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BRITISH STANDARD

BS 4346-3:
1982
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Joints and fittings for

use with unplasticized
PVC pressure pipes
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Part 3: Specification for solvent cement

UDC 621.643.41.06-987:678.743.22-462:621.643.44:666.968.8

BS 4346-3:1982

Cooperating organizations
The Plastics Standards Committee, under whose direction this British
Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the following:
British Plastics Federation*

Engineering Equipment Users Association*

British Resin Manufacturers Association

Era Technology Ltd.

Chemical Industries Association

Institution of Production Engineers

Department of Industry (Chemicals and

Ministry of Defence

Textiles)

Plastics and Rubber Institute*

Department of the Environment (PSA)*

Post Office

Department of the Environment (Building

Royal Institute of British Architects*

Research Establishment)

Rubber and Plastics Research Association of

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Department of Trade (Metrology, Quality

Assurance, Safety and Standards Division)
Electrical and Electronic Insulation

Great Britain
Society of Chemical Industry
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

Association (BEAMA)

Limited

Electrical Installation Equipment

Manufacturers Association (BEAMA)

The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted
with the preparation of this British Standard:
British Chemical and Dyestuffs Traders
Association

Institute of Plumbing
Institution of Civil Engineers

British Gas Corporation

Institution of Municipal Engineers

British Valve Manufacturers Association

Institution of Public Health Engineers

Ltd.

Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists

Copper Tube Fittings Manufacturers

National Association of Plumbing, Heating

Association

and Mechanical Services Contractors

Department of the Environment (Housing and

Construction)

Oil Companies Materials Association

Electricity Supply Industry in England and

Wales

National Water Council

Water Companies Association
Water Research Centre

This British Standard, having

been prepared under the
direction of the Plastics
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and comes
into effect on
31 August 1982
BSI 03-1999

Amendments issued since publication

First published July 1974

First revision August 1982

Amd. No.

Date of issue

Comments

5338

July 1987

Indicated by a sideline in the margin

The following BSI references

relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference PLM/9
Draft for comment 80/53455 DC
ISBN 0 580 12673 0

BS 4346-3:1982

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Contents
Page
Cooperating organizations
Inside front cover
Foreword
ii
1
Scope
1
2
References
1
3
Materials
1
4
Testing requirements
1
5
Requirements for physical tests
2
6
Marking
2
Appendix A Method of test for the determination of shear strength
3
Appendix B Method of test for the determination of film properties
3
Appendix C Method of test for the determination of the long-term
hydrostatic pressure requirements
3
Appendix D Preparation of test joints
4
Figure 1 Jig arrangement for the shear strength test
5
Figure 2 Solvent cement spreader
6
Table 1 Tests
2
Table 2 Long-term hydrostatic pressure requirements
2
Publications referred to
Inside back cover

BSI 03-1999

BS 4346-3:1982

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Foreword
This revision of this Part of this British Standard has been prepared under the
direction of the Plastics Standards Committee. When revising this Part
consideration has been given to the discussions on solvent cements being held
within Technical Committee TC 138 of the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in which the UK has taken an active part. However, the
international standard has not yet been published.
This Part was first published in 1974 and specified the requirements for solvent
cement for use with joints and fittings for use with unplasticized polyvinyl
chloride pressure pipes and gravity sewer pipes.
The main changes from the 1974 edition are as follows:
a) the scope has been enlarged to include the suitability of use with
non-pressure pipes and gravity sewer pipes;
b) the solvent cement shall be thixotropic;
c) the requirements for the effects of materials on water quality are included
(by Amendment No. 1) in a form to enable solvent cements complying with this
British Standard to be acceptable to UK water undertakings; and
d) the marking requirements of the containers have been amended.
Part 1 of this standard specifies requirements for injection moulded unplasticized
PVC fittings for solvent welding for use with pressure pipes including potable
water supply and Part 2 specifies requirements for mechanical joints and fittings
principally of unplasticized PVC. No other parts are at present under
consideration.
Attention is also drawn to BS 6209 which specifies the requirements of solvent
cement for non-pressure thermoplastics pipe systems but which is not suitable for
pressure pipes or gravity sewer pipes complying with BS 5481.
Reference should be made to CP 312 for further information on the use of
thermoplastics pressure pipes.
Certification. Attention is drawn to the certification facilities described on the
inside back cover of this Part.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
ii

