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BRITISH STANDARD BS 4346-3:1982Incorporating Amendment No. 1

Joints and fittings for use with unplasticized PVC pressure pipes —

Part 3: Specification for solvent cement

UDC 621.643.41.06-987:678.743.22-462:621.643.44:666.968.8

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BS 4346-3:1982

This British Standard, having been prepared under the direction of the Plastics Standards Committee, was published under the authority of the Board of BSI and comes into effect on 31 August 1982

© BSI 03-1999

First published July 1974First revision August 1982

The following BSI references relate to the work on this standard:Committee reference PLM/9Draft for comment 80/53455 DC

ISBN 0 580 12673 0

Cooperating organizations

The Plastics Standards Committee, under whose direction this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the following:

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted with the preparation of this British Standard:

British Plastics Federation* Engineering Equipment Users’ Association*

British Resin Manufacturers’ Association Era Technology Ltd.

Chemical Industries Association Institution of Production Engineers

Department of Industry (Chemicals and Ministry of Defence

Textiles) Plastics and Rubber Institute*

Department of the Environment (PSA)* Post Office

Department of the Environment (Building Royal Institute of British Architects*

Research Establishment) Rubber and Plastics Research Association of

Department of Trade (Metrology, Quality Great Britain

Assurance, Safety and Standards Division) Society of Chemical Industry

Electrical and Electronic Insulation Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

Association (BEAMA) Limited

Electrical Installation Equipment

Manufacturers’ Association (BEAMA)

British Chemical and Dyestuffs Traders’ Institute of Plumbing

Association Institution of Civil Engineers

British Gas Corporation Institution of Municipal Engineers

British Valve Manufacturers’ Association Institution of Public Health Engineers

Ltd. Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists

Copper Tube Fittings Manufacturers’ National Association of Plumbing, Heating

Association and Mechanical Services Contractors

Department of the Environment (Housing and National Water Council

Construction) Oil Companies Materials Association

Electricity Supply Industry in England and Water Companies Association

Wales Water Research Centre

Amendments issued since publication

Amd. No. Date of issue Comments

5338 July 1987 Indicated by a sideline in the margin

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Contents

PageCooperating organizations Inside front coverForeword ii1 Scope 12 References 13 Materials 14 Testing requirements 15 Requirements for physical tests 26 Marking 2Appendix A Method of test for the determination of shear strength 3Appendix B Method of test for the determination of film properties 3Appendix C Method of test for the determination of the long-term hydrostatic pressure requirements 3Appendix D Preparation of test joints 4Figure 1 — Jig arrangement for the shear strength test 5Figure 2 — Solvent cement spreader 6Table 1 — Tests 2Table 2 — Long-term hydrostatic pressure requirements 2Publications referred to Inside back cover

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Foreword

This revision of this Part of this British Standard has been prepared under the direction of the Plastics Standards Committee. When revising this Part consideration has been given to the discussions on solvent cements being held within Technical Committee TC 138 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in which the UK has taken an active part. However, the international standard has not yet been published.This Part was first published in 1974 and specified the requirements for solvent cement for use with joints and fittings for use with unplasticized polyvinyl chloride pressure pipes and gravity sewer pipes.The main changes from the 1974 edition are as follows:

a) the scope has been enlarged to include the suitability of use with non-pressure pipes and gravity sewer pipes;b) the solvent cement shall be thixotropic;c) the requirements for the effects of materials on water quality are included (by Amendment No. 1) in a form to enable solvent cements complying with this British Standard to be acceptable to UK water undertakings; andd) the marking requirements of the containers have been amended.

Part 1 of this standard specifies requirements for injection moulded unplasticized PVC fittings for solvent welding for use with pressure pipes including potable water supply and Part 2 specifies requirements for mechanical joints and fittings principally of unplasticized PVC. No other parts are at present under consideration.

Attention is also drawn to BS 6209 which specifies the requirements of solvent cement for non-pressure thermoplastics pipe systems but which is not suitable for pressure pipes or gravity sewer pipes complying with BS 5481.Reference should be made to CP 312 for further information on the use of thermoplastics pressure pipes.Certification. Attention is drawn to the certification facilities described on the inside back cover of this Part.A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.

Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations.

Summary of pagesThis document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii, pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on the inside front cover.

