Designation: D 2517 – 00

Standard Specification for

Reinforced Epoxy Resin Gas Pressure Pipe and Fittings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2517; 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.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope Under Constant Internal Pressure4

1.1 This specification covers requirements and methods of D 1599 Test Method for Short-Time Hydraulic Failure Pres-
test for materials, dimensions and tolerances, hydrostatic-burst sure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings4
strength, chemical resistance, and longitudinal tensile proper- D 1898 Practice for Sampling of Plastics5
ties, for reinforced epoxy resin pipe and fittings for use in gas D 2105 Test Method for Longitudinal Tensile Properties of
mains and services for direct burial and insertion applications. “Fiberglass” (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-
The pipe and fittings covered by this specification are intended Resin) Pipe and Tube4
for use in the distribution of natural gas, petroleum fuels D 2143 Test Method for Cyclic Pressure Strength of Rein-
(propane–air and propane–butane vapor mixtures), manufac- forced, Thermosetting Plastic Pipe4
tured and mixed gases where resistance to gas permeation, D 2290 Test Method for Apparent Tensile Strength of Ring
toughness, resistance to corrosion, aging, and deterioration or Tubular Plastics and Reinforced Plastics by Split Disk
from water, gas, and gas additives are required. Methods of Method4
marking are also given. Design considerations are discussed in D 2412 Test Method for Determination of External Loading
Appendix X1. Characteristics of Plastic Pipe by Parallel-Pipe Loading4
1.2 The values in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. D 2924 Test Method for External Pressure Resistance of
1.3 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the “Fiberglass’’ (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting
test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: This Resin) Pipe4
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, D 2992 Practice for Obtaining Hydrostatic or Pressure De-
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user sign Basis for “Fiberglass’’ (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health Thermosetting-Resin) Pipe and Fittings4
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- D 2996 Specification for Filament Wound “Fiberglass’’
tions prior to use. (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Pipe4
D 3567 Practice for Determining Dimensions of “Fiber-
NOTE 1—There is no similar or equivalent ISO standard. glass’’ (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Resin)
1.4 A recommended inplant quality control program is Pipe and Fittings4
given in Appendix X2. D 3839 Practice for Underground Installation of “Fiber-
glass’’ (Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Resin)
2. Referenced Documents Pipe4
2.1 ASTM Standards: D 3892 Practice for Packaging/Packing of Plastics
D 396 Specification for Fuel Oils2 D 5685 Specification for “Fiberglass” (Glass-Fiber-
D 543 Test Method for Resistance of Plastics to Chemical Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin) Pressure Pipe Fittings
Reagents3
D 618 Practice for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical 3. Terminology
Insulating Materials for Testing3 3.1 Definitions:
D 883 Terminology Relating to Plastics4 3.1.1 General—Definitions are in accordance with Termi-
D 1598 Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe nology D 883 or F 412. Abbreviations are in accordance with
Terminology D 1600, unless otherwise indicated. The abbre-
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D20 on viation for fiberglass pipe is RTRP and the abbreviation for
Plastics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D20.23 on Reinforced fiberglass fittings is RTRF.
Plastic Piping Systems. 3.1.2 The gas industry technology used in this specification
Current edition approved July 10, 2000. Published September 2000. Originally
published as D2517 – 66. Last previous edition D2517 – 94.
is in accordance with definitions given in The Department of
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.01.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.01. Subcommittee D 20.23 has
completed work to develop methods which are adapted for RTRP. 4
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.
5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.02.

