M 252 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

Standard Specification for

Corrugated Polyethylene Drainage Tubing

AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 252-94

1. SCOPE 3. TERMINOLOGY NOTE 2-Type C and CP tubing less than 203

mm (8 inches) in diameter may be supplied
coiled. Coiling of Type C and CP tubing 203
1.1 This specification covers the re- 3.1 The terminology used in this standard mm (8 inches) in diameter or greater is not
quirements and methods of test for corru- is in accordance with the definitions recommended. Type S and SP tubing is not
gated polyethylene (PE) tubing, cou- given in ASTM D 883 and ASTM F 412 supplied in coils.
plings and fittings for use in subsurface unless otherwise specified.
drainage systems, storm sewers, and in 5.1.4 Number of couplings,
3.2 Crack-Any break or split that extends
surface drainage (culverts), where soil through the wall. 5.1.5 For Type SP tubing, class of
support is given to the tubing's flexible perforations (Class 2 is furnished if not
walls in all applications. 3.3 Crease-An irrecoverable indentation; specified) (see Section 7.4), and
generally associated with wall buckling.
1.1.1 Nominal sizes of 76 to 254 mm 5.1.6 Certification, if desired (see
(3 to 10 inches) are included. 3.4 Reworked Material-As defined for Section 12.1).
"reworked plastic (thermoplastic)" in
1.1.2 Materials, dimensions, pipe ASTM D 883.
stiffness, elongation resistance, environ- 6. MATERIALS
mental stress-crack resistance, perfora-
tions, joining systems and forms of mark- 4. CLASSIFICATION
ing are specified. 6.1 Basic Materials-Pipe and fittings
shall be made of virgin PE compounds
NOTE 1-When polyethylene tubing is to be 4.1 The corrugated Polyethylene Tubing which conform with the requirements of
used in locations where the ends may be covered by this specification is classified cell class 324420C as defined and de-
exposed, consideration should be given to as follows:
combustibility of the polyethylene and the scribed in ASTM D 3350, except that the
deteriorating effects of prolonged exposure to 4.1.1 Type C -This tubing shall have a carbon black content shall not exceed 5
ultraviolet radiation. full circular cross-section, with a corru- percent. Compounds that have higher cell
gated surface both inside and outside. classifications in one or more properties
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be Corrugations may be either annular or are acceptable provided product require-
regarded as the standard. helical. ments are met.
4.1.2 Type S-This tubing shall have a 6.2 Reworked Material-In lieu of virgin
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS full circular cross-section, with an outer PE, clean reworked material generated by
corrugated tubing wall and a smooth that plant's own production may be used
inner liner. Corrugations may be either by the manufacturer, provided that it
2.1 ASTM Standards: annular or helical. Type S tubing is not meets the cell class requirements as
D 618 Method for Conditioning available in nominal sizes of less than described in Section 6.1.
Plastics and Electrical Insu- 102 mm (4 inches).
lating Materials for Testing 4.1.3 Type CP-This tubing shall be 7. REQUIREMENTS
D 883 Definition of Terms Relating Type C with Class 2 perforations.
to Plastics 4.1.4 Type SP-This tubing shall be
D 3350 Standard Specification for Type S with either Class 1 or Class 2 7.1 Workmanship-The tubing and fittings
Polyethylene Plastics Pipe perforations. shall be free of foreign inclusions and
and Fittings Materials visible defects as defined herein. The
4.2 Class 1 and Class 2 perforations are ends of the tubing shall be cut squarely
D 1693 Test Method for Environ- as described in Sections 7.4.1 and 7.4.2. and cleanly so as not to adversely affect
mental Stress Cracking of joining or connecting.
Ethylene Plastics
5. ORDERING INFORMATION 7.1.1 Visible Defects-Cracks, creases,
D 2122 Method of Determining unpigmented or nonuniformly pigmented
Dimensions of Thermoplastic tubing are not permissible.
Pipe and Fittings 5.1 Orders using this specification shall
include the following information as 7.1.2 Inner Liner-For Type S and SP
D 2412 Test method for Determina- tubing, the inner liner shall be fused to
tion of External Loading necessary to adequately describe the
desired product. the outer corrugated wall at all internal
Characteristics of Plastic Pipe corrugation crests.
by Parallel-Plate Loading 5.1.1 AASHTO designation and year
of issue, 7.2 Tubing Dimensions:
F 405 Standard Specification for
Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) 5.1.2 Type of tubing (see Section 4.1), 7.2.1 Nominal Size-The nominal size
Tubing and Fittings for the tubing and fittings is based on the
5.1.3 Diameter and length required,
nominal inside diameter of the tubing.
F 412 Definitions of Terms Relating either total length or length of each piece
Nominal diameters shall be sized for
to Plastic Piping Systems and number of pieces,
Type C and CP tubing in not less than
25.4 mm (1 in.) increments from 76 to

