prEN 13100-3
(Main)Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing
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 couverte s'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
Relations
Overview
prEN 13100-3:2025 (CEN) defines manual ultrasonic testing methods for non-destructive testing (NDT) of welded joints in thermoplastic semifinished products. It covers heated tool, electrofusion, extrusion and hot gas welded joints in single‑wall pipes and plates with wall/thicknesses from 10 mm to 100 mm. The document describes required equipment, personnel qualifications, examination volumes, scanning preparation, and reporting. It does not specify acceptance levels for indications - these must be defined by the purchaser or project requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and materials: Applies to welded joints in thermoplastics (pipes and plates), thickness range 10–100 mm.
- Personnel & certification: Operators shall be qualified per EN ISO 9712 (or equivalent) and familiar with thermoplastic‑specific testing issues.
- Equipment & verification: Ultrasonic systems must meet EN ISO 22232‑1/2/3 requirements for instruments and probes.
- Probe parameters:
- Use longitudinal (compression) wave transducers only.
- Frequency range 1 MHz to 5 MHz; select to maximize flaw sensitivity without degrading signal‑to‑noise.
- Piezo‑composite transducers permitted to improve signal‑to‑noise.
- Focusing: recommended for electrofusion joints (focal distance ≈ wall thickness); typically not for heated tool/extrusion/hot gas unless specified.
- Angles: probes should examine fusion faces at or near normal incidence (e.g., 0° for electrofusion).
- Wedges: PTFE or water wedges; gap between wedge and surface ≤ 0.5 mm. For curved surfaces, ensure D ≥ 15·a or adapt wedge and reset sensitivity.
- Examination volume: Must include weld and at least 5 mm of parent material either side (or the melt‑zone width - whichever is greater). Full coverage required; combine techniques if necessary.
- Techniques referenced: normal and angled incidence, tandem, TOFD (time‑of‑flight diffraction), creeping waves.
- Range & sensitivity: follow EN ISO 16811 and related guidance; sensitivity should be reset if joint temperature changes by more than 10 °C.
- Reporting: standardized content requirements for equipment, technique, results and location/characterization of indications.
Applications and users
Who uses prEN 13100-3:
- NDT technicians and certified inspectors performing ultrasonic inspection of thermoplastic welds.
- Manufacturers of PE/thermoplastic pipes and plate fabricators for production quality control.
- Welding engineers, asset owners and maintenance teams for commissioning and in-service inspection programs.
- Inspection bodies and specifiers developing written examination procedures and acceptance criteria.
Typical uses:
- Quality assurance of electrofusion, heated tool and extrusion welds in pipe production and installation.
- Acceptance and verification testing during fabrication, installation and repair of thermoplastic piping systems.
Related standards
- EN 1330‑2, EN ISO 5577, EN ISO 9712, EN ISO 16811, EN ISO 16826, EN ISO 16828, EN ISO 22232‑1/2/3.
- ISO/TS 16943 and ISO/TS 22499 referenced for phased‑array ultrasonic testing of specific joint types.
Keywords: ultrasonic testing, non‑destructive testing, thermoplastics, welded joints, electrofusion, heated tool, extrusion, hot gas, prEN 13100‑3, EN 13100‑3.
Frequently Asked Questions
prEN 13100-3 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Non destructive testing of welded joints in thermoplastics semifinished products - Part 3: Ultrasonic testing". This standard covers: 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.
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.
prEN 13100-3 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 25.160.40 - Welded joints and welds; 83.140.01 - Rubber and plastics products in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
prEN 13100-3 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 13100-3:2004. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
You can purchase prEN 13100-3 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
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
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
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.
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
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
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.
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/
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/
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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