What's Plastic Pipe Rapid Crack Propagation Test - S4 Test - to ISO 13477?

What's Pipe Crack Propagation?

The Propagation cracking of plastic pipes refers to the phenomenon where cracks appear on the surface or inside of the pipes due to various reasons during use, and these cracks rapidly propagate along the length direction of the pipes. This phenomenon usually has a serious impact on the structural integrity and safety of pipelines.

Explore the comprehensive crack propagation testing, where we delve into the complexity of state-of-the-art small-scale steady-state testing, commonly referred to as ISO 13477 S4 testing. This method is an important criterion for evaluating resistance to rapid crack propagation, especially in the field of polyethylene (PE) pressure pipelines operating at sub zero temperatures.

The testing program strictly follows the defined standards to control the testing temperature and pressure to reflect real-world conditions. The fluid used in the test reflects the characteristics of the expected application or serves as an equivalent substitute. The internal baffle and external cage play a crucial role in rapidly reducing pressure before slowing down crack propagation, ensuring the controllability of testing conditions. This carefully designed technique achieved steady-state rapid crack propagation (RCP) in short tube specimens, providing a more efficient alternative to full-scale testing. After testing, the inspected pipeline will be carefully examined to determine if cracks have occurred to prevent or propagate. A series of tests conducted at different pressures and constant temperatures enable precise determination of the critical pressure, critical ring stress, and critical temperature of RCP.

Testing machine used: 

UnitedTest UT2039 series Plastic Pipe RCP test, Thermoplastics pipes for rapid crack propagation test machine.

For more information or details, please contact us:

Email: export@unitedtest.com 

whatsapp: +8613911165373