ASTM F1290-19

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1290 − 98a (Reapproved 2011) F1290 − 19 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
Electrofusion Joining Polyolefin Pipe and Fittings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1290; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Scope*
1.1 This practice describes general procedures for making joints with polyolefin pipe and fittings by means of electrofusion
joining techniques. This practice is applicable to electrofusion fittings that utilize resistance wire as the heating element. These
should be regarded as general procedures and not as a substitute for the installation procedures specified by the manufacturers.
Manufacturers should be requested to supply specific recommendations for joining their products. This practice does not purport
to address all possible electrofusion joining procedures, or to preclude the use of qualified procedures developed by other parties
that have been proven to produce reliable electrofusion joints.
NOTE 1—Reference to the manufacturer in this practice is defined as the electrofusion fitting manufacturer.
1.2 The techniques covered are applicable only to joining polyolefin pipe and fittings of related polymer chemistry, for example,
polyethylenes to polyethylenes using a polyethylene electrofusion fitting. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for
compatibility of the electrofusion fitting with the specific pipe or fitting material to be joined.
1.3 The electrofusion joining technique described can produce sound joints between polyolefin pipe and fittings, provided that
all products involved (that is, pipe and fittings) meet the appropriate ASTM specifications.
1.4 This practice is not limited by pipe or fitting size, however additional steps or procedures may be necessary when
electrofusion joining to pipe of larger diameters. Consult the fitting manufacturer for additional specific instructions for joining
their product.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
F1055 Specification for Electrofusion Type Polyethylene Fittings for Outside Diameter Controlled Polyethylene and Crosslinked
Polyethylene (PEX) Pipe and Tubing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions are in accordance with Terminology F412, and abbreviations are in accordance with Terminology
D1600, unless otherwise specified.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 control box—the apparatus placed between the power source and the electrofusion fitting to regulate energy input to the
fitting.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.20 on Joining.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2011Jan. 1, 2019. Published March 2011January 2019. Originally approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 20042011 as
F1290 – 98a(2004).(2011). DOI: 10.1520/F1290-98AR11.10.1520/F1290-19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1290 − 19
3.2.2 peeler—a pipe surface preparation tool that uses a sharpened floating cutting blade to remove a controlled amount of outer
pipe or fitting spigot material during the pipe preparation process for electrofusion joining.
3.2.3 scraper—a pipe surface preparation tool that uses a smooth or serrated blade that is dragged over the pipe surface to
remove outer pipe or fitting spigot material during the pipe preparation process for electrofusion joining.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Using the procedures in Sections 8 and 9, the manufacturer’s instructions and equipment, pressure-tight joints can be made
between manufacturer-recommended combinations of pipe that are as strong as the pipe itself.
5. Operator Experience
5.1 Skill and knowledge on the part of the operator are required to obtain a good quality joint. Each operator shall be qualified
in accordance with recommended procedures and any regulatory agency or industry organization that has jurisdiction over these
practices.
5.2 These procedures require the use of electrical and mechanical equipment. The person responsible for the joining of
polyolefin pipe and fittings should ensure that recommended procedures developed for the electrofusion fittings involved, including
the safety precaution to be followed, are issued before joining operations commence. It is especially important that the operator
be aware of specific instructions regarding the use of electrical equipment in the presence of a potentially explosive environment.
6. Electrofusion Joining Processes
6.1 Electrofusion is a heat-fusion joining process where a heat source is an integral part of the fitting. When electric current is
applied, heat is produced, melting and joining the components. Fusion occurs when the joint cools below the melt temperature of
the material. The specified fusion cycle used requires consideration of the properties of the materials being joined, the design of
the fitting being used, and the environmental conditions. See Specification F1055 for performance requirements of polyethylene
electrofusion fittings.
6.2 Adequate joint strength for field testing is attained when the fitting is not disturbed or moved until the joint material cools
(Note 2). Bond strength can be affected if the joint is not allowed to cool sufficently.
NOTE 2—Polybutylene undergoes a crystalline transformation for several days after cooling below its melt temperature. Although this phenomenon has
an effect on the ultimate physical properties of the material, its effect on testing of joints has not been found to be significant. If there is any question
concerning the effects of crystallization, tests should be conducted on joints that have been conditioned for different periods of time in order to establish
the conditioning-time relationship.
7. Classification
7.1 Technique 1: CouplingSocket Type—The electrofusion couplingsocket technique involves heat fusion of pipes with a tubular
fitting with pipe sections fitting having tubular socket ends. Pipe sections (Note 3) are inserted in each end of the fitting. The
couplingsocket contains an internal heat source. The heat source can be: (is 1) a resistance wire coil located on the inner surface
of the fitting, or (fitting. 2) the fitting itself can be made of an electrically conductive material. When electric current is applied,
heat is produced in the fitting melting the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe. The melted material from the two
components flow together and fuse as the joint cools. A clamping device should be used to secure the joint and hold it in axial
alignment during the joining process. The device may be either an external clamp or one which is integral to the coupling.
NOTE 3—In 7 “pipe” refers to the end of a length of pipe or to a spigot end of a fitting such as a tee, elbow, valve, etc., having pipe dimensions that
is the inlet or outlet of the component being joined.
7.2 Technique 2: Saddle Type—The electrofusion saddle technique involves heat fusion of a saddle fitting to the outer surface
of a pipe. The heat source is located on the fusion surface of the concave base of the saddle fitting and can be either: (1) a resistance
wire coil, or (2) a conductive polymer. When electric current is applied, heat is produced at the interface of the pipe and fitting,
melting the surface of the two components. The fusion bond occurs when the melted materials of the two components flow together
and cool below the melting temperature of the material. During the fusion process, a clamping device should be used to hold the
fitting in place on the pipe. This device may be either an external clamp or one that is integral to the saddle fitting itself.
8. Apparatus
8.1 General Recommendations:
8.1.1 Power Source—An adequate source of electricity is required. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for the type
of power (ac or dc), input voltage, frequency (Hertz) and power output (KW) required for proper fusion of fittings. A transformer
may be required if the source voltage differs from the voltage recommended by the manufacturer.
8.1.2 Extension Cord—If the power source is remote from the installation site, an extension cord may be required. Select an
extension cord of sufficient conductor size to deliver the required voltage to the control box.
8.1.3 Control Box—A control box is required to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to the electrofusion fitting.
Semi-automatic and fully automatic control boxes may incorporate either timers or sensing circuits which monitor temperatures,
F1290 − 19
current, or pressures in the fittings during the fusion process. Control boxes may (1) incorporate a barcode scanning device that
reads the input parameters on the electrofusion fitting,
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