Designation: D 1598 – 97 An American National Standard

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS

100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM

Standard Test Method for

Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal
Pressure1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1598; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope NOTE 1—Overall distention which results from creep caused by long-
term stress is not considered to be a ballooning failure.
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the time-
to-failure of both thermoplastic and reinforced thermosetting/ 3.1.3 free (unrestrained) end closure—a pipe specimen end
resin pipe under constant internal pressure. closure (cap) that seals the end of the pipe against loss of
1.2 This test method provides a method of characterizing internal fluid and pressure, and is fastened to the pipe speci-
plastics in the form of pipe under the conditions prescribed. men.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1.4 restrained end closure—a pipe specimen end closure
as the standard. (cap) that seals the end of the specimen against loss of internal
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the fluid and pressure, but is not fastened to the pipe specimen.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Restrained end closures rely on tie-rod(s) through the pipe
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- specimen or on external structure to resist internal pressure end
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- thrust.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3.1.5 rupture—a break in the pipe wall with immediate loss
of test fluid and continued loss at essentially no pressure. If
2. Referenced Documents rupture is not preceded by some yielding, this may be termed
2.1 ASTM Standards: a non-ductile failure.
D 2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Ther- 3.1.6 seepage or weeping—water or fluid passing through
moplastic Pipe and Fittings2 microscopic breaks in the pipe wall. A reduction in pressure
D 2837 Test Method for Obtaining Hydrostatic Design will frequently enable the pipe to carry fluid without evidence
Basis for Thermoplastic Pipe Materials2 of loss of the liquid.
D 2992 Practice for Obtaining Hydrostatic or Pressure De-
sign Basis for “Fiberglass’’ (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced 4. Summary of Test Method
Thermosetting-Resin) Pipe and Fittings2 4.1 This test method consists of exposing specimens of pipe
D 3517 Specification for “Fiberglass” (Glass-Fiber- to a constant internal pressure while in a controlled environ-
Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Pressure Pipe2 ment. Such a controlled environment may be accomplished by,
D 3567 Practice for Determining Dimensions of “Fiber- but is not limited to, immersing the specimens in a controlled
glass” (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) temperature water or air bath. The time-to-failure is measured.
Pipe and Fittings2 NOTE 2—Dimensional changes should be measured on specimens
undergoing long-term strength tests. Measurements using circumferential
3. Terminology tapes, strain gages, or mechanical extensometers provide useful informa-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: tion.
3.1.1 failure—any continuous loss of pressure with or
without the transmission of the test fluid through the body of 5. Significance and Use
the specimen under test shall constitute failure. Failure may be 5.1 The data obtained by this test method are useful for
by one or a combination of the following modes: establishing stress versus failure time relationships in a con-
3.1.2 ballooning—any localized expansion of a pipe speci- trolled environment from which the hydrostatic design basis
men while under internal pressure. This is sometimes referred for plastic pipe materials can be computed. (Refer to Test
to as ductile failure. Method D 2837 and Practice D 2992.)
5.2 In order to determine how plastics will perform as pipe,
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-17 on Plastic
it is necessary to establish the stress-failure time relationships
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.40 on Test for pipe over 2 or more logarithmic decades of time (hours) in
Methods. a controlled environment. Because of the nature of the test and
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 1997. Published November 1997. Originally specimens employed, no single line can adequately represent
published as D 1598 – 58 T. Last previous edition D 1598 – 86(1991).
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.

