Glossary
Glossary
Abbrasion Resistance: Ability to with-
stand the effects of repeated wearing,
rubbing, scraping, etc.
ABS: Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
Acceptance Test: An investigation
performed on an individual lot of a
previously qualified product, by, or
under the observation of, the purchaser
to establish conformity with a purchase
agreement.
Acetal Plastics: Plastics based on
resins having a predominance of acetal
linkages in the main chain.
Acids: One of a class of substances
compounded of hydrogen and one or
more other elements, capable of uniting
with a base to form a salt, and in
aqueous solution, turning blue litmus
paper red.
Acrylate Resins: A class of thermoplas-
tic resins produced by polymerization of
acrylic and acid derivatives.
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Sytrene (ABS)
Pipe and Fitting Plastics: Plastics
containing polymers and/or blends of
polymers, in which the minimum butadi-
ene content is 6 percent, the minimum
acrylonitrile content is 15 percent, the
minimum styrene and/or substituted
styrene content is 15 percent, and the
maximum content of all other monomers
is not more than 5 percent, and lubri-
cants, stabilizers and colorants.
Adhesive: A substance capable of
holding materials together by surface
attachment.
Adhesive, solvent: An adhesive having
a volatile organic liquid as a vehicle.
Aging: The effect of time on plastics
exposed indoors at ordinary conditions
of temperature and relatively clean air.
Alkalies: Compounds capable of
neutralizing acids and usually character-
ized by an acrid taste. Can be mild like
baking soda or highly caustic like lye.
Aliphatic: Derived from or related to
fats and other derivatives of the parrafin
hydrocarbons, including unsaturated
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compounds of the ethylene and acety-
lene series.
Alkyd Resins: A class of resins pro-
duced by condensation of a polybasic
acid or anhydride and a polyhydric
alcohol.
Allyl Resins: A class of resins produced
from an ester or other derivative of allyl
alcohol by polymerization.
Alternate Product: A product whose
use is restricted to incidences where the
approved components will not satisfy
the needs of the system.
Anneal: To prevent the formation of or
remove stresses in plastic parts by
controlled cooling from a suitable
temperature.
Antioxidant: A compounding ingredi-
ent added to a plastic composition to
retard possible degradation from
contact with oxygen (air), particularly in
processing at or exposures to high
temperatures.
Approved Product: A product that has
been designated for selection, installa-
tion and use within an Intel UPW system.
Aromatic: A large class of cyclic
organic compounds derived from, or
characterized by the presence of the
benezene ring and its homologs.
Artificial Weathering: The exposure of
plastics to cyclic laboratory conditions
involving changes in temperature,
relative humidity, and ultraviolet radiant
energy, with or without direct water
spray, in an attempt to produce changes
in the material similar to those observed
after long-term continuous outdoor
exposure.
ASTM: American Society for Testing
Materials
BCF: Bead and Crevice Free, or a
welding technique offered within the
range of SYGEF® HP products.
Bell End: The enlarged portion of a
pipe that resembles the socket portion of
a fitting and that is inteded to be used
to make a joint by inserting a pieced of 20
20.1
 pipe into it. Joining may be accom-
plished by solvent cements, adhesives,
or mechanical techniques.
Beam Loading: The application of a
load to a pipe between two pints of
support, usually expressed in pounds
and the distance between the centers of
the supports.
Blister: Undesirable rounded elevation
of the surface of a plastic, whose
boundaries may be either more or less
sharply defined, somewhat resembling
in shape or blister on the human skin. A
blister may burst and become flattened.
Bond: To attach by means of an
adhesive.
Burned: Showing evidence of thermal
decomposition through some discolora-
tion, distortion, or destruction of the
surface of the plastic.
Burst Strength: The internal pressure
required to break a pipe or fitting. This
pressure will vary with the rate of build-
up of the pressure and the time during
which the pressure is held.
Butylene Plastics: Plastics based on
resins made by the polymerization of
butene or copolymerization of butene
with one or more unsaturated com-
pounds, the butene being in in greatest
amount by weight.
CA: Cellulose acetate
CAB: Cellulose acetate butyrate
CAP: Cellulose acetate propionate
Calendering: A process by which a
heated rubber plastic product is
squeezed between heavy rollers into a
thin sheet or film. The film may be
frictioned into the interstices of cloth, or
it may be coated onto cloth or paper.
Cast Resin: A resinous product pre-
pared by pouring liquid resins into a
mold and heat-treating the mass to
harden it.
Catalysis: The acceleration (or retarda-
tion) of the speed of a chemical reaction
by the presence of a comparatively
small amount of a foreign substance
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20_ALL 2 6/7/02, 3:27 PM
called a catalyst.
Cellulose: Inert substance, chemically a
carbohydrate, which is the chief compo-
nent of the solid structure of plants,
wood, cotton, linen, etc.
Cellulose Acetate: A class of resins
made from a cellulose base, either
cotton linters or purified wood pulp, by
the action of acetic anhydride and
acetic acid.
Cement: A dispersion of “solution” of
unvulcanized rubber or a plastic in a
volatile solvent. This meaning is peculiar
to the plastics and rubber industries and
may or may not be an adhesive compo-
sition.
Centipoise: A subunit of the poise, P, the
unit of viscosity in the cgs system not
preferred in the International units
standard. 1P=0.1 N s/m2 = 0.1Pa s, (or
0.1 pascal-second) 1cP=0.001 N s/m2
= 0.001 Pa s or m Pa s
Certificate of Analysis: A certification
from the manufacturer of a product that
it has been tested against a specified
standard and meets the requirements.
Certificate of Compliance: A certifi-
cate from the manufacturer of a product
that it meets the requirements based on
previous testing and manufacturing
process.
Chemical Resistance: (1) The effect of
specific chemicals on the properties of
plastic piping with respect to concentra-
tion, temperature and time of exposure.
(2) The ability of a specific plastic pipe
to render service for a useful period in
the transport of a specific chemical at a
specified concentration and tempera-
ture.
Class 1000 (example): The level of
cleanliness as defined in Federal Stan-
dard 209E equivalent to allowing no
more than 1000 particles of a size
greater than or equal to 0.5 micron per
cubic foot of air. The smaller the class
number the cleaner the area. A class
100 area would only be allowed 100 of
such particles per cubic foot of air.
¬ ‡

