Line Pipe: A Comprehensive Guide to Types and Standards

A line pipe is a pipe used to transport fluids such as oil, gas, and water over long distances. It is an indispensable existence in the pipeline system of modern industrial field. With carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel and other types, and a variety of standard line pipe.

What Are Line Pipes?

Line pipe is a type of steel pipe line used for petroleum, natural gas, oil, and water transportation. Most of the steel pipe lines are used in regions with severe natural conditions, such as polar regions, ice fields, deserts and oceans, etc. The lines are long and not easy to maintain, which requested strict quality requirements and specifications. The pipe line steel consists of seamless and welded steel tubes according to its manufacturing methods and made of high strength carbon steel., which can be laid in cold, high-sulfur areas or under the sea.

Types of Steel Line Pipes

Steel line pipes are commonly used in the transportation of petroleum, natural gas, and water, offering versatility and reliability. Depending on the application and environmental conditions, these pipes are manufactured from various materials and standards. The most commonly used materials include:

1.Carbon Steel Line Pipes

Characteristics: Known for their superior strength and excellent machinability. Carbon steel pipes are categorized based on carbon content:
Mild Carbon Steel: 0.1%–0.3% carbon content.
Medium Carbon Steel: 0.3%–0.6% carbon content.
High Carbon Steel: 0.6%–1.0% carbon content.

2.Alloy Steel Line Pipes

Characteristics: Made from chromium-molybdenum or nickel-chromium alloys, alloy steel pipes offer improved resistance to corrosion and high-temperature environments.

3.Stainless Steel Line Pipes

Characteristics: These pipes are highly resistant to corrosion and high temperatures. Common

4.types include:

Austenitic Stainless Steel
Martensitic Stainless Steel
Galvanized Steel Pipes
Characteristics: Primarily used for low-pressure fluid transmission, especially in drinking water systems. Galvanized pipes are coated with zinc for corrosion resistance.

The standards for steel pipeline

Currently, the main technical standards for oil and gas conveying steel linepipes are API SPEC 5L, DNV-OS-F101, ISO 3183 and GB/T 9711, etc.
API 5L is a widely used specification developed by the main petroleum institute, which is only for steel pipe products, excluding the design, selection or installation of pipelines.
DNV-OS-F101 (subsea pipeline system) is a specification developed by Norske veritas specifically for subsea pipelines. It covers a wide range of contents, including pipeline design, materials, manufacturing, installation, testing, operation, maintenance, etc., which is usually stricter than API 5L.
ISO 3183 is the international organization for standardization developed on the oil and gas transport steel pipe delivery conditions, the standard is comprehensive, detailed but does not involve the pipeline design, installation, etc.

Applications of Line Pipes

Line pipes are used in a wide range of industries and environments:
1. Oil and Gas Transportation
Onshore Pipelines: Transport oil and gas across land.
Offshore Pipelines: Submerged pipelines for underwater oil and gas extraction.

2. Water Supply Systems
Municipal Water Supply: Transport drinking water to urban areas.
Irrigation Systems: Deliver water to agricultural fields.

3. Chemical Processing
Corrosive Fluids: Transport chemicals in industrial plants.
High-Temperature Applications: Handle hot fluids in refineries and power plants.

4. Structural Support

Bridges and Buildings: Provide foundational support in construction projects.

Linepipe steel grades

Process Specification Language	Pipe grades	Steel grades
PSL1	L175	A25
	L175P	A25P
	L210	A
	L245	B
	L290	X42
	L320	X46
	L360	X52
	L390	X56
	L415	X60
	L450	X65
	L485	X70
PSL2	L245R	BR
	L290R	X42R
	L245N	BN
	L290N	X42N
	L320N	X46N
	L360N	X52N
	L390N	X56N
	L415N	X60N
	L245Q	BQ
	L290Q	X42Q
	L320Q	X46Q
	L360Q	X52Q
	L390Q	X56Q
	L415Q	X60Q
	L450Q	X65Q
	L485Q	X70Q
	L555Q	X80Q
	L625Q	X90Q
	L690Q	X100M
	L245M	BM
	L290M	X42M
	L320M	X46M
	L360M	X52M
	L390M	X56M
	L415M	X60M
	L450M	X65M
	L485M	X70M
	L555M	X80M
	L625M	X90M
	L690M	X100M
	L830M	X120M

