ASTM D2737-22

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D2737 − 21 D2737 − 22 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
Polyethylene (PE) Plastic Tubing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2737; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This specification covers polyethylene (PE) plastic tubing in outside diameters and SDR’s that are pressure rated for water.
Included are requirements for PE compounds, and requirements and test methods for PE plastic tubing workmanship, dimensions,
elevated temperature sustained pressure, burst pressure and marking.
NOTE 1—Refer to specification AWWA C901 and PPI Technical Note 49 (TN-49) for further information on pipe suitability for potable water end use
applications. Oxidative Resistance Classification (CC# rating) information is available from NSF International.
1.2 The text of this specification references notes, footnotes, and appendixes which provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes shall not be considered as requirements of the specification. Notes and footnotes in tables and figures, and Supplementary
Requirements are requirements of the specification.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
NOTE 2—Joining PE plastic tubing with fittings that require flaring the tubing is not recommended because Practice D3140, the technique used to make
the flare has been withdrawn (discontinued).
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test methods portion, Section 7, of this specification: This standard
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics for Testing
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.26 on Olefin Based
Pipe.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2021Nov. 1, 2022. Published August 2021November 2022. Originally approved in 1968. Last previous edition approved in 20202021
as D2737 – 12aD2737 – 21.(2020). DOI: 10.1520/D2737-21.10.1520/D2737-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2737 − 22
D1238 Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer
D1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal Pressure
D1599 Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings
D1600 Terminology for Abbreviated Terms Relating to Plastics
D1603 Test Method for Carbon Black Content in Olefin Plastics
D2122 Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
D2565 Practice for Xenon-Arc Exposure of Plastics Intended for Outdoor Applications
D2837 Test Method for Obtaining Hydrostatic Design Basis for Thermoplastic Pipe Materials or Pressure Design Basis for
Thermoplastic Pipe Products
D3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fittings Materials
D3140 Practice for Flaring Polyolefin Pipe and Tubing (Withdrawn 1999)
D4218 Test Method for Determination of Carbon Black Content in Polyethylene Compounds by the Muffle-Furnace Technique
F412 Terminology Relating to Plastic Piping Systems
F2263 Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Polyethylene (PE) Pipe to Chlorinated Water
G154 Practice for Operating Fluorescent Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Nonmetallic Materials
G155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Materials
2.2 APWA Standard:
APWA Uniform Color Code
2.3 AWWA Standard:
C901 Polyethylene (PE) Pressure Pipe and Tubing, ⁄4 in. (19 mm) Through 3 in. (76 mm), for Water Service
2.4 NSF Standards:
NSF/ANSI Standard No. 14 for Plastic Piping Components and Related Materials
NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard No. 61 for Drinking Water Systems Components—Health Effects
2.5 PPI Standards:
PPI TR-3 Policies and Procedures for Developing Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB), Pressure Design Basis (PDB), Strength
Design Basis (SDB), and Minimum Required Strength (MRS) Ratings for Thermoplastic Piping Materials or Pipe
PPI TR-4 HDB/SDB/PDB/MRS Listed Materials, PPI Listing of Hydrostatic Design Basis (HDB), Strength Design Basis
(SDB), Pressure Design Basis (PDB), and Minimum Required Strength (MRS) Ratings for Thermoplastic Piping Materials
or Pipe
PPI TN-49 Recommendations for AWWA C901 Service Tubes in Potable Water Applications
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Unless otherwise specified, definitions are in accordance with Terminology F412 and abbreviations are in
accordance with Terminology D1600.
4. Tubing Classification
4.1 General—This specification covers PE plastic tubing made from PE compounds in three standard dimension ratios and
pressure rated for water. Pressure ratings for water are dependent on the PE compound in accordance with the following
relationship:
23HDS
PR 5 (1)
~SDR11!
where:
PR = pressure rating for water, 73 °F (23 °C), psi (kPa)
HDS = hydrostatic design stress for water at 73 °F (23 °C), psi (kPa)
SDR = standard dimension ratio
NOTE 3—PR and HDS must have the same units. See Appendix X1 for maximum pressure ratings for water.
4.2 This specification covers PE tubing in standard dimension ratios SDR 7.3, SDR 9, and SDR 11.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from APWA, 1200 Main Street, Suite 1400 Kansas City, MO 64105-2100, https://www.apwa.net/
Available from American Water Works Association (AWWA), 6666 W. Quincy Ave., Denver, CO 80235, http://www.awwa.org.
Available from NSF International, P.O. Box 130140, 789 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0140, http://www.nsf.org.
Available from Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), 105 Decker Court, Suite 825, Irving, TX 75062, http://www.plasticpipe.org.
