kSIST FprEN 13100-3:2026

Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing

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.

Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Schweißverbindungen thermoplastischer Kunststoffe - Teil 3: Ultraschallprüfung

Dieses Dokument legt Verfahren für die manuelle Ultraschallprüfung von Heizelement-, Heizwendel-, Extrusions- und Warmgasverbindungen an Kunststoffen fest. Es gilt für Verbindungen an einwandigen Rohren und Platten im Dickenbereich von 10 mm bis 100 mm.
Dieses Dokument legt keine Zulässigkeitsgrenzen für die Angaben fest.

Contrôle non destructif des assemblages soudés sur produits semi-finis en thermoplastiques - Partie 3 : Contrôle par ultrasons

Le présent document spécifie les méthodes pour le contrôle manuel par ultrasons des assemblages sur matériaux plastiques soudés par élément chauffant, par électrofusion, par extrusion et au gaz chaud. Il s'applique aux assemblages de tubes à simple paroi et de plaques. La gamme d'épaisseurs couvertes'étend de 10 mm à 100 mm.
Le présent document ne spécifie pas de niveaux d'acceptation relatifs aux indications.

Neporušitveno preskušanje zvarjenih spojev plastomernih polizdelkov - 3. del: Ultrazvočno preskušanje

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 30-Jul-2025
• ICS: 25.160.40 - Welded joints and welds
• ICS: 83.140.01 - Rubber and plastics products in general
• Technical Committee: IPMA - Polimer materials and products
• Current Stage: 5020 - Formal vote (FV) (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 11-May-2026
• Due Date: 29-Jun-2026
• Completion Date: 11-May-2026
• Ref Project: FprEN 13100-3 - Non-destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing

Relations

• Revises: SIST EN 13100-3:2005 - Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semi-finished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing
• Effective Date: 07-Aug-2024

Overview

kSIST FprEN 13100-3:2026 specifies methods for the manual ultrasonic testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products. Published by SIST and developed within the CEN/TC 249 Technical Committee, this standard applies to welded joints-produced by heated tool, electrofusion, extrusion, or hot gas welding-in single wall pipes and plates with thicknesses from 10 mm to 100 mm. It does not specify acceptance levels for indications, focusing instead on robust, repeatable examination procedures for the quality assurance of thermoplastic welds.

Key Topics

• Scope of Ultrasonic Testing
  The standard outlines manual ultrasonic inspection techniques for welded joints in thermoplastics, addressing preparation, execution, and reporting of tests.

• Applicable Joint Types and Materials

  • Heated tool, electrofusion, extrusion, and hot gas welded joints
  • Single wall pipes and plates in plastics materials

• Examination Procedure Requirements
  Includes methods for setting reference levels, evaluating indications, and documenting examination levels, as well as personnel qualifications and equipment compliance.

• Probe and Equipment Specifications
  Requirements for ultrasonic equipment, probe frequency (1–5 MHz), use of focusing probes, probe angles (e.g., 0° for electrofusion), and adaptation of wedges to curved scanning surfaces.

• Preparation of Scanning Surfaces
  Ensures accurate results through proper cleaning, surface flatness, and adequate scanning width.

• Range and Sensitivity Setting
  Details when to check and correct settings-such as when equipment, material, or environmental factors change-to ensure consistent test sensitivity and signal-to-noise performance.

• Ultrasonic Examination Techniques
  Covers normal incidence (longitudinal wave), angled wave, tandem, time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD), and creeping wave inspections, each suited for specific joint types or defect depths.

• Examination Reporting
  Provides a template for documentation, including information on inspected objects, equipment, procedures, operator qualifications, and test findings.

Applications

Manual ultrasonic testing as described in kSIST FprEN 13100-3:2026 is crucial for:

• Quality assurance and safety: Detecting flaws, discontinuities, or weak points in welded thermoplastic joints used in pipelines, fluid conveyance systems, chemical processing, and industrial installations.
• Maintenance and compliance: Supporting periodic inspection programs to ensure ongoing system integrity and compliance with European standards in plastic welding.
• Manufacturing process control: Facilitating real-time or post-process quality checks for manufacturers of pipes, tanks, and plates in industries utilizing plastic materials.

The standard is particularly valuable in industries where structural reliability of plastic welds is critical, including water supply, gas transportation, chemicals, and food processing.

Related Standards

Implementers of kSIST FprEN 13100-3:2026 should be familiar with related standards for optimal results and compliance:

• EN 1330-2: Non-destructive testing - Common terminology
• EN ISO 5577: Ultrasonic testing vocabulary
• EN ISO 9712: Qualification and certification of NDT personnel
• EN ISO 16811: Ultrasonic testing - Sensitivity and range setting
• EN ISO 16826: Ultrasonic testing for discontinuities perpendicular to the surface
• EN ISO 16828: Time-of-flight diffraction technique for detection and sizing of discontinuities
• EN ISO 22232-1, -2, -3: Characterization and verification of ultrasonic test equipment (instruments, probes, combined equipment)
• ISO/TS 16943 and ISO/TS 22499: Inspection of polyethylene welded joints using phased array ultrasonic testing

Summary

kSIST FprEN 13100-3:2026 is the authoritative European standard for performing non-destructive ultrasonic testing of thermoplastic welded joints. It supports improved reliability, traceability, and safety across multiple industries by standardizing inspection procedures, qualification requirements, and reporting for plastic welding quality control. Implementing this standard helps organizations maintain high product quality, comply with European regulations, and reduce operational risks in welded thermoplastics infrastructure.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
01-julij-2025
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: prEN 13100-3
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
oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13100-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
June 2025
ICS 25.160.40; 83.140.01 Will supersede 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 : thermoplastischer Kunststoffe - Teil 3:
Contrôle par ultrasons Ultraschallprüfung
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 249.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13100-3:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
prEN 13100-3:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 6
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 . 7
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 . 8
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 Ultrasonic techniques. 12
11.1.1 Normal incidence longitudinal (compression) wave examination . 12
11.1.2 Angled longitudinal (compression) wave examination . 12
11.1.3 Tandem examination. 13
11.1.4 Time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) examination . 13
11.1.5 Creeping wave examination . 14
11.2 Location of indications . 14
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
oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
prEN 13100-3:2025 (E)
12 Examination report . 15
12.1 General . 15
12.2 General data . 15
12.3 Information relating to equipment . 16
12.4 Information relating to examination technique . 16
12.5 Results of the examination . 16
Bibliography . 17

oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
prEN 13100-3:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13100-3:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 249 “Plastics”,
the secretariat of which is held by SIS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13100-3:2004.
prEN 13100-3:2025 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to
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.
A list of all parts in a series can be found on the CEN website: https://www.cencenelec.eu/
oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
prEN 13100-3:2025 (E)
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 as a method
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/
oSIST prEN 13100-3:2025
prEN 13100-3:2025 (E)
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.
The ultrasonic inspection of electrofusion socket and heated tool butt welds in PE pipes using phased
array ultrasonic testing is specified in ISO/TS 16943 [1] and ISO/TS 22499 [2], respectively.
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 pers
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