BSI 03-1999

BS 4346-3:1982

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1 Scope
This Part of this British Standard specifies the
requirements for solvent cement, supplied in cans or
tubes for jointing unplasticized PVC pressure pipes
complying with the requirements of BS 3505 and
BS 3506, unplasticized PVC fittings complying with
the requirements of Part 1 of this standard and
unplasticized PVC pipes and fittings complying
with the requirements of BS 5481.
The solvent cement is also suitable, along with
solvent cement complying with the requirements of
BS 6209, for jointing products complying with the
requirements of BS 4514, BS 4576 and BS 4660.
NOTE This Part of this British Standard does not specify the
type of can used for solvent cement, but it recommends a colour
for the cans.

2 References
The titles of standards publications referred to in
this standard are listed on the inside back cover.

3 Materials
3.1 The solvent cement shall be thixotropic and
consist substantially of solvents that will swell
unplasticized PVC, polymers and stabilizers.
NOTE

Fillers may be incorporated.

3.2 The solvent cement shall be capable of

application by a brush and shall contain no lumps or
foreign matter.
3.3 The manufacturer shall indicate by suitable
marking [see clause 6 g)] that the solvent cement, in
unopened containers, has a shelf life of 12 months
when stored according to the manufacturers
instructions, and will meet the physical and
material requirements of the standard at least to
that date.
3.4 When used under the conditions for which they
are designed, non-metallic materials in contact with
or likely to come into contact with potable water
shall not constitute a toxic hazard, shall not support
microbial growth and shall not give rise to
unpleasant taste or odour, cloudiness or
discoloration of the water.

1)

Concentrations of substances, chemicals and

biological agents leached from materials in contact
with potable water, and measurements of the
relevant organoleptic/physical parameters shall not
exceed the maximum values recommended by the
World Health Organization in its publication
Guidelines for drinking water quality Vol. 1
Recommendations (WHO, Geneva, 1984)1) or as
required by the EEC Council Directive
of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water
intended for human consumption (Official Journal
of the European Communities L229, pp 1129)1),
whichever in each case is the more stringent.
NOTE 1 Requirements for the testing of non-metallic materials
in these respects are set out in the UK Water Fittings Byelaws
Scheme Information and Guidance Note No. 5-01-02,
ISSN 0267-0313, obtainable from the Water Research Centre,
Water Byelaws Advisory Service, 660 Ajax Avenue, Slough,
Berkshire SL1 4BG.
NOTE 2 Pending the determination of suitable means of
characterizing the toxicity of leachates from materials in contact
with potable water, materials approved by the Department of the
Environment Committee on Chemicals and Materials of
Construction for use in Public Water Supply and Swimming
Pools are considered free from toxic hazard for the purposes of
compliance with this subclause. A list of approved chemicals and
materials is available from the Technical Secretary of that
committee at the Department of the Environment, Water
Division, Romney House, 43 Marsham Street, London
SW1P 3PY.
NOTE 3 Products manufactured for installation and use in the
United Kingdom which are verified and listed under the UK
Water Fittings Byelaws Scheme, administered by the Water
Research Centre (address as in note 1), are deemed to satisfy the
requirements detailed in this subclause.

4 Testing requirements
4.1 Type tests. Type tests, as given in Table 1, are
intended to prove the suitability of a formulation
and method of manufacture. They shall be applied
at least once each year of manufacture, or whenever
a change is made to the formulation or method of
manufacture.
4.2 Batch tests. Batch testing shall be carried out
to control the quality of the solvent cement.
NOTE A batch is defined as one production lot from a single
mix, which may be despatched in a number of smaller cans.