Carbon Steel Line Pipes Standard, Properties And Chart

1.Line Pipes Steel Standard

The manufacturing and production of line tubes follow many international and regional standards.
API 5L: A pipeline developed by the American Petroleum Institute specifically for the transportation of oil and gas. With X42, X60 and other grades.
ASTM A53: The American Society for Testing Materials developed the standard for linepipe, seamless steel pipe and welded steel pipe two kinds.
DIN 1629: Standard published by the German Standards Committee. Divided into ordinary grade and high strength grade two levels.
JIS G3454: Japanese industry standard for pipe and pipe standards, divided into seamless pipe and welded pipe two kinds.
The pipe manufactured by Tuspipe includes but is not limited to the above standards, and the steel pipe of different standards needs to be correctly selected according to the specific needs of the project and environmental conditions.

2.Steel Line Pipes Properties Chart

The chemical composition, mechanical properties and application fields of each standard and grade of line tube are different.
Tuspipe provides you with the performance characteristics of API 5L X42, API 5L X52, API 5L X60 API 5L X65 and other grades of steel pipe.

Standard	Material Grade	Tensile Strength (MPa)	Yield Strength (MPa)	Chemical Composition	Application Area
API 5L	X42	290-410	205-275	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 1.2-1.6%	Oil and gas transmission
	X52	340-450	275-340	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 1.2-1.6%	High-strength oil and gas transmission
	X60	415-520	355-420	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 1.2-1.6%	High-strength, high-pressure transmission
	X65	450-560	379-448	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 1.2-1.6%	High-strength, corrosion-resistant requirements
ASTM A53	A	310-430	205-275	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	Low-pressure, low-temperature environments
	B	330-485	240-345	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	Medium pressure environments
	C	415-550	310-450	C ≤ 0.26%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	High-strength requirements
DIN 1629	St 37.0	360-510	235-355	C ≤ 0.22%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	General structural purposes
	St 44.0	360-510	275-355	C ≤ 0.22%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	High-strength structural purposes
	St 52.0	500-700	355-500	C ≤ 0.22%, Mn 1.0-1.4%	High-strength, high-pressure
JIS G3454	STPG 38	355-510	235-295	C ≤ 0.22%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	Oil, chemical, and other pipelines
	STPG 42	375-540	245-325	C ≤ 0.22%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	Medium pressure, chemical pipelines
	STPG 46	400-580	265-355	C ≤ 0.22%, Mn 0.6-0.9%	High-strength, chemical pipelines

FAQs:

What is the use of a water pipeline?

Water pipelines transport drinking water to consumers and supply domestic water systems for homes and small buildings.

What type of pipe is no longer used in plumbing?

Polybutylene (PB) pipes are not recommended due to their tendency to rupture and leak, causing high maintenance costs.

What is the purpose of a gas pipeline?

Gas pipelines transport natural gas to homes, businesses, and industrial plants for heating and cooking.

What are the best materials for water supply pipes?

Copper, PVC, and PEX are popular choices for water supply due to their durability, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness.

What is a sewage pipeline used for?

Sewage pipelines carry wastewater from homes to treatment facilities, ensuring sanitation.

What type of pipe is best for high-pressure applications?

Steel pipes, especially stainless and carbon steel, are ideal for high-pressure applications due to their strength and durability.

Why is PVC commonly used for drainpipes?

PVC is affordable, easy to install, and resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for drainage systems.

What is the lifespan of copper plumbing pipes?

Copper pipes typically last 50-70 years due to their resistance to corrosion.

What are the advantages of using HDPE pipes?

HDPE pipes are lightweight, flexible, and resistant to corrosion, ideal for water, gas, and sewage systems.

How do I choose the right pipe material for my project?

Choose based on the fluid type, pressure, environmental conditions, and budget, with materials like PVC, copper, or steel offering unique benefits.

Contact us today to learn more about our line pipes and request a free quote!