An American National Standard

Designation: F 2145 – 01

Standard Specification for

Polyamide 11 (PA 11) Mechanical Fittings for Use on
Outside Diameter Controlled Polyamide 11 Pipe and Tubing1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 2145; 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 D 2837 Test Method for Obtaining Hydrostatic Design

1.1 This specification describes requirements and test meth- Basics for Thermoplastic Pipe Materials3
ods for the qualification of Polyamide 11 (PA 11) bodied F 412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems3
mechanical fittings for use with outside diameter controlled F 1588 Test Method for Constant Tensile Load Joint Test
Polyamide 11 (PA 11) pipe, nominal 2 pipe size (IPS), and (CTLJT)3
smaller complying with Specification D 2513. In addition, it 2.2 ASME Standard:
specifies general requirements of the material from which these ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping
fittings are made. Systems4
1.2 The test methods described in this specification are not 2.3 Federal Standard:
intended to be used as routine quality tests. CFR, Title 49, Part 192 Pipeline Safety Regulations5
1.3 This specification covers the types of mechanical fittings 2.4 Plastic Pipe Institute Standard:
covered in 3.2.1. PPI TR-4 PPI Listing of Hydrostatic Design Bases (HDB),
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded Pressure Design Bases (PDB), and Minimum Required
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for Strength (MRS) Ratings for Thermoplastic Piping Mate-
information only. rials or Pipe6
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the 3. Terminology
test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification. This
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, 3.1 Definitions—Definitions of the terms used in this speci-
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user fication are in accordance with Terminology F 412 unless
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health otherwise specified. Abbreviations are in accordance with
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory require- Terminology D 1600 unless otherwise specified.
ments prior to use. 3.1.1 The Gas Industry Terminology is in accordance with
1.6 The text of this specification references notes and ASME B31.8 or CFR, Title 49, Part 192 unless otherwise
footnotes, which provide explanatory material. These notes and specified.
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be 3.1.2 The term “pipe” refers to both “pipe” and “tubing”.
considered as requirements of this specification. The term “fitting” refers to a mechanical connecting device as
described in 3.1.4 and 3.1.6.
2. Referenced Documents 3.1.3 joint, n—the location at which two pieces of pipe and
2.1 ASTM Standards: a fitting are connected together. For example, an installed
D 638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics2 coupling has two joints.
D 1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe 3.1.4 joint, mechanical, n—a connection between piping
Under Constant Internal Pressure3 components and employing physical force to develop a seal or
D 1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to produce alignment.
Plastics2 3.1.5 long-term-strength (LTS), n—the estimated tensile
D 2513 Specification for Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe, stress that when applied continuously will cause failure at
Tubing, and Fittings3
4
Available from American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Three Park
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5990.
5
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.10 on Fittings. Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2001. Published December 2001. Office, Washington D.C. 20402.
2 6
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Available from Plastic Pipe Institute, 1825 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 680,
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04. Washington D.C. 20009.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 F 2145 – 01
100 000 h. This is the intercept of the stress regression line with resistance to bacteriological decomposition. Such compounds include ice
the 100 000 h coordinate. thawing chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, leak detection
3.1.6 mechanical fitting, n—fitting for making a mechanical fluids, acids, bases, and, antifreeze solutions used to thaw frozen lines. The
effects of liquid environments such as antifreeze agents, odorants, and
joint to provide for pressure integrity, leak tightness, and hydrocarbons are known to be deleterious to some plastics, particularly
resistance to end loads. under service conditions.
[Link] category 1 mechanical fitting, n—fitting for assem-
bling pipes, which includes a compression zone to provide for 5. Dimensions
pressure integrity, leak tightness, and resistance to end loads 5.1 The dimensions and tolerance shall be determined by
sufficient to cause no less than 25 % elongation of the PA11 the manufacturer.
piping as described in this specification.
