-destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics
semi-finished products, consists of the following parts:
— Part 1: Visual examination;
— Part 2: X-ray radiographic testing;
— Part 3: Ultrasonic testing;
— Part 4: High voltage testing.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies methods for the manual ultrasonic examination of heated tool, electrofusion,
extrusion and hot gas joints in plastics materials. It applies to joints in single wall pipes and plates. The
range of thicknesses covered is from 10 mm to 100 mm.
This document does not specify acceptance levels of the indications.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1330-2, Non destructive testing — Terminology — Part 2: Terms common to the non-destructive testing
methods
EN ISO 5577, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Vocabulary (ISO 5577)
EN ISO 9712, Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (ISO 9712)
EN ISO 16811, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Sensitivity and range setting (ISO 16811)
EN ISO 16826, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Testing for discontinuities perpendicular to
the surface (ISO 16826)
EN ISO 16828, Non-destructive testing — Ultrasonic testing — Time-of-flight diffraction technique for
detection and sizing of discontinuities (ISO 16828)
EN ISO 22232-1, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test
equipment — Part 1: Instruments (ISO 22232-1)
EN ISO 22232-2, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test
equipment — Part 2: Probes (ISO 22232-2)
EN ISO 22232-3, Non-destructive testing — Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test
equipment — Part 3: Combined equipment (ISO 22232-3)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1330-2 and EN ISO 5577 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols and abbreviated terms apply:
t thickness of reference block (mm)
D diameter of the component (mm)
a dimension of the wedge in the direction of examination (mm)
5 General
The purpose of this document is to describe general methods of ultrasonic examination for the most
commonly used welded joints in thermoplastics. The specific requirements specified by this document
cover the equipment, preparation, performance of the examination and reporting. Methods to be used for
ultrasonic assessment of indications and acceptance criteria shall be specified.
6 Information required prior to examination
6.1 Examination procedure
The following items shall be specified:
— method for setting the reference level;
— method to be used for evaluation of indications;
— acceptance levels;
— examination level;
— manufacturing and operation stage(s) at which the examination is to be carried out;
— qualification of personnel;
— whether or not a written examination procedure is required;
— requirements for written examination procedures.
6.2 Infor
...