The tests to be carried out on a batch shall be as

given in Table 1.

Available from HMSO.

BSI 03-1999

BS 4346-3:1982

Table 1 Tests
Test

Clauses
Type test

Shear strength

5.1

Film properties
Long-term hydrostatic
pressure

5.2
5.3

Batch test

5.1.2
5.1.3
5.2.1 a)

5 Requirements for physical tests

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5.1 Shear strength

5.1.1 When tested by the method described
in Appendix A, taking measurements at 1 h, 24 h
and 366 h after assembly, the individual values of
five test pieces at each period shall be not less
than 0.6 MPa, 2.0 MPa or 5.0 MPa respectively.
5.1.2 When tested by the method described
in Appendix A, taking measurements at 24 h after
assembly, the shear strength of a test piece from
each batch shall not be less than 2.0 MPa.
5.1.3 The 95 % lower confidence limit of the
latest 25 batch test results, as a maximum,
determined by the method described in BS 2846-2,
shall be not less than 0.2 MPa below the
average 24 h result determined in 5.1.1.
5.2 Film properties
5.2.1 When tested in accordance with the method
described in Appendix B the solvent cement shall
comply with the following requirements.
a) The film produced shall be even, continuous
and free from lumps and foreign matter.
Entrapped air shall not constitute failure.
b) The film from a) shall be sufficiently flexible to
be wrapped around a 25 mm diameter mandrel
without developing cracks or splits and shall be
not less than 0.2 mm thick at any point.
c) The film shall not flow or drip when held in a
vertical position for 5 min.
5.3 Long-term hydrostatic pressure. When
tested in accordance with the method described
in Appendix C the joints shall not leak at each of the
set of conditions given in Table 2.
For type test purposes, one of four test pieces shall
be tested at each of the four test conditions given
in Table 2 respectively.

Table 2 Long-term hydrostatic pressure

requirements
Temperature

Pressure

Test period

bar

47
40
18
13.5

20 2
20 2
60 2
60 2
NOTE

25
1 000
25
1 000

1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 100 kPa.

6 Marking
Each container of solvent cement shall be clearly
labelled with the following information as
applicable:
a) the manufacturers identification;
b) the number of this British Standard,
i.e. BS 4346-32);
c) the nominal content by mass or volume;
d) if a can the batch number from which the can
was filled;
e) a list of the thermoplastics pipe standards for
which the cement is suitable (see clause 1);
f) any safety precautions relating to use and
storage.
g) the month and year in which the batch was
manufactured, and a statement to the effect that
the solvent cement has a shelf life of 12 months
when stored in unopened containers in
accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
The following additional information shall be
included in the labelling, if space permits, or in the
product literature or on a carton holding containers:
h) directions of use including:
1) joint preparation (a recommended procedure
is given in Appendix D);
2) the instruction do not decant or dilute;
3) the instruction the joint shall not be
disturbed for at least 10 min after assembly;
i) the statement the useful life of the solvent
cement can be conserved by replacing the lid or
cap, as applicable, immediately after each time
of use.
NOTE It is recommended that containers be coloured blue to
assist in identification. Solvent cement is available in containers
in a variety of sizes which allow for a range in the number and
size of joints being made during a short period.

2) Marking BS 4346-3 on or in relation to a product is a claim by the manufacturer that the product has been manufactured in
accordance with the requirements of the standard. The accuracy of such a claim is therefore solely the manufacturers
responsibility. Enquiries as to the availability of third party certification should be addressed to the appropriate certification
body.