Clean Room: A particle controlled area
which has filtered air being supplied to
maintain a specified level of cleanliness
or class.
cm: centimeter, or the basic length unit
of the International system
CMC: Carboxymethyl cellulose
CN: Cellulose nitrate
Coalescence: The union or fusing
together of fluid globules or particles to
form larger drops or a continuous mass.
Cold Flow: Change in dimensions or
shape of some materials when subjected
to external weight or pressure at room
temperature.
Compound: A combination of ingredi-
ents before being processed or made
into a finished product. Sometimes used
as a synonym for material, formulation.
Condensation: A chemical reaction in
which two or more molecules combine,
usually with the separation of water or
some other substance.
Copolymer: The product of simulta-
neous polymerization of two or more
polymerizeable chemicals, commonly
known as monomers.
CP: Cellulose propionate
CPVC: Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
CR: Chloroprene rubber (Neoprene®)
Crazing: Fine cracks at or under the
surface of a plastic.
Creep: The unit elongation of a particu-
lar dimension under load for a specific
time following the initial elastic elonga-
tion caused by load application. It is
expressed usually in inches per inch per
unit of time.
CS: Casein
CSM: Chlorine sulphonyl polyethylene
(Hypalon®)
Cure: To change the properties of a
polymeric system into a final, more
stable, usable condition by the use of
heat, radiation, or reaction with chemi-
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20_ALL 3 6/7/02, 3:27 PM
Glossary
cal additives.
Deflection Temperature: The tempera-
ture at which a specimen will deflect a
given distance at a given load under
prescribed conditions of test.
Degradation: A deleterious change in
the chemical structure of a plastic.
Delamination: The separation of the
layers of material in a laminate.
Deterioration: A permanent change in
the physical properties of a plastic
evidenced by impairment of these
properties.
Dielectric Constant: Specific inductive
capacity. The dielectric constant of a
material is the ratio of the capacitance
of a condenser having that material as
dielectric to the capacity of the same
condenser having a vacuum as dielec-
tric.
Dielectric Strength: This is the force
required to drive an electric current
through a definite thickness of the
material; the voltage required to break
down a specified thickness of insulation.
Diffusion: The migration or wandering
of the particles or molecules of a body
of fluid matter away from the main body
through a medium or into another
medium.
Dimension Ratio: The diameter of a
pipe divided by the wall thickness. Each
pipe can have two dimension ratios
depending on whether the outside or
inside diameter is used. In practice, the
outside diameter is used if the stan-
dards requirement and manufacturing
control are based on this diameter. The
inside diameter is used when this mea-
surement is the controlling one.
Dimensional Stability: Ability of a
plastic part to maintain its original
proportions under conditions of use.
Dry-Blend: A free-flowing dry com-
pound prepared without fluxing or
addition of solvent.
Durometer: Trade name of the Shore
Instrument Company for the instrument 20
that measures hardness. The rubber or
20.3
 plastics durometer determines the
“hardness” of rubber or plastics by
measuring the depth of penetration
(without puncturing) of blunt needles
compressed on the surface for a short
period of time.
EC: Ethyl cellulose
ECTFE: Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene
(Halar®)
Elastic Limit: The load at which a
material will no longer return to its
original form when the load is released.
Elastomer: The name applied to
substances having rubberlike properties.
Electrical Properties: Primarily the
resistance of a plastic to the passage of
electricity, e.g. dielectric strength.
Elevated Temperature Testing: Tests
on plastic pipe above 23°C (73°F).
Elongation: The capacity to take
deformation before failure in tension
and is expressed as a percentage of the
original length.
Emulsion: A dispersion of one liquid in
another — possibly only when they are
mutually insoluble.
Environmental Stress Cracking:
Cracks that develop when the material
is subjected to stress in the presence of
specific chemicals.
EP: Epoxide, epoxy
EPDM: Ethylene propylene rubber
EPSS: Electropolished stainless steel
Ester: A compound formed by the
elimination of waste during the reaction
between an alcohol and an acid; many
esters are liquids. They are frequently
used as plasticizers in rubber and plastic
compounds.
Ethyl Cellulose: A thermoplastic
material prepared by the ethylation of
cellulose by diethyl sulfate halides and
alkali.
Ethylene Plastics: Plastics based on
resins made by the polymerization of
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20_ALL 4 6/7/02, 3:27 PM
ethylene or copolymerization of ethylene
with one or more unsaturated com-
pounds, the ethylene being in greatest
amount by weight.
Extrusion: Method of processing
plastic in a continuous or extended form
by forcing heat-softened plastic through
an opening shaped like the cross-
section of the finished project.
Extender: A material added to a
plastic composition to reduce its cost.
Fabricate: Method of forming a plastic
into a finished article by machining,
drawing and similar operations.
Failure, adhesive: Rupture of an
adhesive bond, such that the place of
separation appears to be at the adhe-
sive-adherence interface.
Federal Standard 209E: A US federal
standard which specifies clean rooms
and clean room production.
FEP: Fluorinated ethylene propylene
Fiber Stress: The unit stress, usually in
pounds per square inch (psi), in a piece
of material that is subjected to external
load.
Filler: A material added to a plastic
composition to impart certain qualities in
the finished article.
Flexural Strength: The outer fiber stress
which must be attained in order to
produce a given deformation under a
beam load.
Fluorocarbon: See Fluoropolymer
Fluoropolymer: Also known as fluoro-
carbon. Any of a number of organic
compounds analogous to hydrocarbons,
in which the hydrogen atoms have been
replaced by fluorine. However, in the
context of this documentation they are
limited to the plastic materials used to
create components for piping systems.
Formulation: A combination of ingredi-
ents before being processed or made
into a finished product. Sometimes used
as a synonym for material, compound.
FPM: Fluorine rubber (Viton®)*
¬ ‡

