in this specification. When a splice is used in the manufacture
of the gasket, no more than two splices shall be made in any
one gasket.
5.1.1 The chemical composition of the gasket shall be
compatible with the type of environment to which it will be
subjected. Selection of the gasket composition shall be in
accordance with a purchaser and seller agreement.
NOTE 3—Consult the gasket manufacturer for advice as to the suitabil-
ity of specific rubber compounds for the intended service and joint
configurations. Items such as cold set when the joint is deflected under
low-temperature conditions and maximum and minimum stretch in the
gasket may be dependent upon the specific chemical compounds used.
5.2 Materials in the bell and spigot of the joint shall meet
the requirements of the applicable ASTM specification for the
pipe or fitting of which the joint is a part.
6. Requirements
6.1 Joint Surfaces—All surfaces of the joint upon or against
which it is possible that the gasket will bear shall be smooth
and free of cracks, fractures, or other imperfections that would
adversely affect the performance of the joint.
6.2 Joint Geometry—The design of the joint shall include a
means to retain the gasket and prevent it from being uninten-
tionally displaced, either during assembly of the joint or during
operation of the completed pipe system.
6.3 Dimensions and Tolerances—The provisions of 6.3.1.1
apply only to a joining system utilizing a gasket of circular
cross section retained in a rectangular groove. It is acceptable
for manufacturers to submit to the purchaser detailed designs
for joints utilizing gaskets or grooves, or both, of other
geometric shape or for joints not meeting the criteria of 6.3.1.
Joints not meeting the requirements of this section shall meet
the test requirements of Section 7; such joints shall be
acceptable, provided the design is approved by the purchaser
prior to manufacture and provided the test pipe complies with
the specified test requirements. Test results are applicable to
other diameters with the same joint configuration, gasket shape
and gasket composition provided substantially similar gasket
compressions and gasket hardness are maintained. Increased or
decreased gasket dimensions are permitted provided joint
geometry is also appropriately proportioned so that critical
relationships like gasket confinement are equal or superior to
the tested joint. Design submissions shall include joint
geometry, tolerances, gasket characteristics, proposed plant
tests, and such other information as required by the purchaser
to evaluate the joint design for field performance.
6.3.1 Joints Using Circular Gasket Cross Sections:
6.3.1.1 The volume of the annular space provided for the
gasket, with the engaged joint at normal joint closure in
concentric position, and neglecting ellipticity of the bell and
spigot, shall not be less than the design volume of the gasket
furnished. For a rectangular gasket groove, the cross-sectional
area of annular space shall be calculated for minimum bell
inside diameter, maximum spigot outside diameter, minimum
width of groove at surface of spigot, and minimum depth of
groove. The volume of the annular space shall be calculated at
the centerline of the groove and considering the centroid of the
cross-sectional area to be at the midpoint between the surface
of the groove on which the gasket is seated and the surface of
the bell, if the groove is on the spigot, or the surface of the
spigot, if the groove is in the bell.
6.3.1.2 When the design volume of the gasket is less than
75 % of the volume of the annular space in which the gasket is
confined, the dimensions and tolerances of the gasket, bell, and
spigot shall be such that, when the outer surface of the spigot
and the inner surface of the bell come into contact at some
point in their periphery, the deformation in the gasket shall not
exceed 40 % at the point of contact nor be less than 15 % at any
point. If the design volume of the gasket is 75 % or more of the
volume of the annular space, the deformation of the gasket, as
prescribed above, shall not exceed 50 % nor be less than 15 %.
The cross-sectional area of annular space shall be calculated
for average bell diameter, average spigot diameter, average
width of groove at surface of spigot, and average depth of
groove. The volume of the annular space shall be calculated at
the centerline of the groove and considering the centroid of the
cross-sectional area to be at the midpoint between the surface
of the groove on which the gasket is seated and the surface of
the bell, if the groove is on the spigot, or the surface of the
spigot, if the groove is in the bell.
NOTE 4—It is recognized that a relationship exists between the
water-tightness of a joint, the gasket deformation, and the ratio of gasket
volume to space volume. For high-pressure applications, it may be
necessary to provide a very high-volume ratio to obtain a sound joint.
Some manufacturers also have developed satisfactory joints with very
little gasket deformation, but meet the requirements of Section 6by
utilizing a very high-volume ratio.
6.3.1.3 When determining the maximum percent deforma-
tion of the gasket, the minimum depth of groove and the
stretched gasket diameter shall be used and calculations made
at the centerline of the groove. When determining the mini-
mum percent deformation of the gasket, the maximum bell
diameter, the minimum spigot diameter, the maximum depth of
groove, and the stretched gasket diameter shall be used and
calculations made at the centerline of the groove. For gasket
deformation calculations, if the gasket is placed on the spigot
in circumferential tension, the stretched gasket diameter shall
be determined as being the design diameter of the gasket
divided by the square root of (1 + x) where xequals the design
FIG. 1 Typical Coupling Joint Detail
D4161 − 24
2