API 5L X52 Pipe Specifications

API 5L X52 Pipe Specifications

API 5L X52 pipes are critical in oil and gas pipelines, offering excellent performance and versatility. This comprehensive guide explores their characteristics, manufacturing processes, and benefits, focusing on key details to improve understanding.

What is API 5L X52 Pipe?

API 5L X52 pipes are part of the API 5L specification, designed for transporting petroleum and natural gas. This grade, also known as L360, refers to its minimum yield strength of 360 MPa. These pipes are manufactured in seamless or welded forms and meet the stringent requirements of modern pipeline applications.

Available in two product specification levels (PSL1 and PSL2), these pipes are ideal for various industrial uses. The choice of PSL level depends on operational needs, such as pressure, temperature, and environmental conditions.

The Manufacturing Process of API 5L X52 Pipes

Producing API 5L X52 pipes requires advanced techniques to ensure durability and reliability. Steel used for these pipes comes from processes like basic oxygen, electric furnace, or open hearth methods.
For PSL2 pipes, fine-grain practices are mandatory. This ensures uniformity in composition and performance. Plates or coils for these pipes must not contain any repair welds, maintaining structural integrity.

Types of Welding Used

ERW (Electric Resistance Welding): Used for pipes up to 24 inches in diameter.
LSAW (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welding): Suitable for diameters up to 56 inches.
SSAW (Spirally Submerged Arc Welding): Designed for diameters up to 100 inches.
These methods provide flexibility in production, ensuring the pipes meet different project requirements.

Types and Grades of API 5L X52 Pipes

PSL1 and PSL2 Variants
API 5L X52 pipes are available in two levels: PSL1 and PSL2. PSL1 pipes are the basic quality level, while PSL2 pipes have stricter quality controls. PSL2 is preferred for high-pressure and sour service environments.

Delivery Conditions

As Rolled (R): Standard delivery for PSL1.
Normalized (N): Provides better toughness and uniformity.
Thermomechanical Rolling (M): Ideal for high-stress applications.
Quenched and Tempered (Q): Enhances strength and resistance.
Sour service grades, marked as "NS," "MS," or "QS," offer added protection against hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) corrosion.

Mechanical Properties of API 5L X52 Pipes

API 5L X52 pipes have exceptional mechanical properties, making them suitable for demanding applications. Their minimum yield strength is 360 MPa, with tensile strength reaching 460 MPa.

These pipes are designed to handle high pressure and stress without compromising performance. To accommodate varying conditions, wall thickness adjustments or higher-grade materials may be necessary.

Testing and Quality Assurance for API 5L X52 Pipes

Thorough testing is vital to ensure these pipes meet safety and quality standards. Several tests are conducted, including:
Hydrostatic Test: Ensures no leaks in the weld seam or pipe body.
Bend Test: Confirms resistance to cracking under deformation.
Flattening Test: Evaluates resistance to longitudinal and circumferential cracking.
Guided Bend Test: Detects any fractures or ruptures in welds.
CVN Impact Test: Assesses impact resistance in the pipe body and heat-affected zones.

Each test is designed to guarantee the pipes' performance in real-world conditions.

X52 PSL2 vs PSL1 Comparision

API 5L X52 (L360) PSL2 the maximum chemical content is different than PSL1; As well as the mechanical strength, is more strictly.

Applications of API 5L X52 Pipes

API 5L X52 pipes are widely used in various industries. They are primarily employed in oil and gas pipelines for long-distance transportation.
These pipes are also valuable in petrochemical plants, where high-pressure systems demand reliable materials. Offshore platforms and other structural applications benefit from their strength and durability.

Advantages of API 5L X52 Pipes

API 5L X52 pipes offer several benefits, including high strength, excellent toughness, and resistance to corrosion. Their versatility makes them suitable for onshore and offshore projects.
Additionally, their wide range of sizes and grades ensures compatibility with different operational needs. These pipes provide long-lasting performance, even in harsh environments.

API 5L X52 pipes are essential for modern pipeline infrastructure. Their robust properties, combined with strict manufacturing standards, ensure they meet the highest industry requirements. Whether for oil, gas, or other industrial uses, these pipes deliver reliability and efficiency.

