Designation: F 1734 – 96
Standard Practice for
Qualification of a Combination of Squeeze Tool, Pipe, and
Squeeze-Off Procedures to Avoid Long-Term Damage in
Polyethylene (PE) Gas Pipe1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1734; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the qualification of a squeeze
process consisting of a combination of a squeeze tool, pipe, and
squeeze-off procedures to avoid long-term damage in polyeth-
ylene gas pipe. This practice examines the inside and outside
surfaces of the pipe near the squeeze to determine the existence
of features indicative of long-term cracking. The occurrence of
these features depends on the squeeze tool design, the pipe
being squeezed, and the squeeze procedures being used. This
practice is particularly appropriate for pre-1975 Polyethylene
(PE) pipe, and for pipe with diameter greater than or equal to
8 in., because of the greater possibility of long-term damage.
1.2 After the visual screening identifies a viable squeeze
process, a sustained pressure test in accordance with Specifi-
cation D 2513 should be used to confirm the viability.
1.3 This practice is for use by squeeze-tool manufacturers
and gas utilities for all squeeze tools made in accordance with
Specification F 1563; pipe manufactured in accordance with
Specification D 2513, up to and including pipe diameters of 12
in.; and squeeze procedures in accordance with Guide F 1041.
1.4 Governing codes and project specifications should be
consulted. Nothing in this practice should be construed as
recommending practices or systems at variance with governing
codes and project specifications.
1.5 Where applicable in this guide, “pipe” shall mean “pipe
and tubing.”
1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 2513 Specification for Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe,
Tubing, and Fittings2
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-17 on Plastic
Piping Systems and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F17.60 on Gas.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1996. Published November 1996.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.04.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
An American National Standard
D 3350 Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and
Fittings Materials2
F 1041 Guide for Squeeze-Off of Polyolefin Gas Pressure
Pipe and Fittings2
F 1563 Specification for Tools to Squeeze-Off Polyethylene
(PE) Gas Pipe or Tubing2
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 squeeze-off,, n—a technique to control the flow of gas
in a pipe by compressing the pipe with a mechanical or
hydraulic device.
3.1.2 squeeze process,, n—the combination of the squeeze
tool, the pipe being squeezed, and the squeeze procedures
being used.
3.1.3 wall compression (WC),, n—a measure of the extent to
which the pipe is squeezed. (See Fig. 1.) It is defined as
S
L
D
WC, % 5 1 2 2t [m|]P5 100 (1)
where:
L = distance between the squeeze bars as shown in Fig. 1,
and
t = average pipe wall thickness, expressed in the same
units as L.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Pipe of the size and material of interest is cut into
samples at least 1 ft long or 5 diameters long, whichever is
greater. The samples are squeezed in the tool of interest, using
the procedure of interest, until the desired level of flow control
is achieved. Let this level of wall compression be called Smin.
Then, four other samples are squeezed to obtain squeeze levels
of (Smin−5) %, (Smin+5) %, (Smin+10) %, and (Smin+15) %.
This squeeze range brackets unacceptable through acceptable
levels of wall compression for flow control, with the
(Smin+15) % value selected to allow an adequate operational
range.
4.2 The squeezed samples are split along their length at 90
degrees to the squeeze “ears.” The area containing the ears is
inspected visually. Features such as crazing, small voids, or
cracks indicate potential permanent damage for that combina-
tion of pipe, tool, and squeeze procedure.
 F 1734
FIG. 1 Definition of Wall Compression
4.3 The results of the visual screening are verified by
performing a Sustained Pressure Test in accordance with
Specification D 2513.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Squeeze-off is widely used to control the flow of gas in
PE pipe. Squeeze tools vary depending on the size of the pipe
and the source of the tool.
5.2 Experience indicates that some combinations of resin
type, resin supplier, extruder, vintage, percent squeezed, and
tool can cause damage leading to failure.
5.3 Studies of pipe extruded in the late 1980s and thereafter
show that damage does not develop for wall compression less
than 30 %, for temperatures above 50°F, and squeeze and
release rates typical of field conditions for screw-driven tools.3
With modern tools, flow control at typical service pressures is
achieved at squeeze levels between 10 and 20 % for pipe
diameters less than 6 in.3 ,4 Because damage does not develop
in these materials at such squeeze levels, the cited references
validate that current practice is effective for modern tools and
materials for the smaller pipe sizes.3,4
5.4 For pipe extruded before 1975, and for pipe diameters
greater than or equal to 8 in., a method is needed to qualify the
combination of squeeze tool, pipe size and material, and
squeeze procedure to ensure the absence of long-term damage.
3
Stephens, D. R., Leis, B. N., Francini, R. B., and Cassady, M. J., Volume 1:
Users’ Guide on Squeeze-Off of Polyethylene Gas Pipes, Topical Report GRI-92/
0147.1, NTIS PB93-161032, Battelle Columbus for Gas Research Institute, Febru-
ary 1992.
4
Stephens, D. R., Leis, B. N., Francini, R. B., and Cassady, M. J., Volume 2:
Technical Reference on Squeeze-Off of Polyethylene Gas Pipes, Topical Report
GRI-92/0147.2, NTIS PB93-161040, Battelle Columbus for Gas Research Institute,
October 1992.
2
6. Interpretation of Results
6.1 This practice relies on a screening process using visual
inspection followed by selected testing using the sustained
pressure test as described in Specification D 2513 to qualify a
squeeze-off process.
6.2 The area of wrinkling at the ears on the inside diameter
(ID) is inspected for void formation and cracks. Visible void
formation or cracks or extensive localized stress whitening, or
combination thereof, disqualifies that procedure.