ft: foot, or the basic length unit of the
English system
Fungi Resistance: The ability of plastic
pipe to withstand fungi growth and/or
their metabolic products under normal
conditions of service or laboratory tests
simulating such conditions.
Fuse: To join two plastic parts by
softening the material by heat or sol-
vents.
g: gram, or the basic mass (absolute
weight) unit of the International system
Generic: Common names for types of
plastic materials. They may be either
chemical terms or coined names. They
contrast with trademarks which are the
property of one company.
gf: gram-force, or the conventional
gravitational force units used in technol-
ogy and engineering in the cgs system
but not the International system
GPM: U.S. gallons per minute
Hardness: A comparative gauge of
resistance to identation, not of surface
hardness or abrasion resistance.
HDPE: High-density polyethylene
Heat Joining: Making a pipe joint by
heating the edges of the parts to be
joined so that they fuse and become
essentially one piece with or without the
use of additional material.
Heat Resistance: The ability to with-
stand the effects of exposure to high
temperature, Care must be exercised in
defining precisely what is meant when
this term is used. Descriptions pertaining
to heat resistance properties include:
boilable, washable, cigaretteproof,
sterilizable, etc.
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air, or
one method of filtration used to achieve
clean room conditions.
Hoop Stress: The circumferential stress
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Glossary
imposed on a cylindrical wall by internal
pressure loading.
HP1: (primary meaning) High purity, or
the manufacturing and use of a product
in its purest state.
HP2: (secondary meaning) Laminated
paper
Hydrostatic Design Stress: The esti-
mated maximum tensile stress in the wall
of the pipe in the circumferential orienta-
tion due to internal hydrostatic pressure
that can be applied continuously with a
high degree of certainty that failure of
the pipe will not occur.
Hydrostatic Strength (quick): The hoop
stress calculated by means of the ISO
equation at which the pipe breaks due
to an internal pressure build-up, usually
within 60 to 90 seconds.
Hz: hertz, or 1 cycle per second
IIR: Isobutene isoprene (butyl) rubber
Impact, Izod: A specific type of impact
test made with a pendulum type ma-
chine. The specimens are molded or
extruded with a machined notch in the
center.
Impact Strength: Resistance or me-
chanical energy absorbed by a plastic
part to such shocks as dropping and
hard blows.
Impact, Tup: A falling weight (tup)
impact test developed specifically for
pipe and fittings. There are several
variables that can be selected.
Impermeability: Permitting no passage
into or through a material.
Impurity: Any unwanted or potentially
damaging material or substance which
could be present in an ultrapure water
component or system.
Injection Molding: A method of repeti-
tively producing similar objects by
means of forcing molten plastic into a
cavity known as a mold. The inside
surface of the component is formed by
the core.
20
20.5
 IR: Infrared, or a welding technique
offered within the range of SYGEF®
HP products.
ISO: International Organization for
Standardization. The scope of ISO
9001 is to specify the quality system
requirements for use where a supplier's
capability to design and supply con-
forming product must be demonstrated.
These requirements are aimed at achiev-
ing customer satisfaction by preventing
nonconformity at all stages from design
through to servicing. ISO 9001 Quality
Systems are a model for quality assur-
ance in design, development, produc-
tion, installation and servicing whereas
ISO 9002 focuses on production,
installation and servicing.
ISO Equation: An equation showing
the interrelations between stress, pres-
sure and dimensions of pipe, namely
P(ID + t) P(OD - t)
S= or
2t 2t
where:
S = stress
P = pressure
ID = average inside diameter
OD = average outside diameter
t = minimum wall thickness
J: The joule of newton-meter is the
International unit of energy or work of
thermal, electrical, mechanical or
chemical origin. A force of 1 newton
over a distance of 1 meter produces 1
newton meter or 1 joule of energy.
1J=1Nm
Ketones: Compounds containing the
carbonyl group (CO) to which is at-
tached two alkyl groups. Ketones, such
as methyl ethyl ketone, are commonly
used as solvents for resins and plastics.
kg: kilogram, or the basic mass (abso-
lute weight) unit of the International
system
kgf: kilogram-force, or the conventional
gravitational force units used in technol-
ogy and engineering in the mks system
but not the International system. The
kilogram force is equal to the “kilo-pond”
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20_ALL 6 6/7/02, 3:27 PM
of German technology which uses the
symbol “kp”.
kp: see kgf
KYNAR® A trade name for the raw
polyvinylidene fluoride material pro-
duced by Elf Atochem.
lb.: pound, or the basic mass (absolute
weight) unit of the English system
lbf: pound-force, or the conventional
gravitational force units used in technol-
ogy and engineering in the English
system
Leach Out: The test method of filling a
container or component to be tested
with ultrapure water, waiting a specified
period of time and analyzing the impu-
rity content.
Light Stability: Ability of a plastic to
retain its original color and physical
properties upon exposure to sun or
artificial light.
Light Transmission: The amount of light
that a plastic will pass.
Longitudinal Stress: The stress im-
posed on the long axis of any shape. It
can be either a compressive or tensile
stress.
Long-Term Hydrostatic Strength: The
estimated tensile stress in the wall of the
pipe in the circumferential orientation
(hoop stress) that when applied continu-
ously will cause failure of the pipe at
100,000 hours (11 .43 years). These
strengths are usually obtained by
extrapolation of log-log regression
equations or plots.
LPM: Liters per minute
Lubricant: A substance used to de-
crease the friction between solid faces
and sometimes used to improve process-
ing characteristics of plastic composi-
tions.
m: meter, or the basic length unit of the
International system
Melt Flow Index: A measure of the
flowing ability of a plastic material at a
¬ ‡

