Information on the most widely used ASTM standards within the materials testing industry
ASTM D1599 is a standard test method for determining the short-time hydraulic burst pressure of plastic pipes, tubing, and fittings, typically completed within 60–70 seconds, mainly for quality control and short-term design validation.
ASTM D1599 Test Principle:
The test is based on the short-term hydrostatic burst theory, where a rapid, uniform pressure ramp simulates extreme short-term loading conditions. By controlling the pressure increase rate to achieve rupture within 60–70 s, the test isolates the material’s short-term strength and manufacturing quality, avoiding creep effects that dominate long-term tests like ASTM D1598. Failure modes include rupture, seepage, or ballooning, which help identify material or production flaws.
Test Methods:
| Procedure | Purpose | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| A | Determine the burst pressure and failure mode | Pressure increases uniformly until rupture, with failure time between 60–70 s; if <60 s, reduce loading rate and retest |
| B | Verify compliance with a minimum burst pressure requirement | Pressure ramps to reach/exceed the minimum burst pressure within 60–70 s; no rupture at the specified pressure indicates a pass |
Test Procedures:
The step-by-step workflow ensures repeatability and accuracy:
Specimen Preparation: Cut to required length, deburr, inspect for defects.
Conditioning: Place in a temperature-controlled bath for ≥1 h (liquid) or ≥16 h (gas) to reach the test temperature.
Deaeration & Filling: Fill the specimen with deaerated water; purge air to avoid trapped gas.
Sealing: Attach end closures without stress concentrations.
Pressure Ramp: Increase pressure uniformly (1–2 MPa/s) until failure (Procedure A) or until the minimum burst pressure is reached (Procedure B).
Data Recording: Document burst pressure, time-to-failure, and failure mode.
Result Validation: Ensure failure time is 60–70 s; repeat if outside this range.
| Feature | ASTM D1599 (Short-Time) | ASTM D1598 (Long-Term) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Measure ultimate burst strength. | Measure time to failure under constant pressure. |
| Test Type | Constant rate of pressure increase. | Constant internal pressure held. |
| Duration | Seconds to minutes. | Hours to years (10,000+ hrs). |
| Primary Output | Failure Pressure (psi, kPa). | Time-to-Failure at a given stress. |
| Main Use | Quality Control, lot acceptance. | Long-term rating, HDB determination. |
| Analogy | A sprint - testing maximum speed. | A marathon - testing endurance over time. |
Related products and device
Related Standard
ASTM D1598: Standard Test Method for Time-to-Failure of Plastic Pipe Under Constant Internal Pressure.
ASTM D1598 test method covers the determination of the time-to-failure of both thermoplastic and reinforced thermosetting/resin pipe under constant internal pressure.This test method provides a method of characterizing plastics in the form of pipe under the conditions prescribed.
ASTM D1599: Standard Test Method for Resistance to Short-Time Hydraulic Pressure of Plastic Pipe, Tubing, and Fittings.
ASTM D1599 test method establishes the short-time hydraulic failure pressure of thermoplastic or reinforced thermosetting resin pipe, tubing, or fittings. Data obtained by this test method are of use only in predicting the behavior of pipe, tubing, and fittings under conditions of temperature, time, method of loading, and hoop stress similar to those used in the actual test. They are generally not indicative of the long-term strength of thermoplastic or reinforced thermosetting resin pipe, tubing, and fittings
ASTM D1598 is a standard test method that determines the time-to-failure of thermoplastic and reinforced thermosetting/resin pipes under constant internal pressure at a controlled temperature, which is critical for establishing hydrostatic design basis and ensuring long-term pipeline reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ASTM D1599 - Short-Time Hydraulic Pressure Test
Q1: How is ASTM D1599 different from ASTM D1598? Aren't they both pressure tests?
A: This is the most crucial distinction. They are fundamentally different:
ASTM D1599 (Short-Time): A "sprint." Pressure is increased rapidly until the pipe bursts, typically in 60-70 seconds. The result is a burst pressure (e.g., 800 psi). It measures ultimate strength.
ASTM D1598 (Long-Term): A "marathon." A constant, lower pressure is applied and held for hundreds or thousands of hours until failure. The result is a time-to-failure. It measures endurance and creep resistance.
They test different material properties and are used for completely different purposes.
Q2: Why is a short-term burst test important if pipes are designed for 50-year life?
A: While long-term strength (from D1598) governs design, the short-term burst test (D1599) is vital for:
Quality Assurance: It catches major manufacturing defects (e.g., thin walls, poor fusion, material contamination) instantly.
Safety Margin: It verifies the inherent, immediate strength of the pipe, ensuring it can handle surge pressures, water hammer, and installation stresses that far exceed the steady operating pressure.
Installation Confidence: It assures contractors that the pipe won't fail during pressure testing of the newly installed system.
Q3: Can ASTM D1599 be used on pipe fittings?
A: Yes, absolutely. This is one of its key strengths. The standard explicitly includes procedures for testing full fittings (tees, elbows, couplings). The fitting is assembled with pipe segments, pressurized, and its failure pressure is recorded. This tests the integrity of the fitting itself and its joint.
Q4: What is a typical failure mode in this test?
A: For quality pipe, failure is usually a rapid, ductile burst—a longitudinal split or a "blow-out." The location of the failure can be informative:
Random location: Indicates consistent material and manufacturing.
Always at a fitting/joint: Indicates a joint design or assembly issue.
At a visible defect (scratch, inclusion): Indicates a handling or material quality problem.
Q5: Why is the test duration strictly limited to 60–70 seconds?
A: The 60–70 second window is critical to eliminate the influence of creep deformation (a slow material failure mode under long-term stress). By controlling the pressure ramp rate to achieve rupture within this narrow time frame, the test isolates the pipe’s short-term tensile strength and manufacturing defects—rather than long-term material degradation. If failure occurs outside 60–70 seconds, the loading rate must be adjusted and the test repeated to ensure valid results.
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