scope:

This standard describes coextruded polyethylene (PE) composite pressure pipes with a welded aluminum tube reinforcement between the inner and outer layers of PE, primarily for use as underground water service lines. The inner and outer layers are bonded to the aluminum tube by a polymeric melt adhesive. This standard describes both linear polyethylene-aluminum-polyethylene configurations, hereafter referred to as PE-AL-PE pipes, and cross-linked polyethylene-aluminum-cross-linked polyethylene configurations, hereafter referred to as PEX-AL-PEX pipes.

Pipes described in this standard are made from Grade PE20, PE23, PE30, or PE33, Class A, B, or C PE material in combination with polymeric melt adhesive and aluminum tube, as defined further in this standard and in ASTM* F1281 and ASTM F1282. This standard describes pipe conforming to outside diameter dimensions in nominal size from ½ in. (12 mm)* through 2 in. (50 mm). The concept of dimension ratio is not relevant to these composite pipes and cannot be used to relate pressure rating (PR) with total wall thickness. The pressure rating of these composite pipes is sensitive to the thickness of the aluminum metal reinforcing layer. Pipes having the same PE thickness but different metal reinforcing layer thickness will have different pressure ratings. Design, installation, and application considerations are discussed in the Foreword of this standard.

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide the requirements for materials, design, testing and inspection, and shipping of PE-AL-PE and PEX-AL-PEX pipe for use primarily as service lines in the construction of underground water distribution systems.