ISO 19899:2010

Plastics piping systems - Polyolefin pipes and mechanical fitting assemblies - Test method for the resistance to end load (AREL test)

ISO 19899:2010 specifies a method to determine, for mechanically jointed polyolefin pipe and fitting assemblies in sizes of nominal outside diameter of less than or equal to 63 mm, the effect of component relaxation and creep on the resistance of the assembly to pipe pull out under the long-term application of a constant and longitudinally applied force.

Systèmes de canalisations en matières plastiques — Assemblages de tubes en polyoléfines et raccords mécaniques — Méthode d'essai de résistance en fin de charge (essai AREL)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-Aug-2010
• ICS: 23.040.20 - Plastics pipes
• ICS: 23.040.60 - Flanges, couplings and joints
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 138/SC 5 - General properties of pipes, fittings and valves of plastic materials and their accessories -- Test methods and basic specifications
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 138/SC 5 - General properties of pipes, fittings and valves of plastic materials and their accessories -- Test methods and basic specifications
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 16-Mar-2021
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Overview

ISO 19899:2010 specifies the Accelerated Relaxation and End Load (AREL) test method for mechanically jointed polyolefin pipe and mechanical fitting assemblies. The standard is intended primarily for assemblies with nominal outside diameter d ≤ 63 mm and assesses the effect of component relaxation and creep on the assembly’s resistance to pipe pull‑out under a long‑term, constant longitudinal force. The method also examines the susceptibility of pipes to stress crack failure initiated by the joint.

Key Topics

• Scope and principle: Assemblies are conditioned in water or air (normally 80 °C) and subjected to a constant longitudinal tensile force for a defined period to simulate the combined effects of internal pressure, thermal contraction and secondary bending.
• Test conditions: Typical test temperature is 80 °C (can be reduced for assemblies with non‑polyolefin components with test duration adjustments). The applied end load is maintained for a minimum of 500 hours.
• Apparatus requirements: Tensile loading equipment accurate to ±1% of indicated force; forced circulation and tight temperature control (±1 °C recommended) for reproducible results.
• Test piece geometry: Test assemblies use Type A end caps (ISO 1167‑1) with a free pipe length between fitting and cap of at least 100 mm or twice the pipe diameter (max 250 mm).
• Loading procedures and tolerances: Apply load gradually within (5 ± 1) minutes; force tolerances are ±2% for d ≤ 250 mm and ±5% for d > 250 mm.
• Leak testing: After conditioning to 23 ± 2 °C, assemblies are leak‑tested per ISO 3458 at 25 mbar and at 1.5 × nominal pressure; gas or water media selection follows safety and application rules.
• Annex A: Provides end‑load force tables for PE 80 and PE 100 pipes and a formula for calculating forces for other SDRs; the constant K varies with pipe diameter.

Applications

Who uses ISO 19899:2010 and why:

• Manufacturers of polyolefin pipes and mechanical fittings - for type testing, design validation and product development.
• Independent test laboratories and certification bodies - to verify long‑term joint performance against creep and relaxation‑related pull‑out.
• Utilities and system designers (gas and water) - to assess joint reliability and reduce risk of stress cracks or leakage.
• Quality assurance and R&D teams - to correlate product changes with long‑term mechanical behavior.

Practical uses include qualification of full end‑load‑bearing fittings for gas/water distribution, assessing joint durability in warm service conditions, and establishing performance baselines for regulatory compliance.

Related Standards

• ISO 1167‑1 / ISO 1167‑4 - preparation and methods for pressure resistance testing of thermoplastic pipes and assemblies.
• ISO 3458 - leakproofness testing of assembled joints.
• ISO 3 / ISO 497 referenced for preferred number series used in MRS sizing.

Keywords: ISO 19899:2010, AREL test, polyolefin pipes, mechanical fittings, end load test, PE 80, PE 100, creep, relaxation, leak test, SDR, tensile loading.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 19899
First edition
2010-09-15
Plastics piping systems — Polyolefin
pipes and mechanical fitting
assemblies — Test method for the
resistance to end load (AREL test)
Systèmes de canalisations en matières plastiques — Assemblages de
tubes en polyoléfines et raccords mécaniques — Méthode d'essai de
résistance en fin de charge (essai AREL)

Reference number
©
ISO 2010
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ii © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Principle .2
5 Apparatus.2
5.1 Tensile loading equipment .2
5.2 External environment.2
5.3 Leak test apparatus.3
6 Test piece .3
7 Procedure.4
8 Test report.4
Annex A (normative) End load forces for PE 80 pipes and PE 100 pipes.5
Bibliography.7
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
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International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 19899 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 138, Plastics pipes, fittings and valves for the
transport of fluids, Subcommittee SC 5, General properties of pipes, fittings and valves of plastic materials and
their accessories — Test methods and basic specifications.
iv © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

Introduction
The Accelerated Relaxation and End Load test (AREL) was introduced initially in the gas industry product
standard for full end-load-bearing mechanical fittings designed for connection to PE gas pipes. Its introduction
as a stand-alone test method covering polyolefin pipes provides the opportunity for the method to be used in
other application areas.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 19899:2010(E)

Plastics piping systems — Polyolefin pipes and mechanical
fitting assemblies — Test method for the resistance to end load
(AREL test)
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a method to determine, for mechanically jointed polyolefin pipe and fitting
assemblies in sizes of d u 63 mm, the effect of component relaxation and creep on the resistance of the
n
assembly to pipe pull out under the long-term application of a constant and longitudinally applied force.
The susceptibility of the polyolefin pipe to stress crack failure initiated by the joint assembly is also examined.
NOTE For sizes d > 63 mm, the method is under development.
n
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application 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.
ISO 1167-1, Thermoplastics pipes, fittings and assemblies for the conveyance of fluids ― Determination of
the resistance to internal pressure ― Part 1: General method
ISO 1167-4, Thermoplastics pipes, fittings and assemblies for the conveyance of fluids ― Determination of
the resistance to internal pressure ― Part 4: Preparation of assemblies
ISO 3458, Assembled joints between fittings and polyethylene (PE) pressure pipes ― Test of leakproofness
under internal pressure
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
lower confidence limit of the predicted hydrostatic strength
σ
LPL
quantity, with the dimensions of stress, which represents the 97,5 % lower confidence limit of the predicted
hydrostatic strength at a temperature θ and time t
NOTE 1 The quantity is expressed in megapascals.
NOTE 2 Temperature, θ, is expressed in degrees Celsius and time, t, is expressed in years.
3.2
minimum required strength
MRS
value of σ at 20 °C and 50 years, rounded down to the next smaller value of the R10 series or the R20
LPL
series
[1] [2]
NOTE The R10 series conforms to ISO 3 , the R20 series conforms to ISO 497 .
3.3
standard dimension ratio
SDR
ratio of the nominal outside diameter, d , of a pipe to its nominal wall thickness, e
n n
4 Principle
A test piece assembly of a polyolefin pipe(s) and a mechanical fitting, suspended in a bath of water or in air at
80 °C is subjected to a constant tensile force, F, applied along the longitudinal axis of the pipe for a defined
period of time. The force, F, is then removed and the assembly conditioned to 23 °C before testing for
leakage.
NOTE 1 The magnitude of the applied force is intended to simulate the combined effect of internal pressure, thermal
contraction and secondary bending effects arising from loss of soil support around the pipe close to the fitting. For sizes
d W 355 mm, experience has suggested loss of localized soil support is less likely to result in significant longitudinal
n
bending stresses and consequently th
...