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1 ScopeThis Part of this British Standard specifies the requirements for solvent cement, supplied in cans or tubes for jointing unplasticized PVC pressure pipes complying with the requirements of BS 3505 and BS 3506, unplasticized PVC fittings complying with the requirements of Part 1 of this standard and unplasticized PVC pipes and fittings complying with the requirements of BS 5481.The solvent cement is also suitable, along with solvent cement complying with the requirements of BS 6209, for jointing products complying with the requirements of BS 4514, BS 4576 and BS 4660.NOTE This Part of this British Standard does not specify the type of can used for solvent cement, but it recommends a colour for the cans.

2 ReferencesThe titles of standards publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.

3 Materials3.1 The solvent cement shall be thixotropic and consist substantially of solvents that will swell unplasticized PVC, polymers and stabilizers.NOTE Fillers may be incorporated.

3.2 The solvent cement shall be capable of application by a brush and shall contain no lumps or foreign matter.3.3 The manufacturer shall indicate by suitable marking [see clause 6 g)] that the solvent cement, in unopened containers, has a shelf life of 12 months when stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and will meet the physical and material requirements of the standard at least to that date.3.4 When used under the conditions for which they are designed, non-metallic materials in contact with or likely to come into contact with potable water shall not constitute a toxic hazard, shall not support microbial growth and shall not give rise to unpleasant taste or odour, cloudiness or discoloration of the water.

Concentrations of substances, chemicals and biological agents leached from materials in contact with potable water, and measurements of the relevant organoleptic/physical parameters shall not exceed the maximum values recommended by the World Health Organization in its publication “Guidelines for drinking water quality Vol. 1 Recommendations” (WHO, Geneva, 1984)1) or as required by the EEC Council Directive of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (Official Journal of the European Communities L229, pp 11–29)1), whichever in each case is the more stringent.NOTE 1 Requirements for the testing of non-metallic materials in these respects are set out in the UK Water Fittings Byelaws Scheme Information and Guidance Note No. 5-01-02, ISSN 0267-0313, obtainable from the Water Research Centre, Water Byelaws Advisory Service, 660 Ajax Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4BG.NOTE 2 Pending the determination of suitable means of characterizing the toxicity of leachates from materials in contact with potable water, materials approved by the Department of the Environment Committee on Chemicals and Materials of Construction for use in Public Water Supply and Swimming Pools are considered free from toxic hazard for the purposes of compliance with this subclause. A list of approved chemicals and materials is available from the Technical Secretary of that committee at the Department of the Environment, Water Division, Romney House, 43 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY.NOTE 3 Products manufactured for installation and use in the United Kingdom which are verified and listed under the UK Water Fittings Byelaws Scheme, administered by the Water Research Centre (address as in note 1), are deemed to satisfy the requirements detailed in this subclause.

4 Testing requirements4.1 Type tests. Type tests, as given in Table 1, are intended to prove the suitability of a formulation and method of manufacture. They shall be applied at least once each year of manufacture, or whenever a change is made to the formulation or method of manufacture.4.2 Batch tests. Batch testing shall be carried out to control the quality of the solvent cement.NOTE A batch is defined as one production lot from a single mix, which may be despatched in a number of smaller cans.

The tests to be carried out on a batch shall be as given in Table 1.

1) Available from HMSO.

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Table 1 — Tests

5 Requirements for physical tests5.1 Shear strength

5.1.1 When tested by the method described in Appendix A, taking measurements at 1 h, 24 h and 366 h after assembly, the individual values of five test pieces at each period shall be not less than 0.6 MPa, 2.0 MPa or 5.0 MPa respectively.5.1.2 When tested by the method described in Appendix A, taking measurements at 24 h after assembly, the shear strength of a test piece from each batch shall not be less than 2.0 MPa.5.1.3 The 95 % lower confidence limit of the latest 25 batch test results, as a maximum, determined by the method described in BS 2846-2, shall be not less than 0.2 MPa below the average 24 h result determined in 5.1.1.

5.2 Film properties

5.2.1 When tested in accordance with the method described in Appendix B the solvent cement shall comply with the following requirements.

a) The film produced shall be even, continuous and free from lumps and foreign matter. Entrapped air shall not constitute failure.b) The film from a) shall be sufficiently flexible to be wrapped around a 25 mm diameter mandrel without developing cracks or splits and shall be not less than 0.2 mm thick at any point.c) The film shall not flow or drip when held in a vertical position for 5 min.

5.3 Long-term hydrostatic pressure. When tested in accordance with the method described in Appendix C the joints shall not leak at each of the set of conditions given in Table 2.For type test purposes, one of four test pieces shall be tested at each of the four test conditions given in Table 2 respectively.

