Chapter 5 - Design, Production and Testing Standards

Abstract

This chapter discusses the design, production, and testing standards of thermoplastic, thermosetting, or composite pipe systems and vessels. These standards are issued by two main organizations—The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). ASTM has developed and published the most extensive range of standards, testing requirements, and procedures for all forms of plastic materials. Most documents related to standards, testing, or approval of reinforced plastics refer to a wide range of ASTM testing procedures, which are often used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific area, as well as in North and South America. The chapter outlines those standards that are most often specified and used. ASME was founded in 1880, and now it has 36 technical divisions, including aerospace, materials, materials handling, and production engineering. It sets many industrial and manufacturing standards. This organization is of significant importance for both pressurized and nonpressurized composite vessels via their qualification programmers under the headings ASME Code, Section X and ASME RTP-1.