The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI), the major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry, has released a new technical report – TR-56: “History of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing in North America and the Evolution of ASTM Standard Specification F876 from 1984–2024.”
This comprehensive document traces the history of PEX technology, beginning with its pioneering development in Europe in the late 1960s and the installation of the first radiant heating systems in 1972. Since then, PEX has established a 50-year record of successful global use in plumbing, heating, and mechanical applications.
According to Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., Director of Engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division, the ASTM standards F876 (for PEX tubing) and F877 (for PEX systems) were first published in 1984. Over the years, these standards have evolved to include new requirements addressing chlorine and UV resistance as well as improved connection systems designed to match or exceed the strength of the tubing itself.
TR-56 provides a detailed timeline of every revision made to ASTM F876 over the past forty years, including new tests, sizes, and performance criteria. It also highlights the role of Swedish engineer Tomas Lenman, who contributed significantly to the early development of PEX standards.
PEX was first incorporated into North American plumbing codes in the early 1990s and has since become the dominant material for residential and commercial hot- and cold-water systems, as well as hydronic heating and cooling. PPI estimates that more than 30 billion feet of PEX tubing have been shipped across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico – a testament to the material’s durability, reliability, and ease of installation.
“ASTM F876 has guided manufacturers, certifiers, designers, and installers for four decades,” said MacNevin. “It was the right time to capture this history as a reference for the entire industry.”
Founded in 1950, PPI represents materials including CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, and PP. The new Technical Report TR-56 is available for download via the PPI website at www.plasticpipe.org/buildingconstruction
