Article: How to perform temperature cycling test

Why is temperature cycling testing according to ISO 19893 important?

Temperature cycling testing is a critical method for evaluating the long-term performance of plastic piping systems exposed to alternating hot and cold service conditions. In real-world installations, piping systems are rarely subjected to steady-state conditions—thermal fluctuations introduce mechanical stresses that can challenge joint integrity over time.

ISO 19893 addresses precisely this reality. By reproducing repeated thermal expansion and contraction under controlled pressure conditions, the test provides a robust indication of how pipe assemblies will behave throughout their service life. For manufacturers, test laboratories and approval bodies, it represents an essential step in validating durability, reliability and compliance.

What is ISO 19893?

ISO 19893 defines a test method for assessing the resistance of thermoplastic piping systems to temperature cycling. The test focuses on mounted assemblies of pipes and fittings subjected to alternating hot and cold water under pressure over a specified number of cycles.

The purpose is not only to evaluate individual components, but the performance of the complete system—including joints, fittings and pipe material—when exposed to combined thermal and mechanical stress. The method is widely applied in systems intended for hot and cold water applications, where temperature variations are inherent to operation.

How does the ISO 19893 test work?

At its core, the ISO 19893 test simulates operational conditions by repeatedly exposing a pipe assembly to alternating hot and cold water while maintaining internal pressure.

The test setup includes a mounted assembly of pipes and fittings that is:

• subjected to alternating temperature cycles using hot and cold water
• maintained under internal pressure throughout the test
• exposed to mechanical constraints such as tensile stress and bending
• monitored continuously for leakage or failure

The alternating temperature profile induces repeated expansion and contraction, while mechanical loading ensures that the test reflects realistic installation stresses. The objective is to verify that the system maintains integrity without leakage across all cycles.

Typical ISO 19893 test procedure

A standard temperature cycling test sequence typically includes the following steps:

1. Prepare and assemble the test configuration according to the relevant system standard
2. Condition the test assembly at controlled ambient conditions
3. Fill the system with water and remove trapped air
4. Apply the required internal pressure
5. Initiate alternating cycles of cold and hot water at specified temperatures
6. Control cycle duration and temperature transitions within defined tolerances
7. Maintain mechanical stresses such as tensile loading and bending where required
8. Monitor temperature stability, pressure and system behaviour throughout the test
9. Inspect for leakage during and after the specified number of cycles

A key requirement is maintaining precise temperature control and ensuring that transitions between hot and cold phases occur within defined limits, as these transitions are critical to the stress profile imposed on the system.

Test setup and parameters

ISO 19893 does not operate as a standalone performance specification but rather as a method framework. The exact parameters—such as temperature levels, pressure, cycle duration and number of cycles—are defined by the relevant product or system standard referencing ISO 19893.

Typical parameters include:

• defined hot and cold temperature levels
• controlled cycle times for heating and cooling phases
• internal pressure maintained throughout testing
• tensile stress applied to selected pipe sections
• bending constraints in specific parts of the assembly
• total number of cycles (often including an initial stabilization phase)

The test assembly itself is carefully designed to represent different mechanical conditions, including fixed sections, free-moving sections and bent pipe configurations. This ensures that the evaluation captures the complexity of real installations.

Test assembly of temperature cycling test figure:

Automating temperature cycling tests – what are the benefits?

Given the duration and complexity of ISO 19893 testing, automation plays a key role in achieving reliable and reproducible results.

Automated systems offer:

• high precision temperature control during both hot and cold phases
• repeatable cycle timing and controlled transitions
• continuous data logging of temperature and pressure
• improved test repeatability across multiple samples
• reduced operator dependency during long test sequences

In addition, automated monitoring allows early detection of anomalies such as leakage, temperature deviation or pressure instability—factors that are critical for both R&D and certification testing.

Temperature cycling testing for modern piping systems

As plastic piping systems become more advanced and are used in increasingly demanding applications, the relevance of temperature cycling testing continues to grow. Multi-layer pipes, composite materials and new joining technologies all introduce variables that must be validated under realistic service conditions.

ISO 19893 provides a structured way to assess these systems holistically. Rather than focusing on isolated properties, it evaluates how materials, joints and assembly design interact under thermal stress—making it a cornerstone test for product development, approval and quality assurance.

Test solutions for ISO 19893 applications

Executing ISO 19893 testing requires precise control of temperature, pressure and flow, combined with flexible handling of different pipe configurations.

Modern temperature cycling systems are designed to support these requirements through:

• multiple independent test stations for parallel testing
• accurate flow and temperature regulation per sample
• real-time visualization of test conditions
• configurable test parameters for both standard compliance and R&D work

SCITEQ Temperature Cyling Test solution

SCITEQ’s Temperature Cycling Test System is developed with these principles in mind. The system enables individual control of multiple test strings, high-accuracy temperature regulation and real-time monitoring through the browser-based interface, SIGMA software. This allows laboratories and manufacturers to perform ISO 19893 testing with a high degree of control, transparency and repeatability—while maintaining the flexibility needed for evolving system standards and product development.

SIGMA control software for temperature cycling test

• One page overview
• Easy recipe system
• Full real-time monitoring view
• Dynamically adjusted real-time finish time
• Multiple simultaneous users & four user levels
• SQL database. OPC, UA and CRA compatible

Hot and cold cycles test curve and PI-diagram showing the reservoir setup on the SCITEQ temperature test.

SIGMA control software – real-time overview of the 6 test strings

Learn more about SCITEQ temperature cycling test

For a closer look at the temperature cycling test system visit  SCITEQ YouTube. Here you will find videos of the solution.

Contact us for further information