3.1.7 MAOP, n—The Maximum Allowable Operating Pres- 6. Qualification Requirements
sure of the fuel gas piping system in psig as determined in 6.1 General—Unless otherwise specified, each nominal size
accordance with CFR, Title 49, Part 192 and as represented in of fitting shall be tested. Testing of the thickest wall pipe that
the following: the fitting is designed to be used with qualifies it with use of
MAOP 5 P 5 2 3 S/~DR21! 3 fD (1) lesser wall thickness.
6.1.1 Mechanical joint qualifications shall be performed on
where: assembled joints using the fitting manufacturers joining proce-
S = the PA 11 material’s HDB as published in PPI TR-4, dure. All mechanical fitting offered by the manufacturer shall
DR = the pipe’s dimension ratio determined by dividing the be capable of meeting the requirements of this standard when
pipe’s specified nominal outside diameter by the connecting Polyamide 11 gas piping complying with Specifi-
pipe’s specified wall thickness; and, cation D 2513. To verify the structural integrity of the fitting
fD = the design factor for thermoplastic fuel gas piping as body, representative samples shall be subjected to the require-
set by the authority having jurisdiction. In the United ments of 6.2.1. It is not the intent of the specification to require
States, the design factor is cited in CFR, Title 49, Part testing of all fitting configurations, that is, tees, ells, etc., but
192.121. each mechanical joint design in each size.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 6.1.2 All mechanical fitting described in 3.2.1 shall have an
3.2.1 Types of Mechanical Fittings: internal pipe reinforcing tubular insert stiffener that extends at
3.2.2 in-line fitting, n—mechanical fitting used to make a least under the seal and gripping device, where used. The
mechanical joint where the bore axis of compression and saddle portion of saddle-type fittings do not require an internal
sealing zones of the fitting is essentially the same as the tubular stiffener due to the nature of the connection.
connected pipe, for example, couplings, ells, and tees. 6.2 Performance Requirements:
3.2.3 mechanical saddle fitting, n—mechanical fitting used 6.2.1 Elevated Temperature Sustained Pressure—The fitting
to make a mechanical joint that allows a lateral connection to joint or pipe in the area affected by the fitting shall not fail as
an exiting main in which a portion of the fitting is contoured to defined in Test Method D 1598, when tested in accordance
match the O.D. of the pipe to which it is attached. Herein with 7.2. The fitting or joint meets this requirement when tested
referred to as the saddle fitting mating pipe or main pipe size. in accordance with any one of the two conditions (A or B)
listed in 7.2.
4. Materials and Manufacture Requirements 6.2.2 Tensile Strength—The pipe joint shall accommodate
4.1 Polyamide 11 (PA 11) pressure containing materials the tensile loading when tested in accordance with 7.3.
subject to continuous stress, either hoop or axial, shall meet the [Link] In-Line Fitting, Category 1—The joint shall provide
requirements of Specification D 2513, Annex A5, have an resistance to a force on the pipe equal to or greater than that
ASTM material specification, and the materials long-term which will cause no less than 25 % elongation of pipe, or the
strength, such as the long-term hydrostatic strength, deter- pipe fails outside the joint area when tested in accordance with
mined in accordance with Test Method D 2837, excepting that 7.3.
failure data can be obtained from specimens such as the [Link] Mechanical Saddle Fittings—The joint between the
following: tensile bars, plane strain, or actual fitting samples. saddle and mating pipe shall not fail by rotation or leakage
4.2 The physical properties of the PA 11 material used to when tested in accordance with 7.5.
produce the fitting shall be available from the fitting manufac- [Link] Joint restrain capabilities less than as defined above
turer upon request. shall constitute failure of the test.
4.3 Specifications outlining all the physical properties and 6.2.3 Temperature Cycling Test—The mechanical joint shall
effects of environmental conditions for the PA 11 material used provide a pressure seal after 10 cycles of the temperature
to produce the fitting shall be available from the fitting cycling test when tested in accordance with 7.4.
manufacturer upon request. 6.2.4 Constant Tensile Load Joint Test—The joint shall not
fail leakage or pullout when loaded to an axial tensile stress of
NOTE 1—Materials in long term contact with natural gas of line quality
and LP gas vapor should be demonstrated not to adversely affect the 1320 psi (9.1 Mpa) and tested in accordance with 7.5.
performance of the fitting. 7. Test Methods
NOTE 2—Materials should have demonstrated resistance to environ-
mental stress cracking when exposed, under stress to chemical compounds 7.1 General—The test methods of the specification covers
encountered in, or external gas piping systems, and a demonstrated the mechanical joint designs. Test methods that are applicable

