ASTM D2105 Standard Test Method for Longitudinal Tensile Properties of Fiberglass Pipe and Tube

Get Certified ASTM D2105 Testing for Fiberglass Pipe and Tube

Comparative tensile information for fiberglass pipe and tube is available from professional ASTM D2105 testing. Engineers can use these results for product development, material evaluation, quality control, specification acceptance, and during engineering design. A qualified technician prepares representative pipe specimens, establishes the required pretreatment and test conditions, installs appropriate end-loading equipment, and applies tensile force along the pipe axis. Analysts then evaluate the resulting load and deformation data to determine the applicable longitudinal tensile properties.

• Material type: Glass-fiber-reinforced thermosetting-resin pipe (RTRP) and glass-fiber-reinforced polymer mortar pipe (RPMP).
• Property measured: Longitudinal tensile properties under controlled conditions.
• Primary loading: Tensile force applied along the longitudinal axis of the pipe.
• Test conditions: Defined pretreatment, temperature, and testing-machine speed.
• Pipe size: Generally limited to pipe diameters of 6 in. (150 mm) or smaller; larger sizes may be tested when suitable apparatus is available.
• Potential results: Modulus of elasticity, yield stress where applicable, elongation beyond yield, tensile strength, elongation at break, and energy absorption.

What are the uses of ASTM D2105 testing?

ASTM D2105 testing helps engineers evaluate how fiberglass pipe carries longitudinal tensile loads. The resulting data can support material comparison, product development, manufacturing control, and acceptance activities. ASTM specifically identifies research and development, engineering design, quality control, and acceptance or rejection under specifications among the potential uses of tensile testing. Common uses include:

• Product development: Compare fiberglass pipe constructions and reinforcement designs.
• Engineering design: Generate longitudinal tensile data for design evaluations.
• Quality control: Monitor consistency between production batches.
• Specification acceptance: Compare measured properties with applicable requirements.
• Supplier evaluation: Assess supplied pipe against agreed technical requirements.
• Material comparison: Compare RTRP or RPMP products under controlled conditions.
• Failure investigation: Examine longitudinal tensile behavior when investigating product performance.
• Research and development: Study the influence of materials, processing, pretreatment, temperature, or other controlled variables.

Which Materials Can Be Tested According to ASTM D2105?

ASTM D2105 focuses on fiberglass pipe and tube manufactured with glass-fiber reinforcement and a thermosetting-resin-based polymer system. The standard specifically recognizes both RTRP and RPMP as fiberglass pipe within its scope. Materials and products may include:

• Glass-fiber-reinforced thermosetting-resin pipe (RTRP)
• Glass-fiber-reinforced polymer mortar pipe (RPMP)
• Fiberglass pipe and tube products
• Pipe with different glass-fiber reinforcement architectures
• Pipe manufactured with different thermosetting-resin systems
• Products intended for different service applications where longitudinal tensile behavior requires evaluation

Why is ASTM D2105 testing important?

Fiberglass pipe consists of glass reinforcement and a polymer matrix, and the glass content can be adjusted to meet mechanical requirements. As a result, two pipes of the same dimensions can respond differently to longitudinal tension, internal pressure, torsion, compression, or flexure. ASTM D2105 permits a controlled comparison of the tensile properties in the longitudinal direction. The engineers can analyze the data to determine whether the tensile strength and stiffness, elongation, and other tensile properties are different from each other in the defined test conditions. The test also helps users distinguish longitudinal tensile performance from other service properties. ASTM specifically cautions that tensile results may not adequately represent applications with substantially different load-time scales; users may need impact, creep, fatigue, pressure, or other specialized testing for those applications.

ASTM D2105 Testing Process and Data Collection

Technicians first determine the fiberglass pipe or tube and record its construction, size, and manufacturing information, and applicable conditions. They follow the current ASTM procedure for specimen preparation, including required pretreatment and environmental conditions. The technician then places the specimen in the correct end-loading setup to apply a tensile load along the pipe axis using the testing machine. The machine measures the force applied to it and the resulting deformation during the test. Using the equipment, the technician observes the specimen’s behavior as it is loaded and documents the yield point (if it occurs), the specimen’s maximum tensile load, the deformation, and the specimen’s final failure. The analyst uses the measured dimensions and load-deformation data to determine the appropriate longitudinal tensile properties. The test report should identify the specimen, material construction, dimensions, conditioning and test conditions, equipment, measured load and deformation data, calculated tensile properties, and failure observations. Consistent specimen preparation, alignment, conditioning, machine speed, measurement, and data handling improve the comparability of results.

Common Challenges and Troubleshooting

Poor alignment can introduce bending stresses and distort the longitudinal tensile result. Technicians should inspect the loading arrangement and maintain proper axial alignment before applying the test load.  Fiberglass pipe can experience localized damage if the loading arrangement does not transfer force appropriately. Technicians should inspect the end fittings and specimen ends before testing. Variations in wall thickness, reinforcement architecture, resin content, or manufacturing can affect tensile properties. Analysts should document specimen characteristics and maintain consistent sampling when making comparisons.

• The analyst derives tensile stress from the tensile force and the appropriate cross-sectional area, and applies the deformation data to the corresponding load. The resulting stress-strain curve can be used to determine stiffness and elongation, and the ultimate load can be used to determine tensile strength.
• The standard uses inch-pound units, with metric values provided for reference. Depending on the reported property, results may include stress in psi, modulus in psi, elongation in percent, force in lbf, and dimensions in inches. The reporting program may include SI conversions such as MPa, N, and mm, while the original tested values should remain traceable.
• Technicians record specimen identification, pipe dimensions, conditioning and test conditions, applied load, deformation, and failure observations. Analysts document calculated tensile properties and any applicable stress-strain information. The final report should identify the material, specimen configuration, test conditions, measured values, calculated properties, and relevant deviations. Consistent preparation, alignment, conditioning, equipment control, and data analysis support meaningful comparison between fiberglass pipe products.

Link to ASTM D2105