specified temperature and pressure.
Melt Point: The temperature at which a
material melts.
MF: Melamine formaldehyde
Modulus: The load in pounds per
square inch or kilos per square centime-
ter of initial cross-sectional area neces-
sary to produce a stated percentage-
elongation which is used in the physical
testing of plastics.
Moisture Resistance: Ability to resist
absorption of water.
Molding, Compression: A method of
forming objects from plastics by placing
the material in a confining mold cavity
and applying pressure and usually heat.
Molding, Injection: A method of
forming plastics from granular or pow-
dered plastics by the fusing of plastic in
a chamber with heat and pressure and
then forcing part of the mass into a
cooler chamber where it solidifies.
Note: This method is commonly used to
form objects from thermoplastics.
Monomer: A relatively simple chemical
which can react to form a polymer.
N: Newton, or the basic force unit of the
mks metric system used throughout the
Standard International System. The
newton is the analog of the poundal
and the dyne, the more “scientific” force
units of the English and cgs systems
which produce unit acceleration of unit
mass. The force of 1 newton accelerates
1 kilogram at 1 meter/second2.
1N=1kg x 1 m/s2.
N/m2 (or Pa) - the pascal (Pa) is the
International unit of force/area (stress or
pressure) expressed equivalently as the
newton per square meter. The choice
was to avoid the use of the pascal as
neither particulary useful or informative,
and stress is expressed as N/cm2 , a
valid submultiple of N/m2,
although it is not a “preferred” form in
the International units standard.
1Pa=1N/m21N/cm2=10kN/m2 (where
kN = kilonewtons = 1,000 newtons)
NBR: Nitrile (butadiene) rubber
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Glossary
Nm: see J (or joule)
Non-Flammable: Will not support
combustion.
Nonrigid Plastic: A plastic which has a
stiffness or apparent modulus of elastic-
ity of not over 10,000 psi at 23°C which
determined in accordance with the
Standard Method of Test for Stiffness in
Flexure of Plastics.
Non-Toxic: Non-poisonous.
NR: Natural rubber
Nylon Plastics: Plastics based on resins
composed principally of a long-chain
synthetic polymeric amide which has
recurring amide groups as an integral
part of the main polymer chain.
Olefin Plastics: Plastics based on resins
made by the polymerization of olefins or
copolymerization of olefins with other
unsaturated compounds, the olefins
being in greatest amount by weight.
Polyethylene, polypropylene and
polybutylene are the most common
olefin plastics encountered in pipe.
Orange-Peel: Uneven surface some-
what resembling an orange peel.
Organic Chemical: Originally applied
to chemicals derived from living organ-
isms, as distinguished from “inorganic”
chemicals found in minerals and inani-
mate substances; modern chemists
define organic chemicals more exactly
as those which contain the element
carbon.
Outdoor Exposure: Plastic pipe placed
in service or stored so that it is not
protected from the elements of normal
weather conditions, i.e., the sun’s rays,
rain, air and wind. Exposure to indus-
trial and waste gases, chemicals, engine
exhausts, etc. are not considered normal
“outdoor exposure.”
P: see cP
PA: Polyamide
Pa: see N/m2 20
20.7