Table 2 — Long-term hydrostatic pressure requirements

6 MarkingEach container of solvent cement shall be clearly labelled with the following information as applicable:

a) the manufacturer’s identification;b) the number of this British Standard, i.e. BS 4346-32);c) the nominal content by mass or volume;d) if a can the batch number from which the can was filled;e) a list of the thermoplastics pipe standards for which the cement is suitable (see clause 1);f) any safety precautions relating to use and storage.g) the month and year in which the batch was manufactured, and a statement to the effect that the solvent cement has a shelf life of 12 months when stored in unopened containers in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The following additional information shall be included in the labelling, if space permits, or in the product literature or on a carton holding containers:

h) directions of use including:1) joint preparation (a recommended procedure is given in Appendix D);2) the instruction “do not decant or dilute”;3) the instruction “the joint shall not be disturbed for at least 10 min after assembly”;

i) the statement “the useful life of the solvent cement can be conserved by replacing the lid or cap, as applicable, immediately after each time of use”.

NOTE It is recommended that containers be coloured blue to assist in identification. Solvent cement is available in containers in a variety of sizes which allow for a range in the number and size of joints being made during a short period.

Test Clauses

Type test Batch test

Shear strength

Film propertiesLong-term hydrostatic pressure

5.1

5.25.3

5.1.25.1.35.2.1 a)—

Temperature Pressure Test period

°C bar h

20 ± 220 ± 260 ± 260 ± 2

47401813.5

251 000

251 000

NOTE 1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 100 kPa.

2) Marking BS 4346-3 on or in relation to a product is a claim by the manufacturer that the product has been manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of such a claim is therefore solely the manufacturer’s responsibility. Enquiries as to the availability of third party certification should be addressed to the appropriate certification body.

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Appendix A Method of test for the determination of shear strengthA.1 ApparatusA.1.1 A tensile testing machine, complying with the requirements of BS 5214-1.A.1.2 A jig, to connect the test assembly to the machine (a suitable arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1).A.2 Test pieces. The test pieces shall be assemblies of a 75 mm length of pipe complying with the requirements of BS 3505, nominal size 1 and of suitable wall thickness to withstand the force applied during the test, and an unplasticized PVC socket with a parallel bore 20 + 5, – 0 mm in length and of a diameter to give a diametral clearance between the socket inside diameter and the mean outside diameter of the pipe of 0.8 + 0, – 0.05 mm.A.3 ProcedureA.3.1 Prepare the number of test pieces, appropriate to the number of tests being carried out, in accordance with the procedure described in Appendix D.A.3.2 Condition the test pieces at 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % r.h. for at least 30 min prior to the test which may be part of the 1 h, 24 h or 336 h between assembly and testing.A.3.3 Place the test piece in the jig, 1 h, 24 h or 336 h after assembly, as appropriate, and apply a force by separation of the jaws at a rate of 5 ± 0.5 mm/min.A.3.4 Note the maximum force required to cause failure.A.4 Calculation. Calculate the shear strength, S, of each test piece from the following equation:

whereF is the force required to cause failure (in MPa),d is the internal diameter of the socket ( in mm),l is the length of the joint (in mm).

A.5 Report. The report shall include the following:a) the batch number and identification of the solvent cement tested;b) the shear strength of the individual tests at either or both periods between assembly and testing;c) the average of the results of the type test;d) the value of the 95 % confidence limits of the batch tests at the date of the test, when appropriate;e) the date of the test.

Appendix B Method of test for the determination of film propertiesNOTE This test is often referred to as the SAFFT test (spread, appearance, flexibility, flow and thickness).

B.1 ApparatusB.1.1 A spreading jig as illustrated in Figure 2 with the spreader blade clearance set at 2.0 + 0.1, – 0 mm.B.1.2 A metal mandrel, 25 mm in diameter.B.2 Test conditions. The test shall be carried out at 23 ± 2 °C.B.3 ProcedureB.3.1 Place the apparatus with the blade preset to the required clearance on a supported horizontal sheet of glass or other material unaffected by the solvent cement.B.3.2 Fill the D-shaped space with the solvent cement under test and firmly slide the apparatus to produce a film at least 100 mm long and leave to dry for 24 h.B.3.3 Repeat the above procedure but use a flat sheet of unplasticized PVC in place of the glass. Immediately after forming the film hold the sheet in a vertical position for 5 min.B.4 EvaluationB.4.1 After 24 h examine the film formed in B.3.2 for continuity and lumps or foreign matter.B.4.2 After 336 h remove the film formed in B.3.2 from the backing sheet and check its thickness. Then wrap it around the mandrel and examine for cracks or splits.B.4.3 After 5 min examine the film formed in B.3.3 for flow or dripping.B.5 Report. The report shall include the following:

a) the batch number and identification of the solvent cement tested;b) a description of the film including the presence, if any, of lumps or foreign matter;c) the amount of flow, as appropriate;d) the presence of cracks or splits and the film thickness, as appropriate;e) the date of the test.