1
 D 1598
the data, and therefore the confidence limits should be estab- closure specimens act in the hoop and radial directions only. Because of
lished. this difference in loading, the equivalent hoop stress in free-end closure
specimens of solid wall thermoplastic pipe are approximately 11 % lower
NOTE 3—Some materials may exhibit a nonlinear relationship between than in restrained-end closure specimens tested at the same pressure. The
log-stress and log-failure time, usually at short failure times. In such cases, test results for each specimen and the LTHS will reflect this difference in
the 10 5-hour stress value computed on the basis of short-term test data test method.
may be significantly different than the value obtained when a distribution
of data points in accordance with Test Method D 2837 is evaluated. 6.6 Time and Pressure Tolerance—When added together,
However, these data may still be useful for quality control or other the tolerance for the timing device and the tolerance for the
applications, provided correlation with long-term data has been estab- pressure gage shall not exceed 62 %.
lished.
7. Test Specimens
5.3 The factors that affect creep and long-term strength
behavior of plastic pipe are not completely known at this time. 7.1 Pipe Specimen Length—For pipe sizes of 6 in. (150
This procedure takes into account those factors that are known mm) or less, the specimen length between end closures shall be
to have important influences and provides a tool for investi- not less than five times the nominal outside diameter of the
gating others. pipe, but in no case less than 12 in. (300 mm). For larger sizes
5.4 Creep, or nonrecoverable deformation for pipe made of of pipe, the minimum length between end closures shall be not
some plastics, is as important as actual leakage in deciding less than three times the nominal outside diameter but in no
whether or not a pipe has failed. Specimens that exhibit case less than 30 in. (760 mm).
localized ballooning, however, may lead to erroneous interpre- 7.2 Measurements—Dimensions shall be determined in ac-
tation of the creep results unless a method of determining creep cordance with Test Method D 2122 or Practice D 3567.
is established that precludes such a possibility. Circumferential
8. Conditioning
measurements at two or three selected positions on a specimen
may not be adequate. 8.1 Specimens to be tested at 23°C shall be conditioned at
5.5 Great care must be used to ensure that specimens are test temperatures in a liquid bath for a minimum of 1 h or in a
representative of the pipe under evaluation. Departure from gaseous medium for a minimum of 16 h before pressurizing.
this assumption may introduce discrepancies as great as, if not 8.2 When specimens are to be tested at higher temperatures,
greater than, those due to departure from details of procedure condition them in the elevated temperature environment until
outlined in this test method. they have reached test temperature.
NOTE 5—Conditioning time is a function of pipe size wall thickness,
6. Apparatus
temperature differential, the film heat transfer coefficient and whether the
6.1 Constant-Temperature System—A water bath or other elevated temperature environment is applied to one or both sides of the
fluid bath equipped so that uniform temperature is maintained specimen. One-hour conditioning of 1-in. and smaller pipe at 82°C
throughout the bath. This may require agitation. If an air or (180°F) in a water environment has been found to be sufficient.
other gaseous environment is used, provision shall be made for 8.3 Unless otherwise agreed upon, the test temperature shall
adequate circulation. The test may be conducted at 23°C (73°F) be 23 6 2°C (73 6 3.6°F) for thermoplastics. For thermosets
or other selected temperatures as required and the temperature test at 23 6 2°C (73 6 3.6°F) or at maximum rated tempera-
tolerance requirements shall be 62°C (63.6°F). ture depending on intended service. While every effort should
6.2 Pressurizing System—Any device that is capable of be made to meet the temperature tolerances listed, temporarily
continuously applying constant internal pressure on the speci- exceeding the (+) temperature tolerance does not necessarily
men may be used. The device shall be capable of reaching the require that all samples under test be abandoned. Data points
test pressure without exceeding it and of holding the pressure from such samples may still be acceptable. Refer also to Test
within the tolerance shown in 6.6 for the duration of the test. Method D 2837 or Practice D 2992 to determine the suitability
6.3 Pressure Gage—A pressure gage having an accuracy of these data points.
sufficient to meet the pressure tolerance requirements of 6.6 is
required. 9. Procedure
6.4 Timing Device—A time meter connected to the pressur- 9.1 Attach end closures to the pipe test sections and fill each
ized fluid side of the system through a pressure or flow switch, specimen completely with the test fluid conditioned to the test
or both. The timing device and pressure or flow switch, or both, temperature. Attach the specimens to the pressuring device,
together shall be capable of measuring the time when the making certain no gas is entrapped when using liquids.
specimen is at 98 % or more of test pressure with sufficient Completely immerse the test specimens in the conditioning
accuracy to meet the tolerance requirements of 6.6. medium.
6.5 Specimen End Closures—Either free-end or restrained- 9.2 Support specimens in such a way as to prevent bending
end closures that will withstand the maximum test pressures or deflection by the weight of the pipe while under test. This
may be used. Closures shall be designed so that they do not support shall not constrain the specimen circumferentially or