PB: Polybutylene
PC: Polycarbonate
PCTFE: Polychlorotrifluoroethylene
PDAP: Polydiallyl phthalate
PEC: Chlorinated polyethylene
Permanence: The property of a plastic
which describes its resistance to appre-
ciable changes in characteristics with
time and environment.
PETP: Polyethylene terephthalate
PF: Phenol-formaldehyde
PFA: Perfluoroalkoxy resin
PIB: Polyisobutylene
Phenolic Resins: Resins made by
reaction of a phenolic compound or tar
acid with an aldehyde; more commonly
applied to thermosetting resins made
from pure phenol.
Plasticity: A property of plastics and
resins which allows the material to be
deformed continuously and permanently
without rupture upon the application of
a force that exceeds the yield value of
the material.
Plasticizer: A liquid or solid incorpo-
rated in natural and synthetic resins and
related substances to develop such
properties as resiliency, elasticity and
flexibility.
Plastics Conduit: Plastic pipe or tubing
used as an enclosure for electrical
wiring.
Plastics Pipe: A hollow cylinder of a
plastic material in which the wall thick-
nesses are usually small when compared
to the diameter and in which the inside
and outside walls are essentially con-
centric.
Platics Tubing: A particular size of
plastics pipe in which the outside
diameter is essentially the same as that
of copper tubing.
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20_ALL 8 6/7/02, 3:27 PM
PMMA: Polymethyl methacrylate
Polybutylene: A polymer prepared by
the polymerization of butene-1 as the
sole monomer.
Polybutylene Plastics: Plastics based
on polymers made with butene-1 as
essentially the sole monomer.
Polyethylenes: A class of resins formed
by polymerizing ethylene, a gas ob-
tained from petroleum hydrocarbons.
Polymer: A product resulting from a
chemical change involving the succes-
sive addition of a large number of
relatively small molecules (monomer) to
form the polymer, and whose molecular
weight is usually a multiple of that of the
original substance.
Polymerization: Chemical change
resulting in the formation of a new
compound whose molecular weight is
usually a multiple of that of the original
substance.
Polyolefin: A polymer prepared by the
polymerization of an olefin(s) as the sole
monomer(s).
Polyolefin Plastics: Plastics based on
polymers made with an olefin(s) as
essentially the sole monomer(s).
Polypropylene: A polymer prepared
by the polymerization of propylene as
the sole monomer.
Polypropylene Plastics: Plastics based
on polymers made with propylene as the
sole monomer.
Polystyrene: A plastic based on a resin
made by polymerization of styrene as
the sole monomer.
Note: Pollystyrene may contain minor
proportions of lubricants, stabilizers,
fillers, pigments and dyes.
Polyvinyl Chloride: Polymerized vinyl
chloride, a synthetic resin, which when
plasticized or softened with other
chemicals has some rubber-like proper-
ties. It is derived from acetylene and
¬ ‡

