ASTM A978/A978M-97 - 10.10.1997
 
1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers composite ribbed steel pipe, precoated and polyethylene lined intended for use for gravity flow sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and other special applications such as water transmission pipe, rehabilitation pipe, slip line pipe, and irrigation pipe where extra corrosion and abrasion resistance are required. The steel sheet used in the fabrication of the pipe has a polymer coating over a metallic coating of zinc on both sides. In addition, as the pipe is being fabricated, the ribs are filled with polyethylene and then a polyethylene liner is extruded onto the interior surface.

1.2 The exterior polymer precoating provides extra protection of the steel against soilside corrosion, in addition to that provided by the metallic coating, and also provides a dielectric barrier for cathodic protection. The interior polymer precoating provides an adhesive layer between the galvanized steel and the polyethylene lining. The applied lining provides internal protection against corrosion, erosion, and abrasion. By filling the rib which has a deltoid shape (smaller at the opening in the pipe wall than at the bottom of the rib), the polyethylene is mechanically connected to the pipe wall and the polyethylene liner is then thermally bonded to the filled rib.

1.3 This specification does not include requirements for bedding, backfill, or the relationship between earth cover load and sheet thickness of the pipe. Experience has shown that the successful performance of this product depends upon the proper selection of sheet thickness, type of bedding and backfill, controlled manufacture in the plant, and care in the installation. The installation procedure is described in Practice A 798.

1.4 This specification is applicable to orders in either inch-pound units as A 978, or in SI units as A 978M. Inch-pound units and SI units are not necessarily equivalent. SI units are shown in brackets in the text for clarity, but they are the applicable values when the material is ordered to A 978M.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D638-22

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

A929/A929M-26

Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Metallic-Coated by the Hot-Dip Process for Corrugated Steel Pipe

B633-23

Standard Specification for Electrodeposited Coatings of Zinc on Iron and Steel

A926-03

Standard Test Method for Comparing the Abrasion Resistance of Coating Materials for Corrugated Metal Pipe

A902-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Metallic Coated Steel Products

A798/A798M-22

Standard Practice for Installing Factory-Made Corrugated Steel Pipe for Sewers and Other Applications

A796/A796M-21

Standard Practice for Structural Design of Corrugated Steel Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches for Storm and Sanitary Sewers and Other Buried Applications

C443M-21

Standard Specification for Joints for Concrete Pipe and Manholes, Using Rubber Gaskets (Metric)

C443-21

Standard Specification for Joints for Concrete Pipe and Manholes, Using Rubber Gaskets

B695-21

Standard Specification for Coatings of Zinc Mechanically Deposited on Iron and Steel

A780-01

Standard Practice for Repair of Damaged and Uncoated Areas of Hot-Dip Galvanized Coatings

A742/A742M-23a

Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Metallic Coated and Polymer Precoated for Corrugated Steel Pipe (Includes all amendments and changes 12/19/2023).

A563M-07

Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts [Metric]

A563-15

Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Nuts

A307-21

Standard Specification for Carbon Steel Bolts, Studs, and Threaded Rod 60 000 PSI Tensile Strength

A153/A153M-23

Standard Specification for Zinc Coating (Hot-Dip) on Iron and Steel Hardware

A90/A90M-21

Standard Test Method for Weight [Mass] of Coating on Iron and Steel Articles with Zinc or Zinc-Alloy Coatings

LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications, Section 26

Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges,

Division II, Section 26

T?249

Test for Helical Lock Seam Corrugated Pipe

D792-20

Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement

D1056-20

Standard Specification for Flexible Cellular Materials´Sponge or Expanded Rubber

D1238-26

Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer

D2240-15(2021)

Standard Test Method for Rubber Property—Durometer Hardness

D1435-20

Standard Practice for Outdoor Weathering of Plastics

D1005-95(2024)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thickness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers

D3212-21(2026)

Standard Specification for Joints for Drain and Sewer Plastic Pipes Using Flexible Elastomeric Seals

D5576-00(2021)e1

Standard Practice for Determination of Structural Features in Polyolefins and Polyolefin Copolymers by Infrared Spectrophotometry (FT-IR) (Includes all amendments and changes 2/10/2021).

D5630-22

Standard Test Method for Ash Content in Plastics

F568M-07

Standard Specification for Carbon and Alloy Steel Externally Threaded Metric Fasteners (Withdrawn 2012)

F593-24

Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bolts, Hex Cap Screws, and Studs

F594-24

Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Nuts

F738M-02

Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Metric Bolts, Screws, and Studs

F836M-20

Standard Specification for Style 1 Stainless Steel Metric Nuts (Metric) (Withdrawn 2023)