1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers a coextruded crosslinked polyethylene composite pressure pipe with a welded aluminum tube reinforcement between the inner and outer layers. The inner and outer crosslinked polyethylene layers are bonded to the aluminum tube by a melt adhesive. Included is a system of nomenclature for the crosslinked polyethylene-aluminum-crosslinked polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) pipes, the requirements and test methods for materials, the dimensions of the component layers and finished pipe, adhesion tests, and the burst and sustained pressure performance. Also given are the requirements and methods of marking. The pipe covered by this specification is intended for use in potable water distribution systems for residential and commercial applications, water service, underground irrigation systems, and radient panel heating systems, baseboard, snow- and ice-melt systems, and gases that are compatible with the composite pipe and fittings.

1.2 This specification covers only composite pipes incorporating a welded aluminum tube. Pipes consisting of metallic layers not welded together are outside the scope of this specification.

1.3 Specifications for connectors for use with pipe meeting the requirements of this specification are given in Annex A1.

1.4 This specification excludes polyethylene-aluminum-polyethylene pipes (see Specification F 1282).

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 9, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, 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.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal Pressure

D1599 Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings

D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics

D1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics

D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings

D2765 Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics

D3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fittings Materials

E8 Test Methods for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials

F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems

F1282 Specification for Polyethylene/Aluminum/Polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) Composite Pressure Pipe

F1974 Specification for Metal Insert Fittings for Polyethylene/Aluminum/Polyethylene and Crosslinked Polyethylene/Aluminum/Crosslinked Polyethylene Composite Pressure Pipe

Federal Standard

Military Standard

Uniform Classification Committee Standard

National Motor Freight Traffic Association Standard

National Sanitation Foundation Standard

Keywords

composite; crosslinked PE; PEX-AL-PEX; pipe; pressure: Aluminum pipe--specifications; Coextruded polyethylene (PE) pipe/tube--specifications; Connectors; Crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipe/tube--specifications; General delivery requirements--plastics; Hydrostatic pressure test; PEX/AL/PEX pipe/tube; Polyethylene (PE) pipe--specifications; Thermocycling (of PE pipe);

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 23.040.20 (Plastic pipes)

DOI: 10.1520/F1281-03E01

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