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M 252 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

254 mm (3 to 10 inches). Nominal sizes location of the perforations shall be in the when tested in accordance with Section
shall be sized for Type S and SP tubing valley of the outside corrugation and in 9.4.
in not less than 50.8 mm (2 in.) incre- each corrugation. The rows of perfora- 7.9 Brittleness-There shall be no crack-
ments from 102 to 254 mm (4 to 10 tions shall be arranged in two equal ing of the tubing wall when tested in
inches). groups placed symmetrically on either accordance with Section 9.5 except as
7.2.2 Inner Liner-For Type S and SP side of the lower unperforated segment specified in Sections 7.9.1 and 7.9.2.
tubing, the inner liner shall have a mini- corresponding to the flow line of the
tubing. The spacing of the rows shall be NOTE 4-The brittleness test is similar to that
mum thickness of 0.5 mm (0.02 in.) for described in ASTM F 405.
tubing of 102 mm (4 in.) and 152 mm (6 uniform. The distance of the center lines
in.) nominal size and a minimum thick- of the uppermost rows above the bottom 7.9.1 Cracks with a maximum chord
ness of 0.64 min (0.025 in.) for tubing of of the invert, and the inside chord lengths length of 10 mm (0.4 in.) that originate at
203 mm (8 in.) and 254 mm (10 in.) of the unperforated segments illustrated a perforation or at either end of the sam-
nominal size, when measured in accor- in Figure 2 shall be as specified in Table ple shall not be cause for rejection.
dance with Section 9.7.4. 1. All measurements shall be made in
7.9.2 Splitting along a seam or mold
accordance with Section 9.7.3.
7.2.3 Inside Diameter Tolerances-The parting line is not caused by brittleness
tolerance on the specified inside diameter 7.4.2 Class 2 Perforations-Circular and and should be evaluated as a workman-
shall be +3, -1.5 percent when measured slotted perforations shall conform to the ship defect as described in Section 7.1.1,
in accordance with Section 9.7.1. maximum dimensions as shown in Table if no split exceeds 50 mm (2 in.) in chord
2. Perforations shall be placed in the length.
7.2.4 Length-Corrugated PE tubing is outside valleys of the corrugations. The
an extruded product and may be sold in water inlet area shall be a minimum of
7.10 Low Temperature Flexibility-This
any length agreeable to the user. Lengths requirement applies to Type C and CP
2117 square millimeters per meter (1.0
shall not be less than 99 percent of the tubing furnished in coils only. There shall
square inch per linear foot) of tubing. All
stated quantity when measured in accor- be no cracking when tested in accordance
measurements shall be made in accor-
dance with Section 9.7.2. with Section 9.6.
dance with Section 9.7.3.
7.3 Fitting and Coupling Dimensions: 7.11 Fitting and Coupling Require-
7.5 Pipe Stiffiress-The tubing shall have
7.3.1 The maximum allowable gap ments:
a minimum pipe stiffness (PS) of 241 kPa
between fitting or coupling and tubing (35 psi) at 5-percent deflection when 7.11.1 The fittings and couplings shall
shall not exceed 3.2 mm (⅛ in.) unless tested in accordance with Section 9.1. not reduce or impair the overall integrity
otherwise specified. The tubing tested shall contain perfora- or function of the tubing line.
7.3.2 All fittings and couplings shall be tions, if specified. 7.11.2 Common corrugated fittings
within an overall length dimensional 7.6 Pipe Flattening-There shall be no include reducers, tees, wye's, and end
tolerance of t 12.7 mm (± 0.5 in.) of the evidence of wall buckling, cracking, caps. These fittings are installed using
