API 5L X70 PSL2 LSAW Steel Pipe
Products Description
API 5L X70 PSL2 LSAW Steel Pipeis a high-strength, longitudinal submerged arc welded (LSAW) line pipe manufactured to the American Petroleum Institute (API) 5L standard, Product Specification Level 2 (PSL2). Designedlong-distance oil, natural gas, and high-pressure fluid transmission, it delivers exceptional mechanical strength, low-temperature toughness, and corrosion resistance-ideal for harsh onshore, offshore, and acidic environment projects.
Key Advantages:
"High Strength & Toughness:X70 grade (minimum yield strength 485 MPa) handles high operating pressures; PSL2 ensures stricter chemical composition, mechanical properties, and notch toughness than PSL1.
"LSAW Precision Manufacturing:Formed from heavy steel plates, single longitudinal weld with submerged arc welding-uniform wall thickness, excellent weld integrity, and large diameter capability (16"-60").
Premium Anti-Corrosion Coatings:Customizable 3PE, FBE, epoxy, or galvanized coatings for long-term protection against soil, water, and chemical corrosion.
"Full API 5L PSL2 Compliance:Strict non-destructive testing (NDT), hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC) resistance, and traceability for global energy projects.
Technical Specifications
Item | Specification |
|---|---|
Standard | API 5L (46th Edition), PSL2; ISO 3183 |
Grade | X70 (L485) |
Manufacturing Process | LSAW (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded) |
Diameter Range | 16" (406.4mm) - 60" (1524mm) |
Wall Thickness | 6mm - 40mm (customizable) |
Length | 6m - 18m (standard); custom lengths available |
Ends | Beveled (30°), plain, or threaded; capped for protection |
Tolerance | Diameter: ±1%; Wall thickness: ±12.5% |
Chemical Composition (PSL2, wt%)
Element | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Nb+V+Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max | 0.12 | 1.60 | 0.45 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.15 |
Mechanical Properties (PSL2)
Property | Minimum | Maximum | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
Yield Strength (Re) | 485 | 605 | MPa |
Tensile Strength (Rm) | 570 | 760 | MPa |
Elongation (A) | 20 | - | % |
Charpy V-Notch Toughness (-20°C) | ≥ 40 | - | J |
Yield-to-Tensile Ratio | - | 0.93 | - |
Anti-Corrosion Coatings (Customizable):
-3PE (Three-Layer Polyethylene):2.5-3.5mm thickness; excellent resistance to soil stress, moisture, and chemicals-ideal for buried pipelines.
-FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy):250-500μm thickness; high adhesion, acid/alkali resistance-suitable for offshore and acidic environments.
-Liquid Epoxy Coating:300-600μm thickness; cost-effective for onshore non-corrosive areas.
-Hot-Dip Galvanizing:85-120μm thickness; rust protection for structural and low-pressure applications.
Coating Type | Application | Standards | Key Feature |
FBE (Fusion Bonded Epoxy) | Single or dual-layer corrosion protection | ISO 21809, NACE RP0394 | Excellent chemical resistance; ideal for mild corrosive environments |
3LPE / 3LPP (3-Layer Polyethylene / Polypropylene) | External corrosion & mechanical protection | DIN 30670, ISO 21809 | Superior mechanical strength; most widely used for buried pipelines |
Concrete Weight Coating (CWC) | Offshore pipeline negative buoyancy & stability | ISO 21809-5 | Heavy weight prevents floating in marine installations |
Coal Tar Epoxy / Bitumen | Long-term corrosion protection | DIN 30670, BS 534 | Classic solution with proven history |
Internal Coating | Hydraulic efficiency & internal corrosion protection | API RP 5L2 | Reduces friction loss; extends service life for wet gas/crude |
Applications
Application | Specific Use Cases |
Onshore Oil & Gas Trunklines | Long-distance crude oil, natural gas, and refined product transmission; high-pressure gas gathering networks |
Offshore & Subsea Pipelines | Deepwater risers, flowlines, and trunklines requiring negative buoyancy and high pressure tolerance |
Sour Service Pipelines | H₂S-containing oil and gas fields (with HIC-resistant supplementary requirements |
Low-Temperature / Arctic Regions | Pipelines in frozen terrains requiring Charpy impact testing at -10°C to -45°C |
Strain-Based Design Pipelines | Seismic zones and permafrost regions |
Water Transmission Mains | Large-diameter water supply and sewage conveyance |
Structural Piling | Foundation piling for bridges, ports, and offshore platforms |
Gas Compression Plants | High-pressure interconnecting piping in processing facilities |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between API 5L PSL1 and PSL2?