2
 F 2145 – 01
from other specifications will be referenced in the section 7.4.1 Test shall be conducted on six of the smallest and six
pertaining to that particular test. of the largest nominal pipe sizes of each mechanical joint
7.1.1 Conditioning—Condition the specimen prior to join- design and assembled in accordance with 6.1.1.
ing at 73.4 6 3.6°F for not less than 16 h. 7.4.2 Leak test specimens at ambient at 7 6 3 psig and a
7.1.2 Test Conditions—Conduct the tests at the standard lab minimum of 1.5 3 MAOP.
temperature of 73.4 6 3.6°F. 7.4.3 Cool specimens to a temperature of -20 6 3.6°F and
7.1.3 Test Specimens—Tests joints shall be prepared with maintain for a minimum of 2.5 h.
the appropriate size PA 11 pipe, complying with the dimen- 7.4.4 Condition specimens to a temp of 140 6 3.6°F and
sional requirements of Specification D 2513, in accordance maintain for a minimum of 2.5 h.
with the manufacturer’s joining procedure. 7.4.5 Repeat 7.4.3 and 7.4.4 for a total of 10 cycles.
7.2 Elevated Temperature Sustained Pressure Test: 7.4.6 Pressurize 50 % of the specimens of each size at 7 6
7.2.1 The apparatus and report shall be specified in Test 3 psig and the remaining 50 % of each size at 1.5 3 MAOP of
Method D 1598. Test six joints assembled in accordance with the piping material and SDR that the fittings are designed to be
6.1.1. used with. Leak test first at 140 6 3.6°F and then at -20 6
7.2.2 The assembled joints shall be tested in accordance 3.6°F.
with Test Method D 1598 with the exception that it is not
NOTE 3—If immersion is used for leak testing, and the design of the
required that 12 in. or five times the nominal outside diameter joint is such that air can be trapped within the joint assembly, allow
of the pipe used in conducting the test be placed on each side adequate time for all air trapped within the joint to escape prior to
of the fitting being tested. The test shall be conducted at one of observing for leaks.
the time/temperature/hoop stress combinations shown in Table
7.5 Constant Tensile Load Joint Tests (In-Line Joints Only):
1 with the test pressure calculated using Eq 2. If ductile failure
7.5.1 One specimen of each nominal pipe size shall be
occurs in the pipe at 176°F (80°C) /1600 psi (9.4 MPa) hoop
tested in accordance with Test Method F 1588 for a minimum
stress, retest at 176°F (80°C)/1250 psi (12.6 MPa) hoop stress.
of 1000 h at an internal pressure between 4 psig (27.6 kPa) and
P 5 2S/~DR – 1! (2) the pipe MAOP.
where: 7.5.2 Failure of the specimen shall constitute failure of the
P = test pressure, psig, test.
S = hoop stress from Table 1, and 7.6 Rotation Test (Mechanical Saddle Fittings Only):
DR = dimension ratio (OD/wall). 7.6.1 Test shall be conducted on six of the smallest and
7.2.3 Failure of two of the six specimens tested shall largest nominal pipe sizes of each mechanical joint design and
constitute failure in the test. Failure of one of the six specimens assembly assembled in accordance with 6.1.1.
tested is cause for retest of six additional specimens. Failure of 7.6.2 The test shall be conducted at 73.4 6 3.6°F.
one of the six specimens in retest shall constitute failure of the 7.6.3 Saddle fittings shall be assembled onto the mating
test. Evidence of failure of the pipe shall be defined in Test pipe so that the minimum length of the unreinforced pipe is
Method D 1598. equal to five times the nominal diameter of the pipe to which
7.3 Tensile Strength Test: the saddle is being installed.
7.3.1 Test specimens shall be prepared so that the minimum 7.6.4 Following the manufacturer’s recommended proce-
length of unreinforced pipe is equal to five times the nominal dure for installing saddle fittings, tap the mating pipe and
outside diameter of the pipe being tested. It is permissible to remove the saddle fitting cutter.
test multiple joints together provided that minimum length of 7.6.5 Alignment marks shall be placed on both the saddle
unreinforced pipe exists on at least one joint. fitting and the mating pipe to identify the original position of
7.3.2 In-line fittings shall be tested with the apparatus as the assembly.
specified in Test Method D 638 and reported as specified in 7.6.6 Either the saddle fitting, or the mating pipe, shall be
Test Method D 638. Test six joints. restrained in a manner that does not affect the saddle fitting
7.3.3 The test shall be conducted at 73.4 6 3.6°F. joint.
7.3.4 The speed of the testing shall be .2 in./min 6 25 %. 7.6.7 A torque shall be applied to the unrestrained compo-
7.3.5 Failure of two of the six specimens tested shall nent of the assembly and a torsion load applied about the
constitute failure of the test. Failure of one of the six specimens centerline of the mating pipe.
is cause of retest of six additional specimens. Failure of one of 7.6.8 The saddle fitting assembly shall be capable of with-
the six specimens in retest shall constitute failure of the test. standing the torsion loads indicated in Table 2 without the
7.4 Thermal Cycling Test: saddle fitting rotating relative to the mating pipe or adversely
affecting the integrity of the joint.