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

1
 D 2517
Transportation of Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline Minimum 6.2 Pipe Dimensions and Tolerances:
Safety Standards. 6.2.1 Diameters—The outside diameter of the pipe shall be
3.1.3 Standards Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe Ma- in accordance with Table 1 when measured in accordance with
terials Designation Code—The pipe material designation code 8.4.1.
shall consist of the abbreviation RTRP followed by type and 6.2.2 Wall Thickness—The wall thickness of the pipe shall
grade in arabic numerals, class by a capital letter and the long meet the requirements given in Table 1 when measured in
term steady pressure strength by a second capital letter. The accordance with 8.4.1.
fittings material designation shall consist of the abbreviation 6.2.3 Lengths—The pipe shall be in lengths as specified on
RTRF followed by type (method of manufacture), grade the purchase order when measured in accordance with 8.4.1.
(general type of resin), class (configuration of joining system), NOTE 3—Either threaded adaptors or bonded joints are acceptable.
and pressure rating. Jointers of up to 5 % of the shipment are acceptable to meet the length
requirements. No section less than 1.5 m (5 ft) long can be used to make
4. Classification a joint and only one jointer can be used in a length.
4.1 Pipe—The pipe covered in this specification is made by 6.3 Fittings Dimensions and Tolerances— The fittings di-
the filament winding process and is described in Specification mensions shall enable the pipe and fittings to be joined and
D 2996. Requirements of this pipe are based on short-term tests shall be measured in accordance with 8.4.2.
defined in this specification.
4.2 Fittings—This specification covers reinforced epoxy NOTE 4—Subcommittee D 20.23 is working towards development of
dimensional requirements for fittings; however, it will be some time
resin fittings described in specification D 5685 and made of the
before the requirements are available. Therefore, the method of measuring
type of materials covered in Section 5, which are capable of is provided only to have a standard method of measuring fittings
being joined to the pipe and will provide a suitable gas dimensions for inspection purposes.
distribution system.
6.4 Short-Term Rupture Strength (Burst Pressure)—The
5. Materials minimum hoop stress at burst for pipe covered by this
specification shall be as listed in Table 2 when tested in
5.1 The resins and reinforcements used to make pipe shall accordance with 8.5. The minimum burst requirements for
be as specified in 5.1.1. fittings covered by this specification shall be 4.82 MPa (700
5.1.1 This specification covers glass fiber reinforced epoxy psi) internal pressure or 27.5 MPa (4000 psi) hoop tensile
resin pipe and fittings as defined in Specification D 2996— stress, whichever is greater, when tested in accordance with 8.5
RTRP 11 AU and RTRP 11 CU and fittings as defined in at temperatures of 23°C (73.4°F) and 65.6°C (150°F), and
specification D 5685-RTRF 11A1D, RTRF 21A1D, RTRF calculated using the equation listed in Test Method D 1599 for
11F2D and RTRF 21A2D. hoop stress. The calculations shall use the fittings wall thick-
NOTE 2—The particular reinforced thermosetting resin included ini- ness and diameter at a point where the wall thickness is at a
tially in this specification for gas pressure piping was selected on the basis minimum and which is also in the section of the fittings which
of engineering test studies made by Battelle Memorial Institute, experi- is not reinforced by the pipe.
mental use in field installations, and technical data supplied by the
6.5 Crush Strength—The minimum stiffness factor at 5 %
manufacturers of the plastics materials used to make the pipe and fittings.
It is the intent of ASTM Committee D-20 on Plastics to consider for deflection of the pipe shall be as shown in Table 2 when tested
inclusion other resins and reinforcements in this specification when in accordance with Test Method D 2412.
evidence is presented to show that they are suitable for gas service. 6.6 Chemical Resistance—The pipe shall not change more
Minimum requirements are an ASTM pipe specification and long-term than 612 % in apparent tensile strength when measured in
strength determined in accordance with Test Method D 2992, Procedure accordance with 8.7.
B, in addition to the requirements of this specification.
NOTE 5—A suitable chemical resistance test for fittings is not available
6. Requirements at the present time and will be added when available.
6.1 Workmanship—The pipe and fittings shall be free of 6.7 Longitudinal (Tensile Strength)—The minimum longi-
visible cracks, holes, foreign inclusions, blisters, and other tudinal tensile strength for pipe covered by this specification
injurious defects. The pipe and fittings shall be as uniform as shall be as listed in Table 2 when tested in accordance with Test
commercially practicable in color, opacity, density, and other Method D 2105.
physical properties. 6.8 Hydrostatic Collapse—The minimum factor for pipe

TABLE 1 Pipe Dimensions, mm (in.)

