API 5L Standard Line Pipe (API Line Pipe) – API 5L Seamless Pipe (API Seamless Pipe) of API 5L Material Grades: API 5L Gr B (API 5L B), API 5L Gr B PSL2, API 5L X42, API 5L X60 (X60 Pipe), API 5L X65 (API 5L X65 Pipe), API 5L X70 (X70 Pipe), API 5L X80, with PSL2 Pipe & API Sch 40 Pipe | Compliance with API Pipe Standard & API Pipe Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Grades | API 5L B, X42, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70, X80 |
| Specification Level | PSL1, PSL2 |
| Outer Diameter Range | 1/2” – 40” (includes 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 16”, 18”, 20”, 24”) |
| Wall Thickness (Schedule) | SCH 10, 20, 40, STD, 80, XS, up to 160 |
| Manufacturing Types | Seamless (hot rolled / cold rolled), ERW (Electric Resistance Welded), SAW (LSAW, DSAW, SSAW, HSAW) |
| Pipe Ends | Beveled or Plain |
| Length Options | SRL (Single Random), DRL (Double Random), 20FT (6m), 40FT (12m), or customized |
| Protection Caps | Plastic or Iron |
| Surface Treatment / Coating Options | Natural, Varnished, Black Painting, FBE, 3PE (3LPE), 3PP, CWC (Concrete Weight Coated), CRA Clad or Lined |
API5L pipe is a tube of carbon steel that is used in the conveyance of oil and gas. It is also employed to carry other liquids like steam, water and mud.
The API 5L specification covers both welded and seamless fabrication types.
| Type | Description | Typical Application / Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| ERW | Electric Resistance Welded | Diameters < 24 inches |
| DSAW / SAW | Double-sided Submerged Arc Welded / Submerged Arc Welded | Larger diameter pipes, alternative to ERW |
| LSAW | Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded (JCOE process) | Diameters up to 48 inches |
| SSAW / HSAW | Spiral Submerged Arc Welded / Helical SAW | Diameters up to 100 inches |
Seamless Pipe Types: Hot-rolled Seamless Pipe and Cold-rolled Seamless Pipe
Seamless pipe is typically used for small diameter pipes (typically less than 24 inches).
(Seamless steel pipe is more commonly used than welded pipe for pipe diameters less than 150 mm (6 inches).
We also offer large diameter seamless pipe. Using a hot-rolled manufacturing process, we can produce seamless pipe up to 20 inches (508 mm) in diameter. If you require seamless pipe larger than 20 inches in diameter, we can produce it using a hot-expanded process up to 40 inches (1016 mm) in diameter.
API 5L covers Grade B, X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70, and X80.
API 5L steel pipe utilizes various steel grades, including Grade B, X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70, and X80. As the steel grade increases, the carbon equivalent control becomes stricter and the mechanical strength properties become higher.
In addition, the chemical composition of API 5L seamless and welded pipes of the same steel grade differs, with welded pipes having more stringent requirements and lower carbon and sulfur contents.
Chemical Composition for PSL 1 pipe with t ≤ 0.984” |
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| Steel Grade | Mass fraction, % based on heat and product analyses a,g | ||||||
| C | Mn | P | S | V | Nb | Ti | |
| max b | max b | max | max | max | max | max | |
| Seamless Pipe | |||||||
| A | 0.22 | 0.9 | 0.03 | 0.03 | – | – | – |
| B | 0.28 | 1.2 | 0.03 | 0.03 | c,d | c,d | d |
| X42 | 0.28 | 1.3 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X46 | 0.28 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X52 | 0.28 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X56 | 0.28 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X60 | 0.28 e | 1.40 e | 0.03 | 0.03 | f | f | f |
| X65 | 0.28 e | 1.40 e | 0.03 | 0.03 | f | f | f |
| X70 | 0.28 e | 1.40 e | 0.03 | 0.03 | f | f | f |
| Welded Pipe | |||||||
| A | 0.22 | 0.9 | 0.03 | 0.03 | – | – | – |
| B | 0.26 | 1.2 | 0.03 | 0.03 | c,d | c,d | d |
| X42 | 0.26 | 1.3 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X46 | 0.26 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X52 | 0.26 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X56 | 0.26 | 1.4 | 0.03 | 0.03 | d | d | d |
| X60 | 0.26 e | 1.40 e | 0.03 | 0.03 | f | f | f |
| X65 | 0.26 e | 1.45 e | 0.03 | 0.03 | f | f | f |
| X70 | 0.26e | 1.65 e | 0.03 | 0.03 | f | f | f |
| a. Cu ≤ = 0.50% Ni; ≤ 0.50%; Cr ≤ 0.50%; and Mo ≤ 0.15%, | |||||||
| b. Mn may be increased by 0.05% for each 0.01% reduction in C, with grade-specific limits of 1.65%, 1.75%, and 2.00%. | |||||||
| c. Unless otherwise agreed NB + V ≤ 0.06%, | |||||||
| d. Nb + V + TI ≤ 0.15%, | |||||||
