API 5L PSL1 Pipe API 5L PSL2 Pipe Welded Pipe specification

May 20, 2025

API 5L PSL1 Pipe API 5L PSL2 Pipe Welded Pipe specification

API 5L PSL1 Pipe is a steel pipe that is commonly used for pipeline transport systems in the oil and natural gas industries. World iron&steel is a professional manufacturer, exporter and supplier of carbon steel pipes in China. Our products including API 5L GR. B X42 Pipe, X52 Pipe, X56 Pipe, X60 Pipe, X65 Pipe, X70 Pipe in seamless and welding.

API5L PSL1 tube including:
X42 PSL1 tube;
X46 PSL1 tube;

X52 PSL1 tube;
X56 PSL1 tube;
X60 PSL1 tube;
X65 PSL1 tube;
X70 PSL1 tube.

API 5L PSL-2 is one of the levels in the API 5L standard indicates the minimum requirements that line pipe products must meet to be compliant with the standard. PSL-1 is the entry-level, and it covers basic chemical and mechanical properties, such as strength and toughness. PSL-2 is the higher level, and it has stricter requirements for chemical composition, mechanical properties, weldability, and nondestructive testing. To meet the PSL-2 quality requirements, manufacturers must undergo a more stringent testing regime during production. As a result, products that are certified to PSL-2 are typical of a higher quality than those certified to PSL-1.

PSLDelivery ConditionPipe grade

PSL1

As-rolled, normalized, normalizing formed

As-rolled, normalizing rolled, thermomechanical rolled, thermo-mechanical formed, normalizing formed, normalized, normalized and tempered or if agreed Q&T SMLS only

As-rolled, normalizing rolled, thermomechanical rolled, thermo-mechanical formed, normalizing formed, normalized, normalized and tempered

X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70

PSL 2

As-rolled

BR, X42R

Normalizing rolled, normalizing formed, normalized or normalized and tempered

BN, X42N, X46N, X52N, X56N, X60N

Quenched and tempered

BQ, X42Q, X46Q, X56Q, X60Q, X65Q, X70Q, X80Q, X90Q, X100Q

Thermomechanical rolled or thermomechanical formed

BM, X42M, X46M, X56M, X60M, X65M, X70M, X80M

Thermomechanical rolled

X90M, X100M, X120M

The suffice (R, N, Q or M) for PSL2 grades, belongs to the steel grade

PSL	Delivery Condition	Pipe grade
PSL1	As-rolled, normalized, normalizing formed	A
	As-rolled, normalizing rolled, thermomechanical rolled, thermo-mechanical formed, normalizing formed, normalized, normalized and tempered or if agreed Q&T SMLS only	B
	As-rolled, normalizing rolled, thermomechanical rolled, thermo-mechanical formed, normalizing formed, normalized, normalized and tempered	X42, X46, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70
PSL 2	As-rolled	BR, X42R
	Normalizing rolled, normalizing formed, normalized or normalized and tempered	BN, X42N, X46N, X52N, X56N, X60N
	Quenched and tempered	BQ, X42Q, X46Q, X56Q, X60Q, X65Q, X70Q, X80Q, X90Q, X100Q
	Thermomechanical rolled or thermomechanical formed	BM, X42M, X46M, X56M, X60M, X65M, X70M, X80M
	Thermomechanical rolled	X90M, X100M, X120M
	The suffice (R, N, Q or M) for PSL2 grades, belongs to the steel grade

Chemical requirements

Chemical Composition for PSL 1 pipe with t ≤ 0.984”