manufacturer's specified dimensions. splitting, or delamination, when the couplers, such as snap-on, screw-on, and
7.4 Perforations-When perforated tubing tubing is tested in accordance with Sec- wrap around.
is specified, the perforations shall con- tion 9.2. NOTE 5-Only fittings and couplings supplied
form to the requirements of Class 2, 7.7 Elongation-This requirement applies or recommended by the tubing manufacturer
unless otherwise specified in the order. to Type C and CP tubing only. Three should be used.
Class 1 perforations are for tubing in- specimens of tubing, containing perfora- 7.11.3 Fittings and couplings shall not
tended to be used for subsurface drainage tions if specified, shall be tested in accor- reduce the inside diameter of the tubing
or combination storm and underdrain. dance with Section 9.3, if tubing is sup- being joined by more than 5 percent of
Class 2 perforations are for tubing in- plied in lengths of 3 m (10 ft) or more. the nominal inside diameter. Reducer
tended to be used for subsurface drainage The average elongation shall be 10 per- fittings shall not reduce the crosssectional
only. The perforations shall be cleanly cent or less. area of the smaller size.
cut so as not to restrict the inflow of 7.8 Environmental Stress Cracking-
water. Where circular perforations are There shall be no cracking of the tubing
preferred, the drill shall not penetrate the
side walls of the corrugations. Tubing TABLE 1
connected by couplings or bands may be Rows of Perforations, Height "H" of the Centerline of the Uppermost Rows Above the Invert, and
unperforated within 102 mm (4 in.) of Chord Length "L" of Unperforated Segment, for Class I Perforations
Nominal Diameter Rows of Perfora- H. maxb L, minb
each end of each length of tubing. a
(inches) (mm) tions (inches) (mm) (inches) (mm)
NOTE 3-Tubing ordered under Class 1 perfo- 4 102 2 1.8 46 2.6 66
rations has no requirement as to inlet area 6 152 4 2.8 71 3.8 97
because it specifies size, number, and location 8 203 4 3.7 94 5.1 130
of holes. Alternate perforation patterns should 10 254 4 4.6 117 6.4 163
a
be agreed to between the purchaser and manu- Minimum number of rows. A greater number of rows for increased inlet area shall be subject to agreement
facturer. between purchaser and manufacture.
b
See Figure 3 for location of dimensions "H" and "L".
7.4.1 Class I Perforations-The perfora- NOTE: The number of perforations per foot in each row (and inlet area) is dependent on the corrugation pitch.
tions shall be approximately circular and
TABLE 2 Maximum Perforation Dimensions
shall have nominal diameters of not more
Nominal Tubing Diameter Drilled Hole Diameter Slotted Holes
than 4.8 mm (3/16 in.) for 102 and 152- Width Length
mm (4 and 6-in.) diameter tubing and not (in) (mm) (in) (mm)
(in) (mm) (in) (mm)
greater than 9.5 mm (⅜ in.) for 203 and 4 102 3
/16 4.76 ⅛ 3.18 ⅞ 22.2
254 mm (8 and 10. in.) diameter tubing. 6 152 3
/16 4.76 ⅛ 3.18 ⅞ 22.2
The holes shall be arranged in rows 8 203 ¼ 6.35 ⅛ 3.18 1¼ 31.8
5
parallel to the axis of the tubing. The 10 254 /16 7.94 ⅛ 3.18 1¼ 31.8

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M 252 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

7.11.4 Tubing in couplers shall not

separate when tested in accordance with
Section 9.8.1.
7.11.5 The coupling shall not crack or
crease when tested in accordance with
Section 9.8.2.
7.11.6 The design of the couplers shall
be such that when connected with the
tubing, the axis of the assembly will be
level and true when tested in accordance
with Section 9.8.3.

