Socket Fusion Welding (SFW)

Heated Tool Butt Welding (HT)

Flow Fusion Welding (FFW)
Electrofusion Welding (EFW)
Infrared Welding (IRW)
Hot Gas Welding (HGW)
Speed Welding (HS)
Fan Welding (HF)
Extrusion Welding (EX)
Solvent Cement Welding (SCW)

control specimen. The specimen from the base material tested to determine the tensile
strength for the purpose of determiningan acceptable tensile.

fan welding (HF). A hot gas welding method where the weld rod is fed into the joint without
the aid of a welding nozzle; the pressure is applied directly to the welding rod by the welder.

hot gas welding (HGW). A thermoplastic welding process in which the parts are softened by
hot gas from a welding gun and joined together.

solvent cement welding (SCW). A method for joining certain thermoplastic (PVC, CPVC,
and ABS) pipe and fittings in which primer and solvent cement containing chemical solvents
are used to dissolve the surfaces of the pipe OD and the fitting socket to fuse the surfaces
together to form a pipe joint assembly.

testweldment/coupon. Workpieces joined by welding to qualify welding procedures,

welders, or welding operators.
Test weldment/coupons shall be subjected to the applicable tests in Table 4.1. The type,
number, location, and evaluation criteria for tests shall be as given in 4.6,

Table 4.1, Test Methods Required for Procedure Qualification

Table 4.2, Thickness Limitations for Procedure Qualification

Groove test weldment/coupons shall be large enough to provide the necessary test specimens.
Multiple test weldment/coupons may be necessary to provide all the required specimens. The
test piece preparation for weldments is illustrated in Figure 4.1.
Test Preparation. Start with a minimum of 10 in by 40 in (254 mm by 1016 mm) piece of
plastic sheet of the type and thickness to be tested. Cut the sheet as shown in Fig. 4.1 to yield
five pieces, four measuring 5 in by 17 in (125 mm by 430 mm) and one measuring 5 in by 10
in (127 mm by 254 mm). Two 5 in by 17 in (125 mm by 430 mm) pieces will be used for
horizontal welding and two 5 in by 17 in (125 mm by 430 mm) pieces for vertical welding.
The 5 in by 10 in (125 mm by 254 mm) sample will be cut into Control Specimens. For bend
test specimens where the thickness is greater than 0.590 in (15 mm), test specimens shall be
cut per Table 4.4. Control Specimens will be used as the basis for determining the tensile test
requirement of the weldment. Label each piece as to type of plastic, method of welding,
orientation of welding, and welder identification.

Edge Preparation.Bevel one 17 in (450 mm) edge of each 5 in by 17 in (125 mm by 430

mm) piece in preparation for welding. Beveling shall be done using suitable apparatus such
as routers, joiners, or saws, that accurately reflect methods utilized in the field. Typical bevel
profiles for the various sheet thicknesses are illustrated in Figures 4.2 and 4.3.
After visual examination, the test weldment/coupon shall be evaluated using the tests
required in Table 4.1. Control specimens shall be removed from the locations shown in
Figure 4.1 for sheet and Figure 4.4 for pipe. The preparation and dimensions of specimens
shall be as provided in Figure 4.1 and/or Figure 4.5 of this specification.
Weld Test Specimens. For each of the horizontally and vertically welded test pieces, cut and
discard a 1 in (25 mm) strip off each end of the 17 in by 10 in (425 mm by 250 mm) welded
specimen resulting in a piece 15 in by 10 in (380 mm by 250 mm). From this remaining
piece, cut at least five (5) 1 in ± 0.01 in (25 mm ± 0.25 mm) wide by 10 in (250 mm) long
strips for tensile testing and at least six (6)—three (3) specimens for face, three (3) specimens
for root (dimensions in accordance with Table 4.4)—for bend testing. The specimens shall be
conditioned for a minimum of 16 hours at 73°F ± 4°F (23°C ± 2°C) prior to bending.

Control Specimens
Sheet.Cut at least five (5) pieces off the 5 in by 10 in (125 mm by 250 mm) control specimen
to the same dimensions as welded test specimens.
Pipe.Cut 1 in by 10 in (25 mm by 250 mm) piece for a total of six pieces at 60° apart
throughout the pipe circumference.
Condition all specimens for evaluation for 16 hours at 73° ± 4°F (23°C ± 2°C).