TABLE 1 Elevated Temperature Sustained Pressure Test

Conditions TABLE 2 Rotation Test Torsion Load Requirements
Condition Minimum Time Temperature Pipe Hoop Stress, S Main Pipe Size Minimum Torsion Load
A 1000 h 176 6 3.6°F (80 6 2°F) 1250 psi (8.62 MPa) NPS 1-1⁄4 30 ft-lbf (40.7 N·m)
B 170 h 176 6 3.6°F (80 6 2°F) 1600 psi (11.03 MPa) NPS 2 and larger 50 ft-lbf (67.8 N·m)

3
 F 2145 – 01
7.6.9 Following rotation testing, leak test in accordance 9.1.5 Manufacturer’s name or trademark,
with the following. Pressurize each saddle tee joint at 7 6 3 9.1.6 Size, followed by “IPS” or “CTS” designation, and
psig and at a minimum of 1.5 3 MAOP of the pipe on which SDR or wall thickness range,
they are being tested. 9.1.7 The word “gas”, or if space does not permit, the letter
7.6.10 Observe the joint for leakage for 2 to 3 min at each “G” for gas distribution applications,
pressure. 9.1.8 Category 1 abbreviation is permitted as CAT1,
7.6.11 The joint shall be bubble tight when tested with leak 9.1.9 All required markings shall be legible and so applied
detection soap, liquid immersion, or other equivalent methods. as to remain legible under normal handling and installation
7.6.12 Failure of any one of the six samples shall constitute practices. If indentation is used, it shall be demonstrated that
failure of the test. these marks have no affect on the long-term strength of the
fitting, and
NOTE 4—The rotation test is intended to qualify only the joint between
the saddle fitting and the mating pipe, not the lateral connection coming 9.1.10 Fitting intended for use with natural gas at elevated
from the saddle fitting. It is the intent of this specification that a lateral temperatures greater than 73°F shall be marked with additional
connection joint design will be qualified by virtue of utilizing a design code letters from Table 4 of Specification D 2513 the first code
similar to an in-line fitting and capable of meeting the requirements for letter to identify the temperature of the pressure rating, and a
in-line fittings contained within this specification. second code letter to identify the HDB at the highest recom-
8. Product Instructions mended temperature.
8.1 Qualified installation instructions shall be available 10. Manufacturer’s Caveat
from the manufacturer and supplied with the fitting.
10.1 Specification F 2145—When the product is marked
9. Product Marking with this ASTM designation, the manufacturer affirms that the
9.1 Fitting shall be marked with the following: product is manufactured in accordance with this specification
9.1.1 The designation F 2145, and has been found to meet the requirements of this specifi-
9.1.2 The designation D 2513 if intended for use with cation.
natural gas,
9.1.3 Two or three letter coded plastic material identifica- 11. Keywords
tion, in accordance with PPI TR-4 or the equivalent, 11.1 gas; mechanical saddle fitting; plastic mechanical fit-
9.1.4 Date or lot code identification, ting; Polyamide 11 pipe; rotation test; temperature cycling test

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