Chemical Element of API 5L Grade X52 Lsaw Pipe

Grade	C max	Mn max	P		S max	V max	Nb max	Ti max
			min	max
B	0.28	1.2	-	0.03	0.03	c.d	c,d	d
X52	0.28	1.4	-	0.03	0.03	d	d	d

API 5L X52 Seamless Pipes Chemical properties

API 5L-PSL 2 Chemical Requirements
Grade	Composition, %
	C	Si	Mn	P	S	V	Nb	Ti	Other
BN	0.24	0.4	1.2	0.025	0.015	c	c	0.04	e,l
X52N	0.24	0.45	1.4	0.025	0.015	0.1	0.1	0.04	d,e,l
BQ	0.18	0.45	1.4	0.025	0.015	0.05	0.05	0.04	e,l
X52Q	0.18	0.45	1.5	0.025	0.015	0.05	0.05	0.04	e,l

Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	V	Nb	Ti
API 5L X52	0.16	0.45	1.65	0.020	0.010	0.07	0.05	0.04

Wall Thickness of API 5L X52m Pipe

NPS (in)	Outside Diameter (in)	API 5L X52 Pipe Schedule
		SCH 10	SCH 20	SCH 30	SCH STD	SCH 40	SCH 60	SCH XS	SCH 80	SCH 100	SCH 120	SCH 140	SCH 160	SCH XXS
		Wall Thickness (in)
1/8	0.405				0.068	0.068		0.095	0.095
1/4	0.540				0.088	0.088		0.119	0.119
3/8	0.675				0.091	0.091		0.126	0.126
1/2	0.840				0.109	0.109		0.147	0.147				0.187	0.294
3/4	1.050				0.113	0.113		0.154	0.154				0.219	0.308
1	1.315				0.133	0.133		0.179	0.179				0.250	0.358
1 1/4	1.660				0.140	0.140		0.191	0.191				0.250	0.382
1 1/2	1.900				0.145	0.145		0.200	0.200				0.281	0.400
2	2.375				0.154	0.154		0.218	0.218				0.344	0.436
2 1/2	2.875				0.203	0.203		0.276	0.276				0.375	0.552
3	3.500				0.216	0.216		0.300	0.300				0.438	0.600
3 1/2	4.000				0.226	0.226		0.318	0.318
4	4.500				0.237	0.237		0.337	0.337		0.438		0.531	0.674
5	5.563				0.258	0.258		0.375	0.375		0.500		0.625	0.750
6	6.625				0.280	0.280		0.432	0.432		0.562		0.719	0.864
8	8.625		0.250	0.277	0.322	0.322	0.406	0.500	0.500	0.594	0.719	0.812	0.906	0.875
10	10.750		0.250	0.307	0.365	0.365	0.500	0.500	0.594	0.719	0.844	1.000	1.125	1.000
12	12.750		0.250	0.330	0.375	0.406	0.562	0.500	0.688	0.844	1.000	1.125	1.312	1.000
14	14.000	0.250	0.312	0.375	0.375	0.438	0.594	0.500	0.750	0.938	1.094	1.250	1.406
16	16.000	0.250	0.312	0.375	0.375	0.500	0.656	0.500	0.844	1.031	1.219	1.438	1.594
18	18.000	0.250	0.312	0.438	0.375	0.562	0.750	0.500	0.938	1.156	1.375	1.562	1.781
20	20.000	0.250	0.375	0.500	0.375	0.594	0.812	0.500	1.031	1.281	1.500	1.750	1.969
22	22.000	0.250	0.375	0.500	0.375		0.875	0.500	1.125	1.375	1.625	1.875	2.125
24	24.000	0.250	0.375	0.562	0.375	0.688	0.969	0.500	1.219	1.531	1.812	2.062	2.344
30	30.000	0.312	0.500	0.625	0.375			0.500
32	32.000	0.312	0.500	0.625	0.375	0.688
34	34.000	0.312	0.500	0.625	0.375	0.688
36	36.000	0.312	0.500	0.625	0.375	0.750
42	42.000		0.500	0.625	0.375	0.750