anhydrous hydrochloric acid.
Polyvinyl Chloride Plastics: Plastics
made by combining polyvinyl chloride
with colorants, fillers, plasticizers,
stabilizers, lubricants, other polymers
and other compounding ingredients.
Not all of these modifiers are used in
pipe compounds.
POM: Polyoxymethylene (Kematal®)
Porosity: Presence of numerous visible
voids.
Power Factor: The ratio of the power in
watts delivered in an alternating current
circuit (real power) to the voltampere
input (apparent power). The power
factor of an insulation indicates the
amount of the power input which is
consumed as a result of the impressed
voltage forcing a small leakage current
through the material.
PP: Polypropylene
Pressure: When expressed with refer-
ence to pipe the force per unit area
exerted by the medium in the pipe.
Pressure Rating: The estimated maxi-
mum pressure that the medium in the
pipe can exert continuously with a high
degree of certainty that failure of the
pipe will not occur.
Propylene Plastics: Plastics based on
resins made by the polymerization of
propylene or copolymerization of
propylene with one or more other
unsaturated compounds, the propylene
being in greatest amount by weight.
PS: Polystyrene
PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®)
PUR: Polyurethane
PVAC: Polyvinyl acetate
PVAL: Polyvinyl alcohol
PVB: Polyvinyl butyral
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride
PVCA: Polyvinyl chloride acetate
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Glossary
PVDC: Polyvinylidene chloride
PVDF: Polyvinylidene fluoride, or the
fluoropolymer (plastic) material itself
used in either extruding, injection mold-
ing or machining of SYGEF® HP prod-
ucts.
PVF: Polyvinyl fluoride
PVFM: Polyvinyl formal
PVK: Polyvinyl carbazol
Qualification Test: An investigation,
independent of a procurement action,
performed on a product to determine
whether or not the product conforms to
all requirements of the applicable
specification.
Note: The examination is usually
conducted by the agency responsible
for the specification, the purchaser, or by
a facility approved by the purchaser, at
the request of the supplier seeking
inclusion of his product on a qualified
products list.
Quick Burst: The internal pressure
required to burst a pipe or fitting due to
an internal pressure build-up, usually
within 60 to 70 seconds.
Resilience: Usually regarded as
another name for elasticity. While both
terms are fundamentally related, there is
a distinction in meaning. Elasticity is a
general term used to describe the
property of recovering original shape
after a deformation. Resilience refers
more to the energy of recovery; that is, a
body may be elastic but not highly
relient.
Resin: An organic substance, generally
synthetic, which is used as a base
material for the manufacture of some
plastics.
Reworked Material: A plastic material
that has been reprocessed, after having
been previously processed by molding,
extrusions, etc., in a fabricator’s plant.
Rigid Plastic: A plastic which has a
stiffness or apparent modulus of elastic-
ity greater than 100,000 psi at 23°C 20
20.9
 when determined in accordance with
the Standard Method of Test for Stiffness
in Flexure of Plastics.
Rubber: A material that is capable of
recovering from large deformations
quickly and forcibly.
Sample: A small part or portion that is
capable of recovering from large
deformations quickly and forcibly.
SAN: Styrene-acrylonitrile
Saran Plastics: Plastics based on resins
made by the polymerization of vi-
nylidene chloride or copolymerization of
vinylidene chloride with other unsatur-
ated compounds, the vinylidene chloride
being in greatest amount of weight.
SB: Styrene-butadiene
Schedule: A pipe size system (outside
diameters and wall thicknesses) origi-
nated by the iron pipe industry.
Self-Extinguishing: The ability of a
plastic to resist burning when the source
of heat or flame that ignited it is re-
moved.
SEMATECH: Semiconductor Manufac-
turing Technology Corporation, or a
consortium of member semiconductor
companies joined together to exchange
technology for the advancement of
semiconductor production. SEMATECH is
located in Austin, Texas.
Service Factor: A factor which is used
to reduce a strength value to obtain an
engineering design stress. The factor
may vary depending on the service
conditions, the hazard, the length of
service desired and the properties of the
pipe.
Set: To convert an adhesive into a fixed
or hardened state by chemical or
physical action, such as condensation,
polymerization, oxidation, vulcanization,
gelatin, hydration or evaporation of
volatile constituents.
SI: Silicone
Simulated Weathering: The exposure
of plastics to cyclic laboratory condi-
tions of high and low temperatures, high
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and low relative humidities and ultravio-
let radiant energy in an attempt to