8. CONDITIONING

8.1 Conditioning-Condition the specimen

prior to test at 23 ± 2° C (70-77° F) for
not less than 40 hours in accordance with
Procedure A in ASTM D 618 for those
tests where conditioning is required, and
unless otherwise specified.
8.2 Conditions-Conduct the test in a
laboratory temperature of 23 ± 2° C (70-
77° F) unless otherwise specified herein.

9. TEST METHODS

9.1 Pipe Stiffness-Select a minimum of

three tubing specimens and test for pipe
stiffness, (PS) as described in ASTM D
2412, with the following exceptions.
9.1.1 The test specimens shall be 305 ±
10 mm (12 ± ⅜ in.), long cut to include
full corrugations.
9.1.2 Locate the first specimen in the
loading machine with an imaginary line
connecting the two seams formed by the
corrugation mold (end view) parallel to
the loading plates. The specimen must lie
flat on the plate within 3 mm (⅛ in.) and
may be straightened by hand bending at
room temperature to accomplish this.
Use the first location as a reference point
for rotation and testing of the other two
specimens. Test each specimen in one
position only.
9.1.3 The deflection indicator shall be
readable and accurate to ± 0.03 mm (±
0.001 in.).
9.1.4 The residual curvature found in
corrugated tubing, especially that fur-
nished in coils, frequently results in an
erratic load/deflection curve. When this
occurs, project the lineal portion between
0 and 5 percent deflection until it inter-
sects the deflection axis. This point shall
be considered as the origin of the load/
deflection curve.
NOTE 6-The parallel plates must exceed the
length of the test specimen as specified above.

9.2 Pipe Flattening-Flatten the three

tubing specimens from Section 9.1 until
the vertical inside diameter is reduced by
20 percent. The rate of loading shall be

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M 252 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