| e. Unless otherwise agreed., | |||||||
| f. Unless otherwise agreed, NB + V = Ti ≤ 0.15%, | |||||||
| g. No deliberate addition of B is permitted and the residual B ≤ 0.001% | |||||||
| Chemical Composition for PSL 2 pipe with t ≤ 0.984” | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Steel Grade | Mass fraction, % based on heat and product analyses | Carbon Equiv a | |||||||||||||||||||
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | V | Nb | Ti | Other | CE IIW | CE Pcm | |||||||||||
| max b | max | max b | max | max | max | max | max | max | max | ||||||||||||
| Seamless and Welded Pipe | |||||||||||||||||||||
| BR | 0.24 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.025 | 0.015 | c | c | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X42R | 0.24 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| BN | 0.24 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.025 | 0.015 | c | c | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X42N | 0.24 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X46N | 0.24 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.04 | d,e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X52N | 0.24 | 0.45 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.1 | 0.05 | 0.04 | d,e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X56N | 0.24 | 0.45 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.10f | 0.05 | 0.04 | d,e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X60N | 0.24f | 0.45f | 1.40f | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.10f | 0.05f | 0.04f | g,h,l | As agreed | |||||||||||
| BQ | 0.18 | 0.45 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X42Q | 0.18 | 0.45 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X46Q | 0.18 | 0.45 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X52Q | 0.18 | 0.45 | 1.5 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X56Q | 0.18 | 0.45f | 1.5 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X60Q | 0.18f | 0.45f | 1.70f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | h,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X65Q | 0.18f | 0.45f | 1.70f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | h,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X70Q | 0.18f | 0.45f | 1.80f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | h,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X80Q | 0.18f | 0.45f | 1.90f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | i,j | As agreed | |||||||||||
| X90Q | 0.16f | 0.45f | 1.9 | 0.02 | 0.01 | g | g | g | j,k | As agreed | |||||||||||
| X100Q | 0.16f | 0.45f | 1.9 | 0.02 | 0.01 | g | g | g | j,k | As agreed | |||||||||||
| Welded Pipe | |||||||||||||||||||||
| BM | 0.22 | 0.45 | 1.2 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X42M | 0.22 | 0.45 | 1.3 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X46M | 0.22 | 0.45 | 1.3 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X52M | 0.22 | 0.45 | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | d | d | d | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X56M | 0.22 | 0.45f | 1.4 | 0.025 | 0.015 | d | d | d | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X60M | 0.12f | 0.45f | 1.60f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | h,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X65M | 0.12f | 0.45f | 1.60f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | h,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X70M | 0.12f | 0.45f | 1.70f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | h,l | 0.43 | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X80M | 0.12f | 0.45f | 1.85f | 0.025 | 0.015 | g | g | g | i,j | .043f | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X90M | 0.1 | 0.55f | 2.10f | 0.02 | 0.01 | g | g | g | i,j | – | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| X100M | 0.1 | 0.55f | 2.10f | 0.02 | 0.01 | g | g | g | i,j | – | 0.25 | ||||||||||