Nominal Outside Diameter Tolerance Minimum Wall Thickness

2 60.325 (2.375) +1.524, −0.457 (+0.060, −0.018) 1.524 (0.060)
3 88.900 (3.500) +1.524, −0.457 (+0.060, −0.018) 1.524 (0.060)
4 114.300 (4.500) +1.524, −0.457 (+0.060, −0.018) 1.780 (0.070)
6 168.275 (6.625) +1.678, −0.711 (+0.066, −0.028) 2.540 (0.100)
8 219.075 (8.625) +2.184, −1.016 (+0.086, −0.040) 3.227 (0.125)
10 273.050 (10.750) +2.743, −1.219 (+0.108, −0.048) 3.830 (0.150)
12 323.850 (12.750) +3.251, −1.422 (+0.128, −0.056) 4.215 (0.175)

2
 D 2517
TABLE 2 Minimum Physical Property Requirements for Pipe Method D 543, except use ring specimens cut from pipe for
this purpose:
Test 23°C 65.6°C
Chemical Concentration, %
Physical Property Method (73.4°F) (150°F)
Fuel Oil No. 1 (Specification D 396) 100
Short-term rupture strength (burst) D 1599 35 000 40 000 t-butyl mercaptan 5 in fuel oil
min, hoop stress, psi Antifreeze agents (at least one shall be used):
Static hydrostatic hoop stress 105 h D 2992 15 000 14 000 Methanol 100
(estimated), min, psi Isopropanol 100
Hydrostatic collapse min, psig D 2924 14.7 11.0 Ethylene glycol 100
Longitudinal tensile strength, min, psi D 2105 8 900 8 300
Parallel plate crush strength, min D 2412 45 41
pipe stiffness factor at 5% deflection Cut specimens from the pipe in accordance with 8.6; test five
specimens with each reagent. Coat specimen edges with
adhesive prior to immersion. Completely immerse the speci-
covered by this specification shall be as listed in Table 2 when mens in the chemicals for 72 h. Upon removal from the
tested in accordance with Test Method D 2924. chemicals, wipe the specimens with a clean dry cloth, condi-
7. Adhesive Requirements tion in the testing room for a period not to exceed 2 h, and then
test in tension in accordance with 8.6.
7.1 Adhesives used to join reinforced epoxy resin pipe shall
8.8 Adhesive Test—The ultimate shear strength for adhe-
be suitable for use with the pipe and fittings and meet the
sives used to bond pipe and fittings together shall be deter-
requirements listed in 7.2 and 7.3.
mined in accordance with the following procedure; it is
NOTE 6—It is recommended that the working (pot) life of the adhesive applicable to all adhesives covered by this specification.
be agreed upon between the purchaser and the manufacturer. 8.8.1 Principle—Laboratory shear specimens are made by
7.2 Adhesive Test—All adhesives covered by this specifica- bonding together two 3 by 13 by 75-mm (1⁄8 by 1⁄2 by 3-in.),
tion shall have a minimum ultimate shear strength of 10.3 MPa reinforced thermosetting plastic laminates using the supplied
(1500 psi) when tested in accordance with 8.8. adhesive kits. This specimen is then cured in accordance with
7.3 Packaging—Each adhesive kit shall contain the neces- instructions supplied with the adhesive. After curing, the
sary components and instruction sheets, which shall include specimen is pulled apart in a universal testing machine.
cure times and pot life. 8.8.2 Test Specimen—The test specimen shall be made
using longitudinally reinforced epoxy resin laminates that are
8. Test Methods made of the same materials as the pipe with dimensions of 5 by
8.1 Sampling—Take a sample of the pipe and fittings 13 by 75 mm (1⁄8 by 1⁄2 by 3 in.). Each specimen shall have a
sufficient to determine conformance with this specification. bonding surface on one end made by milling off 5 mils of the
About 15 m (50 ft) of pipe or tubing are required to make the surface for a length of 2 mm (3⁄4 in.). Test a minimum of five
tests prescribed. The number of fittings required varies, de- test specimens.
pending upon the size and type of fitting. It is suggested that a 8.8.3 Procedure:
sampling plan be agreed upon by the purchaser and the 8.8.3.1 Clean the milled surfaces of two 75-mm (3-in.) long
manufacturer (see Practice D 1898). laminates using solvent supplied with adhesive.
8.2 Conditioning—Unless otherwise specified, condition 8.8.3.2 Mix the adhesive components in accordance with
the specimens prior to test at 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F) and 50 instructions supplied with the adhesives.
6 5 % relative humidity for not less than 48 h, in accordance 8.8.3.3 Wet the cleaned surface of the laminates with the
with Procedure A of Practice D 618 for those tests where mixed adhesive.
conditioning is required and in all cases of disagreement.
8.8.3.4 Press the adhesive-coated areas of the laminates
8.3 Test Conditions—Conduct the tests in the Standard
together, maintaining alignment of edges and clamp so that the
Laboratory Atmosphere of 23 6 2°C (73.4 6 3.6°F), unless
specimen is held together using uniform pressure. Pressure
otherwise specified.
used shall be sufficient to yield specimens with adhesive line
8.4 Dimensions and Tolerances:
thicknesses that do not exceed 0.9 mm (1⁄32 in.).
8.4.1 Wall Thickness and Diameter—Determine in accor-
8.8.3.5 Note the time when assembly is completed.
dance with Practice D 3567.
8.4.2 Liner Thickness—When the test specimens contain a 8.8.3.6 Check the temperature in the room and determine
liner, determine the average liner thickness in accordance with the cure time from instructions supplied with the adhesive.
Practice D 3567. 8.8.3.7 When the required amount of time has elapsed,
8.5 Short-Term Hydrostatic Failure Strength (Minimum remove the specimen from the clamping fixture, and place it in
Hoop Stress)—Determine in accordance with Test Method grips of the universal testing machine. Good alignment in the
D 1599. Fittings shall be tested with pipe nipples bonded in the grips is essential. Set speed control at 5.1 to 6.4 mm (0.20 to
sockets. 0.25 in.)/min and start the testing machine. Record the break-
8.6 Apparent Tensile Properties—The apparent tensile ing load.
strength shall be determined in accordance with Procedure B of 8.8.4 Calculation—Calculate the ultimate shear strength of
Test Method D 2290. the adhesive using the following equation and report to three
8.7 Chemical Resistance—Determine the resistance to the significant figures:
following chemicals in accordance with Procedure II of Test s 5 P/A (1)