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	0.3	0.3	–	–	–
B	0.28	1.2	0.3	0.3	c,d	c,d	d
X42	0.28	1.3	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X46	0.28	1.4	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X52	0.28	1.4	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X56	0.28	1.4	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X60	0.28 e	1.40 e	0.3	0.3	f	f	f
X65	0.28 e	1.40 e	0.3	0.3	f	f	f
X70	0.28 e	1.40 e	0.3	0.3	f	f	f
Welded Pipe
A	0.22	0.9	0.3	0.3	–	–	–
B	0.26	1.2	0.3	0.3	c,d	c,d	d
X42	0.26	1.3	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X46	0.26	1.4	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X52	0.26	1.4	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X56	0.26	1.4	0.3	0.3	d	d	d
X60	0.26 e	1.40 e	0.3	0.3	f	f	f
X65	0.26 e	1.45 e	0.3	0.3	f	f	f
X70	0.26e	1.65 e	0.3	0.3	f	f	f
a. Cu ≤ = 0.50% Ni; ≤ 0.50%; Cr ≤ 0.50%; and Mo ≤ 0.15%, b. For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified maximum concentration for carbon, an increase of 0.05% above the specified maximum concentration for Mn is permissible, up to a maximum of 1.65% for grades ≥ L245 or B, but ≤ L360 or X52; up to a maximum of 1.75% for grades > L360 or X52, but < L485 or X70; and up to a maximum of 2.00% for grade L485 or X70., 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		Other		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. For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified maximum for C, an increase of 0.05% above the specified maximum for Mn is permissible, up to a maximum of 1.65% for grades ≥ L245 or B, but ≤ L360 or X52; up to a maximum of 1.75% for grades > L360 or X52, but < L485 or X70; up to a maximum of 2.00% for grades ≥ L485 or X70, but ≤ L555 or X80; and up to a maximum of 2.20% for grades > L555 or X80., 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%.

Mechanical properties

Pipe Grade	Tensile Properties – Pipe Body of SMLS and Welded Pipes PSL 1			The seam of Welded Pipe
	Yield Strength a	Tensile Strength a	Elongation	Tensile Strength b
	Rt0,5 PSI Min	Rm PSI Min	(in 2in Af % min)	Rm PSI Min
A	30,500	48,600	c	48,600
B	35,500	60,200	c	60,200
X42	42,100	60,200	c	60,200
X46	46,400	63,100	c	63,100
X52	52,200	66,700	c	66,700
X56	56,600	71,100	c	71,100
X60	60,200	75,400	c	75,400
X65	65,300	77,500	c	77,500
X70	70,300	82,700	c	82,700
a. For intermediate grade, the difference between the specified minimum tensile strength and the specified minimum yield for the pipe body shall be as given for the next higher grade.
b. For the intermediate grades, the specified minimum tensile strength for the weld seam shall be the same as determined for the body using footnote a.
c. The specified minimum elongation, Af, expressed in percent and rounded to the nearest percent, shall be determined using the following equation:

Where C is 1 940 for calculation using Si units and 625 000 for calculation using USC units
Ax is the applicable tensile test piece cross-sectional area, expressed in square millimeters (square inches) , as follows
– For circular cross-section test pieces, 130mm2 (0.20 in2) for 12.7 mm (0.500 in) and 8.9 mm (.350 in) diameter test pieces; and 65 mm2 (0.10 in2) for 6.4 mm (0.250in) diameter test pieces.
– For full-section test pieces, the lesser of a) 485 mm2 (0.75 in2) and b) the cross-sectional area of the test piece, derived using the specified outside diameter and the specified wall thickness of the pipe, rounded to the nearest 10 mm2 (0.10in2)
– For strip test pieces, the lesser of a) 485 mm2 (0.75 in2) and b) the cross-sectional area of the test piece, derived using the specified width of the test piece and the specified wall thickness of the pipe, rounded to the nearest 10 mm2 (0.10in2)
U is the specified minimum tensile strength, expressed in megapascals (pounds per square inch)

Pipe Grade	Tensile Properties – Pipe Body of SMLS and Welded Pipes PSL 2						The seam of Welded Pipe
	Yield Strength a		Tensile Strength a		Ratio a,c	Elongation	Tensile Strength d
	Rt0,5 PSI Min		Rm PSI Min		R10,5IRm	(in 2in)	Rm (psi)
						Af %
	Minimum	Maximum	Minimum	Maximum	Maximum	Minimum	Minimum
BR, BN,BQ,BM	35,500	65,300	60,200	95,000	0.93	f	60,200
X42,X42R,X2Q,X42M	42,100	71,800	60,200	95,000	0.93	f	60,200
X46N,X46Q,X46M	46,400	76,100	63,100	95,000	0.93	f	63,100
X52N,X52Q,X52M	52,200	76,900	66,700	110,200	0.93	f	66,700
X56N,X56Q,X56M	56,600	79,000	71,100	110,200	0.93	f	71,100
X60N,X60Q,S60M	60,200	81,900	75,400	110,200	0.93	f	75,400
X65Q,X65M	65,300	87,000	77,600	110,200	0.93	f	76,600
X70Q,X65M	70,300	92,100	82,700	110,200	0.93	f	82,700
X80Q, X80M	80,.500	102,300	90,600	119,700	0.93	f	90,600
a. For intermediate grade, refer to the full API5L specification.