| a. SMLS t>0.787”, CE limits shall be as agreed. The CEIIW limits applied fi C > 0.12% and the CEPcm limits apply if C ≤ 0.12%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| b. Mn may be raised by 0.05% for every 0.01% decrease in C, with grade related upper limits at 1.65%, 1.75%, 2.00% and 2.20%. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| c. Unless otherwise agreed Nb = V ≤ 0.06%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| d. Nb = V = Ti ≤ 0.15%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| e. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50%; Ni ≤ 0.30% Cr ≤ 0.30% and Mo ≤ 0.15%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| f. Unless otherwise agreed, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| g. Unless otherwise agreed, Nb + V + Ti ≤ 0.15%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| h. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50% Ni ≤ 0.50% Cr ≤ 0.50% and MO ≤ 0.50%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| i. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50% Ni ≤ 1.00% Cr ≤ 0.50% and MO ≤ 0.50%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| j. B ≤ 0.004%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| k. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50% Ni ≤ 1.00% Cr ≤ 0.55% and MO ≤ 0.80%, | |||||||||||||||||||||
| l. For all PSL 2 pipe grades except those grades with footnotes j noted, the following applies. Unless otherwise agreed no intentional addition of B is permitted and residual B ≤ 0.001%. | |||||||||||||||||||||
PSL1
| Delivery Condition | Pipe Grade |
| As-rolled, normalized, normalizing formed | A |
| As-rolled, normalizing rolled, thermomechanical rolled, thermo-mechanical formed, normalizing formed, normalized, or normalized & tempered (or Q&T SMLS if agreed) | B |
| As-rolled, normalizing rolled, thermomechanical rolled, thermo-mechanical formed, normalizing formed, normalized, or normalized & tempered | X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70 |
PSL2
| Delivery Condition | Pipe Grade |
| As-rolled | BR, X42R |
| Normalizing rolled / formed, normalized, or normalized & tempered | BN, X42N, X46N, X52N, X56N, X60N |
| Quenched & tempered | BQ, X42Q, X46Q, X56Q, X60Q, X65Q, X70Q, X80Q, X90Q, X100Q |
| Thermomechanical rolled / formed | BM, X42M, X46M, X56M, X60M, X65M, X70M, X80M |
| Thermomechanical rolled only | X90M, X100M, X120M |
Note: For PSL2 grades, the suffix (R, N, Q, or M) is part of the steel grade designation.
PSL stands for Product Specification Level, which includes PSL1 and PSL2. It can also be understood as a quality grade.
PSL1 and PSL2 differ not only in testing requirements but also in chemical composition and mechanical properties.
PSL2 has stricter requirements than PSL1 in terms of chemical composition, tensile properties, impact test, non-destructive testing, etc.
Impact Testing
PSL1 does not require impact testing, while PSL2 (except X80) does.
Non-destructive Testing
PSL1 does not require non-destructive testing, while PSL2 does.
(The inspection of API 5L pipes is performed by NDT methods like radiographic, ultrasonic or any other NDT techniques. This testing can find defects or imperfections in the pipe material without destroying it.)
Packing
1.Packaging InformationStandard packaging bare pipes with heavy steel wire strapping.
2.Optional: anti rust and customized packaging to better protect the product and for better presentation.
Transportation & Handling Precautions
1.Prost: against impact, pressure and cutting during transportation, storage and handling.
2.Safety: Utilize SOP for chemicals to minimize risk of fire/explosion/tfa contamination.
3.Work environment: Do not expose to high temperature, Corrosive media or other severe environment. Pipe made from high temperature material, or corrosion resistant material for such applications.
4.Selection Criteria: The selection of pipe material and class should be performed with regard to environment, media, pressure and temperature and specific project requirements.
5.Inspection Before Use: Do the checking and the tests that are necessary to confirm that the quality and standards of the pipe are met.
Transportation: Express (Sample Delivery), Air, Rail, Land, Sea shipping (FCL or LCL or Bulk)
1.What is difference of PSL1 and PSL2?
PSL2 chemical, mechanical, testing requirements are more rigorous than those of PSL1, offer superior quality and reliability for asset critical pipeline.
2.What are grades of pipes?
Grades available are B, X42, X46, X5, X60, X65, X70, X80, X90 Plus many more grades can be achieved through different delivery conditions such as-as-rolled, Normalized, Quenched & tempered or Thermomechanically rolled.
3.What kinds of pipes you have?
We can provide SEAMLESS (SMLS),ERW, LSAW, DSAW , SSAW, and HSAW pipes according to different project needs.
4.What coatings and surface treatment are provided?
Options are Natural mill finish, black painted, FBE, 3PE (3LPE), 3PP, CWC (Concrete Weight Coated), CRA clad or lined.
5.How to choose the right grade pipe?
Choose based on operating pressure, temperature, type of medium and environment. Our technical team is available for helpful advice.












