API 5L Seamless Steel Line Pipe

Standard: API SPEC 5L (Latest edition)

• Grades: B, X42, X52, X56, X60, X65, X70, and S (S for sour service, for example, X70QS).
• Steel Pipe Dimensions OD: 1/2” to 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 16 inch, 18 inch, 20 inch, 24 inch, 26 inch to 40 inch.
• Pipe Weight Schedule Thickness: SCH 10. SCH 20, SCH 40, SCH STD, SCH 80, SCH XS, to SCH 160.
• Ends Type: Beveled ends, Plain ends.
• Length Range: 20 FT (6 meters), 40FT (12 meters) or customized.
• Protection Caps in plastic or iron.
• Surface: Natural, Varnished, Black painting, FBE and 3PE, Cladding and Lined, etc.
• CRA Clad and lined pipe available (Carbon steel + cladding or lined alloy steel material).

• For outer diameters less than 2 3/8 in (60.3 mm), pipe body diameter tolerance +/-0.5 mm. Pipe end +/- 0.5 mm; Out of Roundness tolerance for pipe body is 0.9 mm (0.036 in), pipe end 0.6 mm (0.024 in).
• For OD equal or above 2 3/8 in (60.3 mm) to 24 in (610 mm), (diameter tolerance) for pipe body is +/- 0.0075D, pipe end +/- 0.005D but max to +/- 1.6 mm (0.063 in); Roundness tolerance for pipe body ≤ 0.015D, pipe end ≤ 0.01D.
• For wall thickness
• Below 4 mm (0.157 in), tolerance +0.6 mm (0.024 in), -0.5 mm (0.020 in).
• For API 5L seamless steel pipe thickness in 4 mm to 10 mm (0.394 in), +0.150t, -0.125t.
• For API seamless pipe thickness 10 mm to 25mm (0.984 in), +/-0.125t.
• Wall thickness ≥ 25 mm, +3.7mm or +0.1t (if larger), and -3.0 mm (0.120 in) or -0.1t (if larger) - (t for thickness).
• For straightness, max for full length, tolerance maximum 0.15% of length.
• Straightness, the max deviation for the pipe end, shall be ≤ 0.3 mm /m.
• Length +/- 200 mm for general, +/- 25.4 mm for special.

API 5L Seamless steel pipe production methods can be divided into Hot-rolled seamless pipe, Cold-drawn (rolled) pipe and tube, Thermal expansion pipe, Cold spinning tube, and Squeeze tubes.

Formation - Seamless API steel pipes are made from a round steel billet while welded pies are made from a strip that is rolled and welded. The formation process of seamless pipes involves forging, perforation, rolling, and shaping all at a time. The defects in the steel can be easily eliminated during the rolling process. On the other hand, the formation process of seamed or welded pipes involves bending plates and welding in desired shapes. The process of making welded pipes is less expensive, and hence, the prices are lower. But in terms of performance, seamless ones are way ahead.

Hot Rolling Seamless Steel Line Pipe Manufacturing / Production processes

Rolled Round Billets - Examination - Cut Off - Heating - Piercing - Elongation - Slight Tension Reducing - Straightening - Corp End Cutting Off - Visual Inspection - NDT - Hydrostatic Test - Ends Procession - Product Inspection - Painting and Marking - Packing - Warehousing.

Mother pipe (Normally for hot rolled pipe) - Inspection - Annealing - Ends Treatment (Hitting and Drilling hole) - Pickling - Grinding - Phosphorization (Annoit) - Cold Drawn (Rolled) - Degreasing and Cleaning - Heat treatment (Solution treatment) - Straightening - Hydrostatic test - Painting and Marking - Warehousing.