produce changes in their properties
similar to those observed on long-term
continuous exposure outdoors. The
laboratory exposure conditions are
usually intensified beyond those encoun-
tered in actual outdoor exposure in an
attempt to achieve an accelerated
effect.
Simulated Aging: The exposure of
plastics to cyclic laboratory conditions
of high and low temperatures, and high
and low relative humidities in an attempt
to produce changes in their properties
similar to those observed on long-time
continuous exposure to conditions of
temperature and relative humidity
commonly encountered indoors or to
obtain an acceleration of the effects of
ordinary indoor exposure. The labora-
tory exposure conditions are usually
intensified beyond those actually en-
countered in an attempt to achieve an
accelerated effect.
Softening Range: The range of tem-
perature in which a plastic changes from
a rigid to a soft nature.
Note: Actual values will depend on the
method of test. Sometimes referred to as
softening point.
SOLEF®: A trade name for the raw
polyvinylidene fluoride material pro-
duced by SOLVAY.
Solvent: The medium within which a
substance is dissolved; most commonly
applied to liquids used to bring particu-
lar solids into solution, e.g., acetone is a
solvent for PVC.
Solvent Cement: In the plastic piping
field, a solvent adhesive that contains a
solvent that dissolves or softens the
surfaces being bonded so that the
bonded assembly becomes essentially
one piece of the same type of plastic.
Solvent Cementing: Making a pipe
joint with a solvent cement.
Specific Gravity: Ratio of the mass of a
body to the mass of an equal body of
volume of water at 4°C, or some other
specified temperature.
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Specific Heat: Ratio of the thermal
capacity of a substance to that of water
at 15°C.
Specimen: An individual piece or
portion of a sample used to make a
specific test. Specific tests usually
require specimens of specific shape and
dimensions.
Stabilizer: A chemical substance which
is frequently added to plastic com-
pounds to inhibit undesirable changes in
the material, such as discoloration due
to heat or light.
Standard Dimension Ratio: A selected
series of numbers in which the dimension
ratios are constants for all sizes of pipe
for each standard dimension, ratio and
which are the USASI Preferred Number
Series 10 modified by +1 or -1 . If the
outside diameter (OD) is used the
modifier is +1 . If the inside diameter (ID)
is used the modifier is -1 .
Standard Thermoplastic Pipe Materi-
als Designation Code: A means for
easily identifying a thermoplastic pipe
material by means of three elements.
The first element is the abbreviation for
the chemical type of the plastic in
accordance with ASTM D-1600. The
second is the type and grade (based on
properties in accordance with the ASTM
materials specification): in the case of
ASTM specifications which have no
types and grades or those in the cell
structure system, two digit numbers are
assigned by the PI that are used in
place of the larger numbers. The third is
the recommended hydrostatic design
stress (RHDS) for water at 23°C (73°F) in
pounds per square inch divided by 100
and with decimals dropped, e.g., PVC
1120 indicates that the plastic in polyvi-
nyl chloride, Type I, Grade 1 according
to ASTM D-1748 with a RHDS of 2000
psi for water at 73°F. PE 3306 indicates
that the plastic is polyethylene. Type III
Grade 3 according to ASTM D-1248
with a RHDS of 630 psi for water at
73°F. PP 1208 is polypropylene. Class I-
19509 in accordance with ASTM D-2146
with a RHDS of 800 psi for water at
73°F; the designation of PP 12 for
polypropylene Class I-19509 will be
covered in the ASTM and Product
Standards for polypropylene pipe when
they are issued.
www.us.piping.georgefischer.com
20_ALL 11
Glossary
Stiffness Factor: A physical property of
plastic pipe that indicates the degree of
flexibility of the pipe when subjected to
external loads.
Strain: The ratio of the amount of
deformation to the length being de-
formed caused by the application of a
load on a piece of material.
Strength: The mechanical properties of
a plastic, such as a load or weight-
carrying ability, and ability to withstand
sharp blows. Strength properties
include tensile, flexural and tear strength,
toughness, flexibility, etc.
Stress: When expressed with reference
to pipe the force per unit area in the
wall of the pipe in the circumferential
orientation due to internal hydrostatic
pressure.
Stress-Crack: External or internal cracks
in a plastic caused by tensile stresses
less than that of its short-term mechani-
cal strength.
Note: The development of such cracks
is frequently accelerated by the environ-
ment to which the plastic is exposed.
The stresses which cause cracking may
be present internally or externally or
may be combinations of these stresses.
The appearance of a network of fine