Tension Test
4.6.8.1 Control Specimens. Measure the width and thickness of the test pieces to the nearest
0.001 in (0.025 mm) at the one-third intervals of the length not held by the grips. Record the
respective measurements, calculate the respective cross-sectional areas, and calculate the
average cross-sectional area of test pieces. Conduct the tensile test using a suitable test
machine pulling at a cross-head speed chosen so that the yield strength is obtained in
approximately one minute.
If necessary the cross-head speed shall be determined by a pretest. The cross-head speeds of
some thermoplastics are given in Table 4.6. The test and control specimen shall have the
same gauge length.
4.6.8.2 Test Specimens. Measure width and thickness of the test pieces to the nearest 0.001
in (0.025 mm) at the one-third intervals of that length not held by the grips. Do not measure
thickness within 1/4 in (6 mm) of the weld bead area. Record the respective measurements
calculate the respective cross-sectional areas and calculate the average cross sectional area of
test pieces

4.6.8.3 Calculation
(1) Calculate the tensile yield strengths of each specimen as follows:
S = P/A
where:
S = tensile yield strength, psi (MPa)
P = load, lbf (N) at yield
A = average cross-sectional area, in2 (mm2)
(2) Average cross-sectional area is the product of the average width and average thickness for
each individual specimen
as measured in 4.6.8.1 and 4.6.8.2.

(3) Control Strength. Calculate the average sheet tensile yield strength of the five control
specimens.
(4) Short Term Weld Factor. Calculate the short term weld factors for each vertically and
horizontally welded specimen
as follows:

Weld Strength, psi (MPa)

Short Term Weld Factor =
Average Control Strength, psi (MPa)

(5) All weld factors of the test specimens shall meet or exceed the values for the type of
thermoplastic material listed in Table 4.3 or as agreed to between the supplier and user. If any
specimen fails to meet or exceed the specified values, the test is considered a failure and a
newly prepared specimen shall be used for retesting. Subsequent failures should call for
investigation of the technique and equipment. If the specimen fails within one specimen
width of the clamps, the results may be discarded and a new test is required.
4.6.9 Test Procedure—Bend Test
4.6.9.1 Bend specimens shall be bent using the guided bend test fixtures shown in Figure 4.7.
Table 4.4 specifies the specimen dimensions and the test fixture dimensions for bend testing.
Testing of specimens can be evaluated by either bend angle or ram displacement.
(1) Bend angle is determined as the difference between the final angle when either fracture
occurs or a crack is visible and the initial angle. The angles at both ends of the specimen
outside of the rollers are measured. The bend angle is calculated by addition of both values.
Existing angle-deviations from the horizontal are to be determined and considered (see Figure
4.8).
(2) When using ram displacement to determine bend testing requirements, the minimum ram
displacement values are listed in Table 4.5. Ram displacement during testing is determined
as: (1) the difference between the final ram displacement when either fracture occurs or a
crack is visible and the initial position of the ram, or (2) the value taken from Table
4.5 for specimens considered as “no failure” (i.e., specimens which do not crack or fracture).
(3) Test arrangement is as shown in Figure 4.7. Table 4.4 shows the dimensions of the test
arrangement and the test specimen dimensions. The dimensions of the specimens mentioned
are related to the nominal dimensions of the finished products.
(4) The width of the ram and the width of supports shall be larger than the width of specimen.
The ram shall be positioned in the middle of the weld.
(5) Bend test specimens from pipe shall be cut uniformly around the circumference. The test
specimens shall be cut radially or with parallel sides. The width of the specimen cut radially
is given by the mean value of the largest and smallest width. Multiple test weldment/coupons
shall be used for pipe diameter smaller than 4 in (102 mm).
(6) The bead shall be removed where the ram is in contact with the specimen during testing.
A maximum of 0.039 in (1 mm) of the longitudinal edges of the test specimen to be subjected
to extension shall be removed at an angle of approximately 45°. These chamfers shall be
continuous through the bead (see Figure 4.6).
4.6.9.2 Bend Testing
(1) Bend testing shall be conducted no sooner than 16 hours after welding. No heat treatment
operation or modificationsare allowed on the test specimen. Condition a minimum of 6
specimens for evaluation for 16 hours at 73°F ± 4°F (23° ± 2°C).
(2) A minimum of six (6) test specimens shall be tested with three tested for each face of the
weld.
(3) The moment when the tip of the ram is in contact with the specimen shall be recorded.
The test procedure shall be stopped when the specimen breaks or crack occurs. The result
shall be recorded.
(4) For bend angle measurement, the accuracy of the measuring device and the display shall
be at ±1°. The equipment shall have an electronic or mechanical measuring device with
sufficient precision.
(5) The accuracy for measuring the ram displacement shall be at least ±0.0039 in (±0.1 mm).
(6) Each test value shall be equal to or larger than either the bend angles or the minimum ram
displacements given in Figures 4.9 through 4.18. If up to two test specimens do not achieve
the minimum required bend angle or ram displacement, two additional test specimens from
the same welded test piece can be tested at the same face. No more than two additional test
specimens shall be tested. The additional test specimens shall meet the requirements.
(7) Determination of ram displacement or bend angle is illustrated in Figure 4.8.