6.3 Unacceptable features implying long-term damage are
shown in the photographs available as an adjunct.5
7. Apparatus
7.1 Squeeze-off Tools, to be covered by the qualified proce-
dure.
7.2 Pipe Cutters and Saws, capable of cutting PE.
7.3 Jeweler’s Loupe or (Stereo) Optical Microscope, pro-
viding at least ;103 magnification.
7.4 Vernier Caliper or Ball-End Micrometer, with a least
count of 0.001 in. or better.
7.5 Stopwatch, that reads seconds or better.
8. Materials
8.1 There are no special materials needed.
9. Safety Precautions
9.1 The usual care should be taken in working with the
hydraulic jacks and power tools that may be needed to cut or
squeeze larger diameter and higher SDR pipes.
10. Preparation of the Sample and Equipment
10.1 Acquire randomly selected pipe samples at least 5 pipe
diameters long but not less than 1 ft long.
10.2 Measure the wall thickness around the circumference
at 15° increments, and identify the location of maximum wall
thickness.
10.3 Condition the sample to the temperature of interest.
Studies at very low temperatures or on thicker-walled pipe may
require significant hold times to reach thermal equilibrium.
Experience with smaller-diameter, lower SDR pipe (for ex-
ample, 2 to 6-in. SDR 11 pipe) indicates that a minimum of 24
h is required for the sample to reach equilibrium.
11. Procedure
11.1 Place the sample in the squeeze tool so that the thickest
portion of the pipe forms one of the squeeze-off ears. Locate
the sample such that the midpoint of its length is between the
squeeze-off bars. Also, center the sample squarely in the
squeeze-off tool.
11.2 The squeeze bar shims or stops, or both, must be within
1 % of the target level.
11.3 Operate the tool at the specified rate, closing the bars to
the “stops,” and hold for 30 min. In order to induce damage
beyond that observed in typical practice, add a shim to one of
the squeeze bars or use a smaller stop.
11.4 Release the sample at the designated rate of release.
5
Available from ASTM Headquarters. Order Adjunct:ADJF1734.
 F 1734
11.5 If re-rounding is included in the squeeze-off procedure
being considered, re-round the sample as directed.
11.6 Allow the sample to sit without external force at the
chosen temperature for 24 h.
11.7 Cut a ring containing the squeeze location (the ears)
from the sample at least 2 diameters long. Then, saw-cut this
ring along its length at 90° to the squeeze-ears.
11.8 With the unaided eye, visually inspect the interior of
each sample for stress whitening, crazing, or cracking. Like-
wise, inspect the exterior of the sample for evidence of a
dimple centered in the ear. The photographs available as an
adjunct5 provide assistance in the interpretation of such fea-
tures.
11.9 Wrinkling of the interior of the squeeze-off ear is
expected to occur. Some stress whitening along the ridges and
in the valleys of wrinkles is also expected to occur. Stress
whitening should be limited to these ridges and valleys in the
region where wall thinning occurs in response to the squeeze
process. The stress whitening should be diffuse in appearance
rather than an intense white band.
11.10 Cracking or voids on the inside or a dimple on the
outside disqualify the squeeze-off process.
11.11 A dimple on the outside of the pipe, or stress
whitening strung out along a severe wrinkle on the inside of the
pipe, at squeeze levels equal to or less than that needed for flow
control, disqualify the process. Thus, if none of the features
indicative of long-term damage are seen at squeeze levels
adequate to control the flow, that combination of squeeze
procedure, squeeze tool, and pipe is acceptable. If such features
are seen at a squeeze level 5 % greater than that needed for
flow control, modifications to the squeeze process (such as
alternative bar designs) should be considered, because a 5 %
squeeze range may not be an adequate margin in field practice.
11.12 For samples passing the unaided-eye evaluation, the
inside should be inspected at ;103 magnification. Cracking or
voids disqualify that combination of pipe, tool, and procedure.
11.13 For inspections at ;103, stress whitening strung out
along a wrinkle again is evidence of damage that can grow with
time. Judgment, depending on the severity of the features, the
service conditions, and the utility’s service record for that pipe,
can disqualify the squeeze procedure if such features are found.
11.14 General widespread evidence of changes in color,
such as intense stress whitening or crazing, is evidence of
damage and indicative of possible subsurface damage. Judg-
ment based on experience related to the service record of the
pipe involved should be considered in qualifying procedures
that produce such features. Examination of cross sections
prepared on a cut through the ear can be used to determine if
subsurface damage has occurred in such cases. Indications of
small voids in these sections is the basis to disqualify that
squeeze-off process.
11.15 If the process is not disqualified by the foregoing
examination, samples of squeezed pipe are subjected to a
sustained pressure test as described in Specification D 2513.
12. Report
12.1 Report the pipe resin type in accordance with Specifi-
cation D 3350, the resin supplier, the pipe extruder, the
squeeze-off tool and bars (bar type (flat, round), bar size
(length of flat and transition radius and diameter), number of
bars, and so forth), the maximum pipe diameter, range of
temperature (minimum and maximum), maximum rate of
compression and release, and whether or not re-round was
performed.
12.2 Include a summary of the test procedures and condi-
tions. Also include test results, sketches, photographs, or other
evidence of stress whitening, crazing, and cracking that led to
qualification or rejection.
12.3 Report the sustained pressure test in accordance with
Specification D 2513.
13. Precision and Bias
13.1 No information is presented about either the precision
or bias because this practice results in a pass/fail assessment,
which means that the result is nonquantitative.
14. Keywords
14.1 damage; gas flow; pipe; polyethylene; squeeze;
squeeze-off; tubing

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