Seamless line pipe manufactured to API 5L / ISO 3183 in PSL1 and PSL2, grades B through X80. Hot-rolled and cold-drawn, suitable for oil, gas and water transmission lines in sizes up to 40 inch.
- Standard: API 5L, ISO 3183, ASME B36.10
- Grades: Grade B, X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70, X80
Specifications
| Outer diameter | 1/2" - 40" (12.7 - 1016 mm) |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | SCH 10 - SCH 160 (2.11 - 50.01 mm) |
| Length | SRL 5.8 m, DRL 11.8 m, 20 FT, 40 FT, or custom 5 - 18 m |
| Ends | Plain end, beveled end, threaded with coupling |
| Surface treatment | Black painting, varnish, 3PE/3LPE, FBE, 3PP |
| Manufacturing process | Hot rolled seamless, cold drawn |
What Is API 5L Seamless Steel Pipe?
API 5L is the specification published by the American Petroleum Institute for line pipe used in the transportation of oil, gas and water. A seamless pipe is produced by piercing a solid steel billet and rolling it into a hollow shell, so the finished pipe has no longitudinal weld seam. This makes it the preferred choice where the highest integrity is required, because there is no weld seam to act as a stress concentrator or a preferential corrosion path. Seamless line pipe is typically available from NPS 1/8 inch up to about 24 inch as standard, with larger sizes available on request up to 40 inch. It is normally supplied in the as-rolled or normalized condition and is suitable for both onshore and offshore transmission lines.
PSL1 vs PSL2 – Which Product Specification Level Do You Need?
API 5L defines two product specification levels. PSL1 is the standard quality level: it specifies the basic chemical and mechanical requirements and is generally used for lower-risk applications where price is the driving factor. PSL2 is the more demanding level. It adds limits on maximum carbon, sulfur and phosphorus content, requires a maximum carbon equivalent for weldability, mandates charpy V-notch impact testing, and permits the additional grade suffixes N (normalized), Q (quenched and tempered), M (thermomechanical rolled) and S (sour service). If your project calls for a pipe that must resist hydrogen-induced cracking in wet H2S service, you need PSL2 with the S suffix, tested to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156.
Grade Equivalents and How to Specify
API 5L Grade B is the most widely specified line pipe grade and is equivalent in minimum yield strength (245 MPa / 35,000 psi) to ASTM A106 Grade B and ASTM A53 Grade B. Above Grade B the grades climb by yield strength: X42 (290 MPa), X46 (320 MPa), X52 (359 MPa), X56 (386 MPa), X60 (414 MPa), X65 (448 MPa), X70 (483 MPa) and X80 (551 MPa). Higher grades allow a thinner wall for the same pressure rating, which reduces steel weight and total project cost – but they also demand tighter welding control. When requesting a quotation, specify: the standard and grade, PSL level, nominal size and wall thickness or schedule, length range, end finish, coating, and whether charpy impact or sour service testing is required.
What is the difference between API 5L Grade B and ASTM A106 Grade B?
Both have the same minimum yield strength of 245 MPa (35,000 psi) and a similar minimum tensile strength of 415 MPa. The difference is the application each standard is written for. ASTM A106 is intended for high-temperature service and requires seamless construction, so it is the standard choice for boiler and process piping. API 5L is written for pipeline transportation and permits both seamless and welded construction. In practice the same seamless pipe is often produced and certified to both standards, which is why it is sometimes called “three standards pipe” together with ASTM A53.
What is the maximum size of API 5L seamless pipe?
Seamless pipe is commonly produced up to 24 inch outside diameter. Sizes between 24 inch and 40 inch can be supplied but availability and price vary considerably by mill. Above 40 inch, welded pipe (LSAW or SSAW) becomes the practical and economical choice because the seamless piercing process cannot produce larger diameters efficiently.
Can you supply pipe with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification?
Yes. Every shipment is released with a mill test certificate as standard, and EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification can be provided when specified at the order stage. For 3.2 certification the document is countersigned by an independent third-party inspector nominated by the purchaser, typically SGS, BV or TUV. Heat number traceability is maintained from the steel billet through to the finished pipe and is printed on the pipe body when required.
Materials
- Carbon steel
Typical applications
- Oil and gas transmission pipelines
- Water supply and drainage lines
- Slurry and chemical transportation
- Refinery and petrochemical process piping
- Power plant and industrial piping systems
Inspection & testing
- 100% ultrasonic testing (UT)
- Radiographic testing (RT) on request
- Hydrostatic pressure test
- Eddy current testing
- Chemical composition analysis
- Tensile, yield and elongation testing
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV)
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