cracks is called crazing.
Stress Relaxation: The decrease of
stress with respect to time in a piece of
plastic that is subject to an external
load.
Styrene Plastics: Plastics based on
resins made by the polymerization of
styrene or copolymerization of styrene
with other unsaturated compounds, the
styrene being in greatest amount by
weight.
Styrene-Rubber (SR) Pipe and Fittings
Plastics: Plastics containing at least 50
percent styrene plastics combined with
rubbers and other compounding materi-
als, but not more than 15 percent
acrylonitrile.
Styrene-Rubber Plastics: Compositions
based on rubbers and styrene plastics,
the styrene plastics being in greatest
amount by weight. 20
20.11
6/7/02, 3:27 PM
 Sustained Pressure Test: A constant
internal pressure test for 1000 hours.
SYGEF® HP: A Georg Fischer trade
name designating “SYstem GEorg
Fischer - High Purity”, or a group of
components manufactured under strict
cleanliness manufacturing conditions
and provided to the high purity industry.
SYGEF® HP pipe is made by SYMALIT
exclusively for Georg Fischer.
Tear Strength: Resistance of a material
to tearing (strength).
Tensile Strength: The capacity of a
material to resist a force tending to
stretch it. Ordinarily the term is used to
denote the force required to stretch a
material to rupture, and is known vari-
ously as “breaking load,” “breaking
stress,” “ultimate tensile strength,” and
sometimes erroneously as “breaking
strain.” In plastics testing, it is the load in
pounds per square inch or kilos per
square centimeter of original cross-
sectional area, supported at the moment
of rupture by a piece of test sample on
being elongated.
Thermal Conductivity: Capacity of a
plastic material to conduct heat.
Thermal Expansion: The increase in
length of a dimension under the influ-
ence of a change in temperature.
Thermoforming: Forming with the aid
of heat.
Thermoplastic Materials: Materials
which soften when heated to normal
processing temperatures without the
occurrence of appreciable chemical
change, but are quickly hardened by
cooling. Unlike the thermosetting
materials they can be reheated to
soften, and recooled to “set,” almost
indefinitely; they may be formed and
reformed many times by heat and
pressure.
Thermoset: A plastic which, when
cured by application of heat or chemical
means, changes into a substantially
infusible and insoluble product.
Thermosetting: Plastic materials which
undergo a chemical change and harden
permanently when heated in processing.
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20_ALL 12
Further heating will not soften these
materials.
Translucent: Permitting the passage of
light, but diffusing it so that objects
beyond cannot be clearly distinguished.
UF: Urea-formaldehyde
UP: Unsaturated polyester
UPWR: Ultrapure water supply
UPWS: Ultrapure water return
Vinyl Chloride Plastics: Plastics based
on resins made by the polymerization of
vinyl chloride or copolymerization of
vinyl chloride with minor amounts (not
over 50 percent) of other unsaturated
compounds.
Vinyl Plastics: Plastics based on resins
made from vinyl monomers, except those
specifically covered by other classifica-
tions, such as acrylic and styrene plas-
tics. Typical vinyl plastics are polyvinyl
chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl
alcohol, and polyvinyl butyral, and
copolymers of vinyl monomers with
unsaturated compounds.
Virgin Material: A plastic material in
the form of pellets, granules, powder,
floc or liquid that has not been sub-
jected to use or processing other than
that required for its original manufacture.
Viscosity: Internal friction of a liquid
because of its resistance to shear,
agitation or flow.
Volatile: Property of liquids to pass
away by evaporation.
Volume Resistivity: The electrical
resistance of a 1-centimeter cube of the
material expressed in ohm-centimeters.
W: the watt, or 1 joule per second. This
is the International unit of power.
1W=1J/s=1Nm/s
Water Absorption: The percentage by
weight of water absorbed by a sample
immersed in water. Dependent upon
area exposed.
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6/7/02, 3:27 PM
 Glossary
Water Vapor Transmission: The
penetration of a plastic by moisture in
the air.

Weather Resistance: Ability of a plastic

to retain its original physical properties
and appearance upon prolonged
exposure to outdoor weather.

Weld-or-Knitline: A mark on a molded

plastic formed by the union of two or
more streams of plastic flowing together.

Welding: The joining of two or more

pieces at adjoining or nearby areas
either with or without the addition of
plastic from another source.

Yield Point: The point at which a

material will continue to elongate at no
substantial increase in load during a
short test period.

Yield Stress: The force which must be

applied to a plastic to initiate flow.

20
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