BSI 03-1999

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BS 4346-3:1982

Appendix A Method of test for the

determination of shear strength

Appendix B Method of test for the

determination of film properties

A.1 Apparatus
A.1.1 A tensile testing machine, complying with the
requirements of BS 5214-1.
A.1.2 A jig, to connect the test assembly to the
machine (a suitable arrangement is illustrated
in Figure 1).
A.2 Test pieces. The test pieces shall be assemblies
of a 75 mm length of pipe complying with the
requirements of BS 3505, nominal size 1 and of
suitable wall thickness to withstand the force
applied during the test, and an unplasticized PVC
socket with a parallel bore 20 + 5, 0 mm in length
and of a diameter to give a diametral clearance
between the socket inside diameter and the mean
outside diameter of the pipe of 0.8 + 0, 0.05 mm.
A.3 Procedure
A.3.1 Prepare the number of test pieces, appropriate
to the number of tests being carried out, in
accordance with the procedure described
in Appendix D.
A.3.2 Condition the test pieces at 23 2 C
and 50 5 % r.h. for at least 30 min prior to the test
which may be part of the 1 h, 24 h or 336 h between
assembly and testing.
A.3.3 Place the test piece in the jig, 1 h, 24 h
or 336 h after assembly, as appropriate, and apply a
force by separation of the jaws at a rate
of 5 0.5 mm/min.
A.3.4 Note the maximum force required to cause
failure.
A.4 Calculation. Calculate the shear strength, S,
of each test piece from the following equation:

NOTE This test is often referred to as the SAFFT test (spread,

appearance, flexibility, flow and thickness).

F
S = ------------- d l
where
F is the force required to cause failure (in MPa),
d is the internal diameter of the socket ( in mm),
l is the length of the joint (in mm).
A.5 Report. The report shall include the following:
a) the batch number and identification of the
solvent cement tested;
b) the shear strength of the individual tests at
either or both periods between assembly and
testing;
c) the average of the results of the type test;
d) the value of the 95 % confidence limits of the
batch tests at the date of the test, when
appropriate;
e) the date of the test.

BSI 03-1999

B.1 Apparatus
B.1.1 A spreading jig as illustrated in Figure 2 with
the spreader blade clearance set
at 2.0 + 0.1, 0 mm.
B.1.2 A metal mandrel, 25 mm in diameter.
B.2 Test conditions. The test shall be carried out
at 23 2 C.
B.3 Procedure
B.3.1 Place the apparatus with the blade preset to
the required clearance on a supported horizontal
sheet of glass or other material unaffected by the
solvent cement.
B.3.2 Fill the D-shaped space with the solvent
cement under test and firmly slide the apparatus to
produce a film at least 100 mm long and leave to dry
for 24 h.
B.3.3 Repeat the above procedure but use a flat
sheet of unplasticized PVC in place of the glass.
Immediately after forming the film hold the sheet in
a vertical position for 5 min.
B.4 Evaluation
B.4.1 After 24 h examine the film formed in B.3.2
for continuity and lumps or foreign matter.
B.4.2 After 336 h remove the film formed in B.3.2
from the backing sheet and check its thickness.
Then wrap it around the mandrel and examine for
cracks or splits.
B.4.3 After 5 min examine the film formed in B.3.3
for flow or dripping.
B.5 Report. The report shall include the following:
a) the batch number and identification of the
solvent cement tested;
b) a description of the film including the presence,
if any, of lumps or foreign matter;
c) the amount of flow, as appropriate;
d) the presence of cracks or splits and the film
thickness, as appropriate;
e) the date of the test.

Appendix C Method of test for the

determination of the long-term
hydrostatic pressure requirements
C.1 Apparatus
C.1.1 A water bath or air space, maintained
at 20 2 C or 60 20 C, as appropriate.
C.1.2 A pressure source, to maintain an internal
hydrostatic pressure as required 2 %.