cause failure of the specimen. Free-end closures shall be used longitudinally.
for referee tests for thermoplastic pipe. 9.3 After conditioning the specimens as specified in Section
NOTE 4—Free-end closures fasten to the specimen so that internal 8, adjust the pressure to produce the desired loading. Apply the
pressure produces longitudinal tensile stress in addition to hoop. Com- pressure to the specimens and make sure the timing devices
pared to free end closure specimens, stresses in the wall of restrained-end have started.
2
 D 1598
9.4 Record the time-to-failure of each specimen. The time- 2 St
P5 (3)
to-failure shall not include periods of time during which the ~D – t!
specimen was under depleted pressure or under no pressure. or:
9.4.1 Any failure occurring within one pipe diameter of the 2S
end closure shall be examined carefully. If there is any reason P5 (4)
~DR – 1!
to believe that the failure is attributable to the end closure, the
value shall be discarded in computing averages or in plotting where terms are as defined in 10.1.
the data. 11. Report
9.4.2 The failure value of a specimen that fails due to 11.1 The report shall include the following:
column buckling shall be discarded in computing averages or 11.1.1 Complete identification of the specimens, including
in plotting the data. material type, manufacturer’s name and code number, and
NOTE 6—For certain materials creep measurements should be made in previous history.
accordance with Test Method D 2837. It describes the procedure for 11.1.2 Pipe dimensions including nominal size, minimum
determining when “circumferential expansion” must be used as a criterion wall thickness, average outside diameter, length of test
for establishing the hydrostatic design stress. specimen between end closures, and type of end closure. For
9.5 Pressure Connections—Each specimen may be pres- reinforced thermosetting pipe, wall thicknesses and outside
sured individually or through a manifold system. If a manifold diameter shall be reinforced dimensions only. Unreinforced
system is utilized, each pressure connection should include a thicknesses shall also be reported.
check valve to prevent pressure depletion of the system when 11.1.3 Test temperature.
one specimen fails. Where the system is designed to prevent 11.1.4 Test environment, including conditioning time.
one specimen failure from depressurizing the manifold, each 11.1.5 Test fluid inside specimens.
specimen shall have its own timing device. 11.1.6 Test pressure, calculated hoop stress, and time-to-
9.6 Test Fluids—While water is normally used inside the failure for each specimen.
test specimens, any fluid may be used. However, if a gas is 11.1.7 When pressure depletion is experienced, the time at
used special care must be taken because of the potential energy which the pressure was depleted and time at which pressure
stored in any compressed gas. was restored shall be reported. The failure time in this case
shall be considered as the total time the specimen was under
NOTE 7—Test Apparatus—All the above components with some addi- full test pressure as defined in 6.2.
tional features can be acquired as assembled stress rupture testers. Some 11.1.8 Plot of hoop stress versus time-to-failure or computer
units utilize a liquid bath environment that can be adjusted from −20 to print-out showing the stress regression line intercepts and the
+150°C. Other units offer a single pressure source with as many as 40
manifolds that can each be set for a different pressure and 240 specimen
lower confidence limit.
positions. A list of manufacturers of stress rupture test equipment can be 11.1.9 Failure mode and any unusual effects of prolonged
obtained from the ASTM Information Center. exposure and type of failure.
11.1.10 Date test was started and reporting date.
10. Calculation 11.1.11 Name of test laboratory and supervisor of this test.
10.1 Hoop stress in the pipe specimens is calculated using 11.1.12 When testing assemblies identify pipe, fitting, and
equations (approximation) for the hoop stress, as follows: joint. Describe in detail the location and mode of failure.
S 5 P~D 2 t!/2t (1) 12. Precision and Bias 3
or 12.1 Precision—Based on a mini laboratory round-robin
conducted on 2-in. medium density polyethylene pipe, the
~DR – 1!
S5P (2) precision (one standard deviation) of this test method for
2
medium density polyethylene pipe is as follows:
where: 12.1.1 Slit Failure Mode:
S 5 hoop stress, psi (MPa) 12.1.1.1 Within-laboratory, 637 % (repeatability).
P 5 internal pressure, psig (MPa) 12.1.1.2 Between-laboratory, 639 % (reproducibility).
D 5 measured average outside diameter, in. (mm). For 12.1.2 Ductile Failure Mode:
reinforced thermosetting pipe, outside diameter shall 12.1.2.1 Within-laboratory, 650 % (repeatability).
not include nonreinforced covers, 12.1.2.2 Between-laboratory, 6100 % (reproducibility).
t 5 measured minimum wall thickness, in. (mm). For 12.2 Bias—Data obtained using this standard test method
reinforced thermosetting pipe use minimum are believed to be reliable since accepted techniques of analysis
reinforced wall thickness, and are used. However, since no referee method is available, no
DR 5 dimension ratio, DR 5 D/t. bias statement can be made.
NOTE 8—An alternative method for calculating the hoop stress of 13. Keywords
reinforced pipe is given in the Annex of Specification D 3517.
13.1 internal pressure; plastic pipe; time-to-failure
10.2 Internal pressure in the pipe specimens is calculated
using equations (approximate) for the internal pressure as 3
Interlaboratory test data and calculations are available from ASTM
follows: Headquarters. Request RR: F 17-1037.

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 D 1598
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