ISO 13954:2025

Plastics pipes and fittings - Peel decohesion test for polyethylene (PE) electrofusion assemblies of nominal outside diameter greater than or equal to 90 mm

This document specifies a test method to assess ductility of the fusion joint interface of polyethylene electrofusion socket assemblies for use in pipe systems for the distribution of fluids. This method is applicable to assemblies, with nominal outside diameters greater than or equal to 90 mm.

Tubes et raccords en matières plastiques — Essai de décohésion par pelage des assemblages électrosoudables en polyéthylène (PE) de diamètres extérieurs nominaux supérieurs ou égaux à 90 mm

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 18-Nov-2025
• 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: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 19-Nov-2025
• Due Date: 03-Feb-2026
• Completion Date: 19-Nov-2025

Relations

• Revises: ISO 13954:1997/Amd 1:2020 - Plastics pipes and fittings - Peel decohesion test for polyethylene (PE) electrofusion assemblies of nominal outside diameter greater than or equal to 90 mm - Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022
• Revises: ISO 13954:1997 - Plastics pipes and fittings - Peel decohesion test for polyethylene (PE) electrofusion assemblies of nominal outside diameter greater than or equal to 90 mm
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022

Overview

ISO 13954:2025 specifies a peel decohesion test method to assess the ductility of the fusion joint interface of polyethylene (PE) electrofusion socket assemblies used in pipe systems for the distribution of fluids. The method applies to electrofusion assemblies with nominal outside diameter ≥ 90 mm and characterizes joint performance by observing failure mode (brittle vs ductile) and calculating a percentage decohesion of the fused zone.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope: Test method for PE electrofusion assemblies (OD ≥ 90 mm) to evaluate fusion joint ductility.
• Test temperature: Conducted at 23 °C ± 2 °C.
• Specimen preparation:
  • Each assembly: pipes must protrude from the socket (typically ≥ 125 mm before cutting).
  • Cut four strip test pieces per socket unless product standard says otherwise.
  • Test piece width: 25 mm or equal to the nominal pipe wall thickness (tolerances specified in the standard).
  • Free length L of the test piece: ≥ 75 mm.
  • A hole is drilled in the fitting for the shackle (diameter = E/5, minimum 3 mm).
• Conditioning:
  • Test at least 24 h after fusion; intermediate conditioning periods before/after cutting are required (see standard for exact tolerances).
• Apparatus:
  • Tensile-testing machine with force measurement capability (conforming guidance referenced to ISO 7500‑1).
  • Shackle-type link (length specified as 80 mm) and clamping jaws.
• Test procedure:
  • Pull along specimen axis at 20–50 mm/min (dispute speed: 25 mm/min ±10%).
  • Continue until complete separation; record maximum breaking load and failure location.
  • Measure maximum brittle-failure length l in the fusion plane and overall fusion length L2.
  • Calculate percentage decohesion Ld = (l / L2) × 100%.
• Interpretation: Compare percentage decohesion to product-specific requirements; if none exist, use Annex A guidance in ISO 13954:2025.

Applications and Who Uses It

• Manufacturers of PE electrofusion fittings and pipes - quality control and product development.
• Independent testing laboratories - certification, acceptance testing, and failure analysis.
• Utilities and pipeline contractors - validation of fusion processes for potable water, gas and fluid distribution systems.
• Standards writers and regulators - establishing performance criteria for electrofusion joints.
• Useful for assessing joint ductility, identifying air pockets/non-fused areas, and verifying fusion procedures.

Related Standards

• ISO 11413 - guidance for preparation of electrofusion socket joints.
• ISO 7500‑1 - force measurement accuracy for tensile machines.
• ISO 21751 - strip-bend test (alternative).
• EN 12814‑4:2018 - alternative decohesion test methods.

Keywords: ISO 13954:2025, peel decohesion test, polyethylene electrofusion assemblies, PE electrofusion socket, percentage decohesion, fusion joint ductility, tensile-testing machine, brittle failure, ductile failure.

Standards Content (Sample)

International
Standard
ISO 13954
Second edition
Plastics pipes and fittings — Peel
2025-11
decohesion test for polyethylene
(PE) electrofusion assemblies of
nominal outside diameter greater
than or equal to 90 mm
Tubes et raccords en matières plastiques — Essai de décohésion
par pelage des assemblages électrosoudables en polyéthylène (PE)
de diamètres extérieurs nominaux supérieurs ou égaux à 90 mm
Reference number
© ISO 2025
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols . 2
5 Principle . 2
6 Apparatus . 2
6.1 Tensile-testing machine .2
6.2 Shackle-type link .4
7 Test pieces . 4
7.1 Preparation of assembly .4
7.2 Preparation of test pieces .4
7.3 Number of test assemblies .5
8 Conditioning . 5
9 Procedure . 6
10 Interpretation of results . 8
11 Test report . 9
Annex A (informative) Recommended criterion for evaluation .10
Bibliography .11

iii
Foreword
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Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document 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.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 13954:1997), which has been technically
revised. It also incorporates the Amendment ISO 13954:1997/Amd. 1:2020.
The main changes are as follows:
— symbols have been aligned with relevant ISO documents, e.g. References [1], [2], [3] and [4];
— allowance for thickness reduction has been introduced for larger diameter fittings;
— guidance on assessment of air pockets in the fusion zone has been given in Clause 9 g) and Table 1;
— photos for fracture surface assessment have been introduced;
— the terms and definitions clause (Clause 3) has been added, and subsequent clauses have been renumbered.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

iv
International Standard ISO 13954:2025(en)
Plastics pipes and fittings — Peel decohesion test for
polyethylene (PE) electrofusion assemblies of nominal
outside diameter greater than or equal to 90 mm
1 Scope
This document specifies a test method to assess ductility of the fusion joint interface of polyethylene
electrofusion socket assemblies for use in pipe systems for the distribution of fluids. This method is
applicable to assemblies, with nominal outside diameters greater than or equal to 90 mm.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions 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/
3.1
failure
any break of the test piece which is visible to the naked eye
3.2
brittle failure
failure (3.1), showing no plastic deformation in the fusion plane after separation
Note 1 to entry: Brittle failure is characterized by smooth failure surface(s) without any fibrils.
Note 2 to entry: Brittle failure occurs instantaneously at relatively low stresses and strains (low failure energy).
3.3
ductile failure
failure (3.1), showing plastic deformation prior to separation
Note 1 to entry: Ductile failures are characterized by the presence of gross yielding.
Note 2 to entry: Micro-ductile failure often occurs with stress-whitening which may require further investigation
using an optical microscope.
4 Symbols
b gap, sized to accommodate tensioning chain/rope
b width of the test sample
b adjustable width to fit with the size of the test piece
l maximum brittle-failure length observed
L free length of the test piece as the pipe segment between the clamps and which p
...