Appendix C Method of test for the determination of the long-term hydrostatic pressure requirementsC.1 ApparatusC.1.1 A water bath or air space, maintained at 20 ± 2 °C or 60 ± 20 °C, as appropriate.C.1.2 A pressure source, to maintain an internal hydrostatic pressure as required ± 2 %.

S FÏ d l--------------=

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C.2 Test piece. The test piece shall be assemblies of a 250 mm length of pipe complying with the requirements of BS 3505, nominal size 1 and of suitable wall thickness to withstand the force applied during the test, and an unplastitized PVC socket with a parallel bore 20 + 5, – 0 mm in length and of a diameter to give a diametral clearance between the socket inside diameter and the mean outside diameter of the pipe of 0.8 + 0, – 0.05 mm.The ends shall be closed with suitable connections to contain the applied pressure.C.3 ProcedureC.3.1 Prepare the solvent cement joint between the pipe and socket by the method described in Appendix D using the solvent cement under test.C.3.2 Close the ends with suitable connections for pressurization and condition the test piece at 23 ± 2 °C for at least 14 days.C.3.3 Fill the test piece with water taking care to expel all air and mount it in the temperature controlled apparatus, at the appropriate temperature for the test being carried out (see Table 2), in a way which will ensure full end thrust is applied when pressurized.C.3.4 Apply the appropriate test pressure to the test piece and maintain for the appropriate test period (see Table 2).C.3.5 Examine the test piece for evidence of leakage at the prepared joint.C.4 Report. The report shall include the following:

a) the batch number and identification of the solvent cement tested;

b) the temperature, pressure and period of test, as appropriate;c) the condition of the test joint after the test;d) the date of the test.

Appendix D Preparation of test jointsThe following recommended procedure is known to be suitable:

a) check that the solvent cement complies with the requirements of clause 3;b) ensure the end of the pipe or fitting to form the spigot is cut at right angles to its axis;c) remove any swarf and other debris from the joining surfaces of the socket and spigot;d) for the tests other than the shear strength test, cut a chamfer of 15° to 20° with a length of 1 mm to 2 mm round the outside of the spigot;e) uniformly roughen the mating surfaces by abrading with clean grade no. 1 emery cloth or grade F2 glass paper complying with the requirements of BS 871;f) clean the mating surfaces with absorbent paper soaked in acetone or cleaning fluid recommended by the solvent cement manufacturer;g) apply one coat of solvent cement evenly to the mating surfaces using a clean brush and stroking the solvent cement along and not round the surfaces;h) immediately push the joint together without twisting until the full length of the socket is reached. Hold for 20 s to 30 s and remove any surplus solvent cement from the mouth of the socket.

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Figure 1 — Jig arrangement for the shear strength test

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Figure 2 — Solvent cement spreader

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Publications referred to

BS 871, Abrasive papers and cloths for general purposes. BS 2846, Guide to statistical interpretation of data. BS 2846-2, Estimation of the mean-confidence interval. BS 3505, Unplasticized PVC pipe for cold water services. BS 3506, Unplasticized PVC pipe for industrial purposes. BS 4346, Joints and fittings for use with unplasticized PVC pressure pipes. BS 4346-1, Injection moulded unplasticized PVC fittings for solvent welding for use with pressure pipes, including potable water supply. BS 4346-2, Mechanical joints and fittings principally of unplasticized PVC3). BS 4514, Unplasticized PVC soil and ventilating pipe, fittings and accessories. BS 4576, Unplasticized PVC rainwater goods. BS 4660, Unplasticized PVC underground drain pipe and fittings. BS 5214, Testing machines for rubbers and plastics. BS 5214-1, Tensile, flexural and compression machines. BS 5481, Specification for unplasticized PVC pipe and fittings for gravity sewers. BS 6209, Solvent cement for non-pressure thermoplastics pipe systems. CP 312, Plastics pipework (thermoplastics materials)3).

3) Referred to in foreword only.

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