Tests on Plastic Pipes
Based on the many applications and different types of materials, there are a large number of national and international standards available for testing of plastic pipes. Both the material properties of the plastic and the performance characteristics of the finished pipe are tested. ZwickRoell testing machines are used to perform many of these tests.
Important tests on plastic pipes Application-based test requirements Quality standards for testing of plastic pipes Interesting customer projects
Plastic pipe test requirements for different applications
- Pipe systems made of thermoplastic polymers or fiberglass reinforced plastics are used to transport liquids (mainly water) or gases. These systems are subject to stringent quality requirements.
- Thermoplastic pipes, for example, made of PE, PP, PVC or PEX are manufactured in a variety of designs and feature mechanical properties including corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, low weight, flexibility, adequate ring stiffness and a low level of surface roughness.
- Pipes with smooth inner and outer surfaces are often used as sewer base pipes for wastewater disposal. They can be produced in the form of solid wall tubes or as core-foamed tubes. Outer diameters range from 16 mm to 1200 mm. Heat-resistant pipes, which must also meet higher fire protection requirements, are used internally in homes and buildings.
- Applications for corrugated pipes range from cable protection in machine construction, ship building and the automotive industry to drainage, safety, wastewater and sewer pipe applications with diameters up to 1800 mm. The corrugation feature makes these pipes very flexible in the longitudinal direction, which allows them to easily adapt to the environment while still maintaining a high level of ring stiffness. Special mechanical properties can be achieved by the type of profiling of the pipe wall or through hollow chambers.
- Through the combination of different materials, properties can be selectively created. A typical example of this type of multilayer composite pipe is an aluminum pipe that is lined inside and outside with an adhesive layer of cross-linked PE (PEX). These types of pipes are very flexible, easy to install and impermeable to oxygen.
- GRP pipes normally have a higher level of ring stiffness and can also be used for the transport of chemicals. These pipes are manufactured with outer diameters up to 3000 mm.
Quality standards in testing of plastic pipes
The testing of pipes is based on the defined field of application. The national building and construction authorities require the approval of pipes according to a defined set of criteria, which are usually defined in specification standards or technical delivery conditions, with a great level of detail. The requirements can vary widely from one country to another.
Due to the wide range of application areas and materials, there are numerous national and international standards used in the testing of plastic pipes. Both the material properties of the plastic and the performance characteristics of the finished pipe are tested. ZwickRoell testing machines perform many of these tasks precisely and accurately.
The following overview provides and exemplary impression of the scope of the tests that apply to an underground PE pipe system, which is used for pressureless drainage and irrigation applications to EN 13476-1. The dimensional measurement are not presented here.
- EN 13476-1:
Plastic pipeline systems for underground pressureless sewer lines - Pipeline system with profiled wall of plasticizer-free polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) - part 1: General requirements and features
Mechanical properties of pipes
- ISO 9969 Ring stiffness
- EN 744 Resistance to external blows by the round-the-clock-method, drop weight tester method
- ISO 13968 Ring flexibility
- ISO 9967 Creep behavior
- EN 1979 Tensile strength of a seam
- EN 1411 Resistance to external blows by using the staircase method, drop weight tester method