D2737 − 22
5. Materials
5.1 Polyethylene Compound—Polyethylene compounds suitable for use in the manufacture of tubing under this specification shall
meet thermoplastic materials designation codes PE2708 or PE3608 or PE4710, and shall meet Table 1 requirements for PE2708
or PE3608 or PE4710, and shall meet thermal stability, brittleness temperature and elongation at break requirements in accordance
with Specification D3350. Oxidative Resistance Classification of CC3 is required in specific end use applications as per 5.3.
5.1.1 Color and Ultraviolet (UV) Stabilization—Polyethylene compounds shall meet Specification D3350 code C, D or E. In
addition, Code C polyethylene compounds shall have 2 to 3 percent carbon black, and Code D or E polyethylene compounds shall
have sufficient UV stabilizer to protect tubing from deleterious UV exposure effects during unprotected outdoor shipping and
storage for at least eighteen (18) months.
NOTE 4—Pipe users should consult with the pipe manufacturer about the outdoor exposure life of the product under consideration. Evaluation of UV
stabilizer in Code D or E PE compound using Practice D2565 or Practice G154 or Practice G155 may be useful for this purpose.
5.1.2 Colors for solid color, an external color layer or color stripes—In accordance with the APWA Uniform Color Code, blue
shall identify potable water service; green shall identify sewer service; and purple (lavender) shall identify reclaimed water service.
Yellow identifies gas service and shall not be used. The base resin that is used for an external color layer or color stripes shall be
the same base resin as the body of the pipe in accordance with Table 1.
5.2 Health Effects Requirements—Products intended for contact with potable water, or when otherwise required, shall be
evaluated, tested and certified for conformance with NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard No. 61 or the health effects portion of
NSF/ANSI/CAN Standard No. 14 by a certifying organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.
TABLE 1 Polyethylene Compound Requirements
Material Designation
Requirement PE2708 PE3608 PE4710
Required Value
Minimum HDB at 140 ºF
(60 ºC), psi (MPa),
A A A
in accordance with Test 800 (5.5) 800 (5.5) 800 (5.5)
Method D2837
and PPI TR-3
Minimum HDB at 140 ºF
(60 ºC), psi (MPa),
A A A
in accordance with Test 800 (5.5) 800 (5.5) 1000 (6.9)
Method D2837
and PPI TR-3
HDS for water at 800 (5.5) 800 (5.5) 1000 (6.9)
73 °F (23 °C) psi (MPa),
in accordance with Test
Method D2837
A
and PPI TR-3
Melt flow rate #0.40 g/10 min Cond. #0.15 g/10 min #0.15 g/10 min
in accordance with Test 190/2.16 or #20 g/10 Cond. 190/2.16 or Cond. 190/2.16 or
Method D1238 min Cond. 190/21.6 #20 g/10 min #20 g/10 min
Cond. 190/21.6 Cond. 190/21.6
Specification D3350 Required Value
Cell Classification
Property Requirement
Density (natural base resin) 2 3 4
SCG Resistance 7 6 7
B
Color and UV Stabilizer Code C, D or E C, D or E C, D or E
C C C
Oxidative Resistance Classifi-
cation in accordance with Test
C
Method F2263
A
Contact manufacturer or see PPI TR-4 for listed value.
B
See 5.1.1.
C
See 5.3 for when CC3 classification is required.
D2737 − 22
5.3 Oxidative Resistance—For pipe that is intended for use in the transport of potable water containing oxidizing disinfectants (for
example, hypochlorous acid or chloramines), or when required by the application, customer or regulatory authority having
jurisdiction, the PE compound shall have an oxidative resistance classification of CC3 in accordance with Specification D3350.
The oxidative resistance classification of CC3 is used in conjunction with pipe dimensions in accordance with 6.2.1.1 and 6.2.2.1
to ensure the intended pipe service life is met with respect to oxidative resistance (see Note 45). When the pipe meets these
requirements, it shall be marked CC3 in accordance with 9.1.8. When the pipe does not meet the compound and dimensional
requirements as above it shall not be marked CC3. An oxidative resistance classification is not required for other potable water
services that do not contain oxidizing disinfectants or when it is not required by the application, customer or regulatory authority
having jurisdiction
NOTE 5—See www.plasticpipe.org for further information on potable water disinfectants in small diameter PE pipe and the use of oxidative resistance
classification for specific applications.
NOTE 6—Pipe failure analysis for the oxidative resistance 5.3 is based on Type 2 failures and the brittle failure line extrapolation. See ASTM F2263
Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Polyethylene (PE) Pipe to Chlorinated Water for brittle failure definition and fig 1 for
a pictorial lifetime representation.
5.4 Rework Material—Clean polyethylene compound from the manufacturer’s own tubing production that met 5.1 through 5.2 as
new PE compound is suitable for re-extrusion into tubing when blended with new PE compound having the same material
designation and oxidative resistance classification. Tubing containing rework material shall meet all the requirements of this
specification.
6. Requirements
6.1 Workmanship—The tubing shall be homogeneous throughout and free from visible cracks, holes, foreign inclusions, or other
defects. The tubing shall be as uniform as commercially practicable in color, opacity, density, and other physical properties. See
5.1.2.
