Overview
EN ISO 13262:2017 (ISO 13262:2010) specifies a standardized method to determine the tensile strength of a seam in spirally-formed structured-wall thermoplastics pipes used for non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage. The method is applicable to all such spirally-formed thermoplastics pipes regardless of intended use and is adopted by CEN to support consistent quality control and regulatory compliance across Europe.
Key Topics
- Scope and applicability: Test method applies to spirally-formed structured-wall thermoplastics pipes used for gravity drainage and sewerage.
- Test principle: Rectangular test pieces including the seam are cut perpendicular to the seam and subjected to tensile loading until rupture; maximum force is recorded.
- Apparatus: A tensile testing machine conforming to ISO 5893 (specified rate of grip movement), appropriate grips, force indicator (grade A accuracy), and micrometer for width measurement.
- Specimen preparation:
- At least 15 h after pipe production, divide the pipe circumference into five equal sectors and cut one rectangular test piece from each sector.
- Test pieces shall contain the full wall thickness (construction height). Milling to adjust dimensions is permitted provided no heating or surface damage occurs.
- If multiple seams occur within a specimen length, seams must be symmetrically located.
- Conditioning and temperature:
- Condition specimens at (23 ± 2) °C for not less than 1 h in water or 2 h in air (minimums increase in cases of dispute).
- Test temperature: (23 ± 2) °C.
- Test procedure and results:
- Align specimen axially, set grip rate as specified by the referring standard, and record the maximum force to rupture.
- Repeat until five valid results are obtained (discard slipped specimens).
- Express tensile strength as newtons per 15 mm width.
Applications
This standard provides practical value for:
- Manufacturers performing routine quality control (QC) on spirally-formed thermoplastics pipes.
- Test laboratories validating seam integrity for drainage and sewerage projects.
- Specifiers and clients requiring documented, repeatable test evidence for compliance and product acceptance.
- Regulatory bodies and conformity assessment schemes referencing a harmonized tensile-seam test.
Benefits include reproducible test data, clearer acceptance criteria, and alignment with international test equipment specifications (ISO 5893).
Related Standards
- ISO 5893 - Rubber and plastics test equipment (tensile, flexural and compression types) - specifies machine performance and traverse rates required by EN ISO 13262.
Test reports produced under EN ISO 13262 should include identification of the pipe, conditioning medium and period, number of specimens, grip rate, tensile results (N/15 mm), any anomalies, and test date to ensure traceability and useful records for compliance.