PSL1: Standard requirements with only minimum yield/tensile limits; no mandatory Charpy impact testing; looser chemistry limits.
PSL2: Enhanced requirements including maximum yield and tensile limits, mandatory Charpy impact testing, tighter carbon equivalent (CE) limits, and 100% NDT requirements. PSL2 provides guaranteed fracture toughness and stricter quality control - essential for sour service, low-temperature, and offshore applications.
Q2: Why choose X70 instead of X65 or X80?
Grade | Strength | Wall Thickness Efficiency | Cost |
X65 | 448 MPa | Baseline reference | ~ 1.0x |
X70 | 483 MPa | ~8-10% thinner walls vs X65; ~15% weight savings vs X52 | ~ 1.10x |
X80 | 552 MPa | Maximum thin-wall capability | ~ 1.30x |
X70 offers the best strength-to-cost ratio for most long-distance, high-pressure projects. X80 is more expensive and requires stricter welding controls
Q3: What testing is mandatory for API 5L X70 PSL2?
✅Hydrostatic Pressure Test (each pipe)
✅100% Non-Destructive Testing - Ultrasonic (UT) + Radiographic (RT) of weld seam
✅Chemical Composition Analysis (per heat / per product)
✅Mechanical Property Testing (Yield, Tensile, Elongation)
✅Charpy Impact Test (minimum 3 specimens at specified temperature)
✅Dimensional & Visual Inspection
✅Full Traceability - Heat number & pipe number recorded
✅Mill Test Certificate (MTC) - EN 10204 Type 3.1 / 3.2
Q4: Is X70 suitable for sour service (H₂S environments)?
Standard X70 PSL2 isnot automatically sour service compliant. For sour service (H₂S-containing environments), the pipe must meetHIC (Hydrogen Induced Cracking)andSSC (Sulfide Stress Cracking)resistance requirements perNACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, with supplementary testing and restricted hardness limits. Specify "Sour Service" on your purchase order
Q5: What documentation is provided with each shipment?
-Mill Test Certificate (MTC) - EN 10204 Type 3.1 or 3.2
-Chemical composition (per heat and per product)
-Mechanical test results (Yield, Tensile, Elongation, Charpy Impact)
-Hydrostatic test report
-NDT report (UT / RT of weld seam)
-Dimensional inspection report
-Heat number traceability log
-Coating inspection report (holiday testing, adhesion, thickness)
-Packing list & Bill of Lading
For critical projects, third-party inspection witnessed reports can be arranged.
Q6: What is the maximum diameter and wall thickness available?
Up to OD 1,625mm (64″) and WT 60mm (2.36″). Larger diameters (up to 72″ / 1,828 mm) are available upon request.
Q7: How to place an order?
Provide the following specification elements:
-API 5L X70 PSL2 LSAW pipe
-Quantity (in meters, joints, or metric tons)
-Outside Diameter (e.g., 24″, 36″, 48″)
-Wall Thickness (e.g., 12.7 mm, 19.1 mm)
-Length (Single Random, Double Random, or exact cut lengths)
-End Finish (Beveled or Plain)
-Coating Requirement (3LPE, FBE, CWC, etc.)
-Supplementary Requirements (Sour service, low-temperature impact, etc.)
-Delivery terms (FOB, CIF, CFR) and destination