6.2 Dimensions and Tolerances:
6.2.1 Outside Diameters—The outside diameters and tolerances shall be as shown in Table 2 when measured in accordance with
7.4.
6.2.1.1 Pipe for potable water service containing oxidizing disinfectants or that require an oxidative resistance classification as
outlined in 5.3 Oxidative Resistance shall be pipe size ⁄4 or greater in accordance with Table 2 in order to meet the expected service
life of the pipe in these specific conditions (see Note 45).
6.2.1.2 Out-of-roundness—Out of roundness shall be in accordance with Table 2 as extruded, but before coiling for packaging
when measured in accordance with 7.4.
NOTE 7—Coiling may increase out-of-roundness, depending on the coiling method and coil dimensions.
6.2.2 Wall Thicknesses—The wall thicknesses and tolerance shall be as shown in Table 3 when measured in accordance with 7.4.
Wall thickness shall be inclusive of all extruded concentric layers.
TABLE 2 Outside Diameters and Tolerances for PE Plastic Tubing
Outside
Tubing
Diameter,
Outside Diameter Out-of-Roundness,
Size
in. (mm)
Tolerance, in. (mm) in. (mm)
⁄2 0.625 (15.87 ±0.004 (±0.10) 0.030 (0.76)
⁄8 0.750 (19.05) ±0.004 (±0.10) 0.030 (0.76)
⁄4 0.875 (22.23) ±0.004 (±0.10) 0.030 (0.76)
1 1.125 (28.58) ±0.005 (±0.13) 0.030 (0.76)
1 ⁄4 1.375 (34.93) ±0.005 (±0.13) 0.030 (0.76)
1 ⁄2 1.625 (41.23) ±0.006 (±0.15) 0.030 (0.76)
2 2.125 (53.98) ±0.006 (±0.15) 0.030 (0.76)
D2737 − 22
TABLE 3 Wall Thickness and Tolerances for PE Plastic Tubing
A
Wall Thickness, in.
SDR 7.3 SDR 9 SDR 11
in. (mm) in. (mm) in. (mm)
Tubing Size, in. Minimum Tolerance Minimum Tolerance Minimum Tolerance Minimum Tolerance Minimum Tolerance Minimum Tolerance
⁄2 0.086 +0.010 (2.18) (0.25) 0.069 +0.010 (1.75) (0.25) 0.062 +0.010 (1.57) (0.25)
⁄8 0.103 +0.010 (2.62) (0.25) 0.083 +0.010 (2.11) (0.25) 0.068 +0.010 (1.73) (0.25)
⁄4 0.120 +0.012 (3.05) (0.30) 0.097 +0.010 (2.46) (0.25) 0.080 +0.010 (2.03) (0.25)
1 0.154 +0.015 (3.91) (0.38) 0.125 +0.012 (3.18) (0.30) 0.102 +0.010 (2.59) (0.25)
1 ⁄4 0.188 +0.019 (4.78) (0.48) 0.153 +0.015 (3.89) (0.38) 0.125 +0.012 (3.18) (0.30)
1 ⁄2 0.233 +0.022 (5.92) (0.56) 0.181 +0.018 (4.60) (0.46) 0.148 +0.015 (3.76) (0.38)
2 0.291 +0.029 (7.39) (0.74) 0.236 +0.024 (5.99) (0.61) 0.193 +0.019 (4.90) (0.48)
A
The minimum is the lowest wall thickness of the pipe at any cross section. The maximum permitted wall thickness, at any cross section, is the minimum wall thickness
plus the stated tolerance. All tolerances are on the plus side of the minimum requirement. Wall thickness variation shall be in accordance with 6.2.3.
6.2.2.1 Pipe for potable water service containing oxidizing disinfectants or that require an oxidative resistance classification as
outlined in 5.3 Oxidative Resistance shall be SDR 9 or 7 in accordance with Table 3 in order to meet the expected service life of
the pipe in these specific conditions (see Note 4).
6.2.3 Wall Thickness Variation—The wall thickness variation shall not exceed 12 % when measured in accordance with 7.4.
6.2.4 Thickness of Outer Layer—For tubing produced by simultaneous multiple extrusion, the outer concentric layer shall be at
least 0.020 in (0.5 mm) thick.
6.3 Bond—For tubing produced by simultaneous multiple extrusion, the bond between the layers shall be strong and uniform. It
shall not be possible to cleanly separate any two layers with a probe or point of a knife blade at any point.
6.4 Carbon Black—Polyethylene tubing produced using Code C polyethylene compound in accordance with 5.1.1 shall contain
2 to 3% carbon black when tested in accordance with 7.5.
6.5 Burst Pressure—The minimum burst pressure for tubing shall be as given in Table 4, when determined in accordance with 7.6
using a minimum hoop stress of 2520 psi (17.4 MPa
...