Over the past forty years or more, the natural gas distribution industry in the U.S. has made a remarkable transformation from a near-exclusive metallic distribution piping network to a near-exclusive thermoplastic piping distribution network, primarily driven by the development, implementation and constant upgrading of one standard: ASTM D-2513, “Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe, Tubing and Fittings”. This transformation from metal to plastic has saved U.S. natural gas utilities in excess of $10 billion in installation and maintenance costs over this period of time.