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BS 4346-3:1982

C.2 Test piece. The test piece shall be assemblies

of a 250 mm length of pipe complying with the
requirements of BS 3505, nominal size 1 and of
suitable wall thickness to withstand the force
applied during the test, and an unplastitized PVC
socket with a parallel bore 20 + 5, 0 mm in length
and of a diameter to give a diametral clearance
between the socket inside diameter and the mean
outside diameter of the pipe of 0.8 + 0, 0.05 mm.
The ends shall be closed with suitable connections to
contain the applied pressure.
C.3 Procedure
C.3.1 Prepare the solvent cement joint between the
pipe and socket by the method described
in Appendix D using the solvent cement under test.
C.3.2 Close the ends with suitable connections for
pressurization and condition the test piece
at 23 2 C for at least 14 days.
C.3.3 Fill the test piece with water taking care to
expel all air and mount it in the temperature
controlled apparatus, at the appropriate
temperature for the test being carried out
(see Table 2), in a way which will ensure full end
thrust is applied when pressurized.
C.3.4 Apply the appropriate test pressure to the test
piece and maintain for the appropriate test period
(see Table 2).
C.3.5 Examine the test piece for evidence of leakage
at the prepared joint.
C.4 Report. The report shall include the following:
a) the batch number and identification of the
solvent cement tested;

b) the temperature, pressure and period of test,

as appropriate;
c) the condition of the test joint after the test;
d) the date of the test.

Appendix D Preparation of test joints

The following recommended procedure is known to
be suitable:
a) check that the solvent cement complies with
the requirements of clause 3;
b) ensure the end of the pipe or fitting to form the
spigot is cut at right angles to its axis;
c) remove any swarf and other debris from the
joining surfaces of the socket and spigot;
d) for the tests other than the shear strength test,
cut a chamfer of 15 to 20 with a length of 1 mm
to 2 mm round the outside of the spigot;
e) uniformly roughen the mating surfaces by
abrading with clean grade no. 1 emery cloth or
grade F2 glass paper complying with the
requirements of BS 871;
f) clean the mating surfaces with absorbent paper
soaked in acetone or cleaning fluid recommended
by the solvent cement manufacturer;
g) apply one coat of solvent cement evenly to the
mating surfaces using a clean brush and stroking
the solvent cement along and not round the
surfaces;
h) immediately push the joint together without
twisting until the full length of the socket is
reached. Hold for 20 s to 30 s and remove any
surplus solvent cement from the mouth of the
socket.

BSI 03-1999

Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BS 4346-3:1982

Figure 1 Jig arrangement for the shear strength test

BSI 03-1999

Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI
BS 4346-3:1982

Figure 2 Solvent cement spreader

BSI 03-1999

BS 4346-3:1982

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Publications referred to
BS 871, Abrasive papers and cloths for general purposes.
BS 2846, Guide to statistical interpretation of data.
BS 2846-2, Estimation of the mean-confidence interval.
BS 3505, Unplasticized PVC pipe for cold water services.
BS 3506, Unplasticized PVC pipe for industrial purposes.
BS 4346, Joints and fittings for use with unplasticized PVC pressure pipes.
BS 4346-1, Injection moulded unplasticized PVC fittings for solvent welding for use with pressure pipes,
including potable water supply.
BS 4346-2, Mechanical joints and fittings principally of unplasticized PVC3).
BS 4514, Unplasticized PVC soil and ventilating pipe, fittings and accessories.
BS 4576, Unplasticized PVC rainwater goods.
BS 4660, Unplasticized PVC underground drain pipe and fittings.
BS 5214, Testing machines for rubbers and plastics.
BS 5214-1, Tensile, flexural and compression machines.
BS 5481, Specification for unplasticized PVC pipe and fittings for gravity sewers.
BS 6209, Solvent cement for non-pressure thermoplastics pipe systems.
CP 312, Plastics pipework (thermoplastics materials)3).

3) Referred

to in foreword only.

BSI 03-1999

Licensed Copy: lbocvzr lbocvzr, University of Loughborough, 24 June 2003, Uncontrolled Copy, (c) BSI

BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL

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BSI British Standards Institution

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presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
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