3
 D 2517

where: size, and the standard reinforced plastic pipe identification at

each end of the pipe. In addition to the above, the pipe shall
s = ultimate shear stress, MPa (or psi), bear an appropriate code number which will ensure identifica-
P = ultimate load, N (or lbf), and tion of the pipe as to the month and year of production and raw
A = bond area, mm2(or in. 2). materials used in the production of said pipe. The manufacturer
shall maintain such additional records as are necessary to
For each series of tests, calculate the arithmetic mean of all confirm identification of all coded pipe. Marking shall include
values obtained to three significant figures and report as the the designation ASTM D 2517.
“average value.” Calculate the standard deviation as follows 9.2 Fittings—All fittings shall be marked on the body or
and report to two significant figures: hub. The marking shall consist at least of the manufacturer’s
name or trademark, or both, and the symbol for the type of
s 5 @~ (X 2 2 nX̄ 2 !/~n 5 1!#|n$ (2)
material and size. Marking shall include the designation ASTM
where: D 2517.
s = estimated standard deviation, 9.3 Adhesives—All adhesive containers shall be marked on
X = value of a single observation, the container. The marking shall consist of the manufacturer’s
n = number of observations, and name or trademark, or both, manufacturing date, shelf life, and
X̄ = arithmetical average of the set of observations. storage requirements.
9.4 All packing, packaging, and marking provisions of
Practice D 3892 shall apply to this specification.
9. Packaging and Marking
9.1 Pipe—All required marking shall be legible and so 10. Keywords
applied without indentation as to remain legible under normal 10.1 filament wound; compression molded; configuration of
handling and installation practices. These markings shall con- joining system; rapture srength; crush strength; chemical
sist of the manufacturer’s name or trademark, the nominal pipe resistance; apparent tensile properties; adhesive

APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. DESIGN

X1.1 General the class of location as described in Chapter IV of the ASME

X1.1.1 The design of a plastic piping system for gas must Code for Pressure Piping B 31, ASME B 31.8, Gas Transmis-
include consideration of the effect of the environment while sion and Distribution Piping System and The Department of
under stress, as well as internal and external loads. The Transportation Minimum Federal Safety Standards for Gas
combined effects of time, stress, and environment must be Lines (Part 192 Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations).
investigated as an overall basis for selecting a specific kind and
size of plastic pipe. The selection of design stresses for RTRP X1.3 External Loads
is the prerogative of the Department of Transportation (DOT) X1.3.1 It is recognized that certain minimum requirements
Office of Pipeline Safety. The AGA Plastic Pipe Committee and exist for the support of earth loads from backfill and other
members of Committee D-20 are cooperating with DOT to external forces. Proper installation techniques can be used with
provide assistance in selecting safe design stress levels for the
flexible conduit (as defined by Marston and Spangler)6 to
various kinds of plastic pipe.
support relatively large earth loads without excessive deflec-
X1.2 Internal Pressure tion by mobilizing lateral passive soil forces. Proper installa-
tion technique ensures that the necessary passive soil pressure
X1.2.1 The design stresses for natural gas are based on the
at the sides of the pipe will be developed and maintained. It is
100 000-h hydrostatic strength of the pipe of 75°F obtained in
accordance with Procedure B of Practice D 2992. The also recognized that the internal pressures may be valuable in
100 000-h strengths of the plastics included in the applicable minimizing the deflection caused by earth loads. However, the
ASTM specifications are as follows: magnitude of this latter effect is somewhat subjective, and
therefore installation procedures defined in Test Method
Long-Term (100 000-h)
Plastic Pipe Material Designation Strength at 23°C (73°F) D 3839 are recommended instead of more specific information.
RTRP (glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin pipe) 15 000 psi

Strengths for other RTRP materials will be added when these

materials are included in the applicable ASTM specifications. 6
Spangler, M. G., “Secondary Stresses in Buried High Pressure Lines,” The
The design stresses are obtained by multiplying the 100 000-h Iowa State College Bulletin, Engineering Report 23 of the Iowa Engineering
strength by design factors or service factors in accordance with Experiment Station, 1954–1955.

4
 D 2517

X2. RECOMMENDED IN-PLANT QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM FOR REINFORCED EPOXY RESIN PIPE INTENDED
FOR USE IN NATURAL GAS SERVICE

X2.1 Introduction TABLE X2.1 Pipe Tests

X2.1.1 The following in-plant quality control program cov-

Property Test Method Test Frequency
ering material, performance requirements, and marking shall
Visual ... all
be used in manufacture to provide reasonable assurance that Dimensions:
the RTRP pipe and fittings for use with the type of RTRP Diameter D 3567 900 m (3000 ft) or once/3h
supplied under this code meets the requirements of the appli- Wall thickness D 3567 1500 m (5000 ft) or once/lotA
Mechanical properties:
cable standard. The pipe and fittings producers shall maintain Burst pressure D 1599 5000 ft
records on all aspects of this program and supply these to the Short-term static (20 D 1598 (D 2143) 24 h
purchaser, if requested. h) or cyclicB
A
Whichever is most frequent.
X2.2 Material B
A cyclic pressure test made in accordance with the procedure in Test Method
D 2143 may be substituted for the static test requirements if it has been
X2.2.1 The pipe and fittings manufacturer shall use only demonstrated that the results of the two methods are equivalent.
those raw materials that are allowed by the applicable standard
and shall so certify.
manufacturer, but in case of question, those given in the
X2.3 Pipe Tests applicable ASTM standard shall be used.
X2.3.1 Product Quality Control (See Note X2.1)—The tests
in Table X2.1 shall be made per size per processing unit at the X2.5 Records
denoted frequencies and the test results recorded and filed for X2.5.1 A code number shall be included in the marking on
inspection, upon request. the pipe. If required, on the directional fittings, the code
NOTE X2.1—When the pipe fails to meet the specification (or standard)
number may be used to identify in the records the following:
requirement in any test, additional tests shall be made on the pipe X2.5.2 The compound,
produced back to the previous acceptable results to select the pipe X2.5.3 The date of manufacture,
produced in the interim that does pass the requirement. Pipe that does not
meet the requirement shall be rejected.
X2.5.4 The shift,
X2.5.5 The test results required in this in-plant quality
X2.4 Test Methods control program, and
X2.4.1 The test methods may be those generally used by the X2.5.6 The manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

(1) Added fitting specification (2) Expanded materials section to cover fittings.

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