the same as in Section 9.1. The specimen 9.5.3 Set the 9.5 kg (21 Ib) top plate for with the manufacturer's recommenda-
shall pass if no wall buckling, cracking, a free fall of 508 mm (20 in.) to the up- tions. Use tubing samples at least 150
splitting, or delamination is observed permost surface of the specimen. mm (6 in.) in length. Load the connected
under normal light with the unaided eye. 9.5.4 Locate the specimen on the bot- tubing and coupling between parallel
9.3 Elongation-Each specimen shall be tom plate with the plane of the corrugated plates at the rate of 12.7 mm/min. (0.5
1270 mm (50 in.) long suspended with its seams parallel to the plate. in./min.) until the vertical inside diameter
longitudinal axis vertical. Loads shall is reduced by at least 20 percent of the
9.5.5 Drop the upper plate and impact nominal diameter of the coupling. Inspect
consist of a tare mass equal to 0.0179 test the specimen within 30 seconds of
kg/mm (1.0 lb/in.) of nominal diameter of for damage while at the specified deflec-
removal from the conditioning environ- tion, and after load removal, and report
the tubing, and an additional test mass ment.
equal to 0.0893 kg/mm (5.0 lb/in.) of the results of this inspection.
nominal diameter of the tubing. Perform 9.5.6 Remove and inspect in accor- 9.8.3 Alignment-Assure that the assem-
the test as follows: (1) Hang the tare mass dance with the requirements of Section bly or joint is correct and complete;, if
from the lower end of the specimen, (2) 7.9. the tubing is bent, it should be hand-
mark a gage length of 760 ± 3 mm (30 ± 9.6 Low Temperature Flexibility-There straightened prior to performing this test.
0.1 in.) on the central portion of the shall be a minimum of three test speci- Lay the assembly or joint on a flat sur-
specimen length, (3) apply the test mass mens, each having a minimum length of face and verify that it will accommodate
gently, and allow to remain 180 seconds; 1.5 m (5 ft). The specimens shall be straight-line flow.
remeasure gage length to the nearest 3 conditioned at a temperature of -3.9 ±
mm (0.1 in.). Calculate the elongation, E 2°C (25 ± 3.6°F) for a period of 24 hours.
in percent, as follows: The 203 mm (8 in.) and smaller diameter 10. INSPECTION AND RETEST
test specimen shall be bent over a 381
elongation, mm (in.) X 100
E, percent = mm (15 in.) mandrel and the 254 mm (10 10.1 Inspection-Inspection of the
gage length, mm (in.) in.) specimen shall be bent over a 508 material shall be made as agreed upon by
9.4 Environmental Stress Cracking-Test mm (20 in.) mandrel, with the 180 degree the purchaser and the seller as part of the
sections of the tubing for environmental being completed within 30 seconds of purchase contract.
stress cracking in accordance with ASTM removal from the conditioning atmos-
phere. The specimens shall then be visu- 10.2 Retest and Rejection-If any fail-
D 1693, except for the following modifi- ure to conform to these specifications
cation: ally inspected for cracking.
occurs, the tubing or fittings or couplings
9.4.1 Three specimens shall be tested. 9.7 Tubing Dimensions: may be retested to establish conformity in
9.4.2 Each specimen shall consist of a 9.7.1 Inside Diameter-Measure the accordance with agreement between the
90-degree arc length of tubing without inside diameter of the tubing with a purchaser and seller. Individual results,
perforations as shown in Figure 1. tapered plug in accordance with ASTM D not averages, constitute failure.
2122. Or measure the inside diameter of
9.4.3 Bend the specimens to shorten two sections, with a suitable device accu-
the inside chord length 20 ± 1 percent rate to ± 0.2 mm (0.01 in.) at two random 11. MARKING
and retain in this position using a suitable positions 90 degrees to each other, and
holding device. Determine the arc chord average the four measurements. 11.1 All tubing shall be clearly marked
dimension (B) of the specimen under test
9.7.2 Length-Measure tubing with any at intervals of not more than 3 m (10 ft),
as follows:
suitable device accurate to 0.2 percent (2 and fittings and couplings shall be clearly
B = 0.8 A mm/m) (0.24 in./ft). Make all measure- marked, as follows:
where: ments on the tubing while it is stress-free 11.1.1 Manufacturer's name or trade-
A = the inside chord dimension before and at rest on a flat surface in a straight mark.
bending line.
11.1.2 Nominal size.
B = the same dimension taken after 9.7.3 Perforations-Measure dimensions
11.1.3 The specification designation M
bending (see Figure 1) of perforations on a straight specimen
252.
with no external forces applied. Make
9.4.4 Place the bent specimen in a 11.1.4 The plant designation code.
linear measurements with instruments
container of suitable size and cover com-
accurate to 0.2 mm (0.01 in.). 11.1.5 The date of manufacture or an
pletely with the preheated wetting agent
9.7.4 Inner Liner-Measure the thick- appropriate code.
100 percent "Igepal CO-630", a trade
name for nonylphenoxy poly (ethylene- ness of the inner liner in accordance with
oxy) ethanol, at 50 ± 2°C (122 y 3.6°F). ASTM D 2122. 12. QUALITY ASSURANCE
Maintain this temperature for 24 hours, 9.8 Couplings:
and then remove the sample and inspect 9.8.1 Joint Integrity-Assemble cou-
immediately. 12.1 A manufacturer's certification
plings to appropriate tubing in accor- that the product was manufactured,
9.5 Brittleness-Test three samples of dance with the manufacturer's recom- tested, and supplied in accordance with
tubing at an impact of 47 J (35 ft lbf) mendations. Use tubing samples at least this specification, together with a report
between two flat parallel plates using the 150 mm (6 in.) in length. Use the hanging of the test results, and the date each test
apparatus depicted in Figure 3. mass test procedure described in Section was completed, shall be signed by a
9.5.1 Cut the sample specimens 152 9.3. Verify that the joint will support a person authorized by the manufacturer.
mm (6 in.) long from one continuous mass along the tubing axis equal to
length. 0.0893 kg/m (5.0 lb/in.) of the nominal
inside diameter, without separating. Test
9.5.2 Condition specimens at –18 ±3°C
three couplings of each type.
(0 ± 5°F) for a minimum of 1 hour.
9.8.2 Strength-Assemble each coupling
to the appropriate tubing in accordance
393