API 5L X42 Seamless Steel Pipe

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe is a high-performance oil and gas transmission pipeline widely used in the oil and gas industry worldwide. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance, high strength and good weldability, API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe has been widely used in the oil and gas industry. This article will introduce the production process, characteristics and applications of API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe in detail.

API 5L Specification

1. Standard: API 5L Specification
2. Grade: API 5L X42 PSL1 / API 5L X42M PSL2

3. Manufacturing Process:
Seamless Steel (SMLS): Produced using hot rolling and cold drawing processes, suitable for high-pressure applications.
Resistance Welding (ERW): Manufactured using resistance heating processes, suitable for cost-effective applications.
Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welding (LSAW): For large-diameter pipes requiring high strength.
Spiral Submerged Arc Welding (SSAW): Specifically manufactured for high-pressure delivery applications.
4. Nominal Diameter (NPS): 1/2″ to 48″
5. Wall Thickness: Available in various sizes such as SCH 10, SCH 40, SCH 80, SCH 160, XS, and XXS, providing a range of thickness options for different pressure requirements.
6. Length: Available in single random lengths (4-7 meters), double random lengths (7-13 meters), or custom cut lengths to project specifications.
7. End: Plain End (PE): For butt welding. Angled end (BE): Facilitates welding installation.
8. Threaded end (TE): Used for piping systems requiring quick assembly and disassembly.
9. OD: Refers to the outer diameter of the pipe.
10. Weight per foot: Approximately calculated based on the steel density of 490 pounds per cubic foot.

API 5L X42 PSL1 and PSL2 Pipe

API 5L X42 PSL1 and API 5L X42 PSL2 are two different product specification levels, designed for specific operational needs:

1. API 5L X42 PSL1

This is the standard quality grade, typically used for general pipeline transportation. Its testing requirements are less stringent, and mechanical property limitations are lower. PSL1 is generally used in applications with less stringent performance requirements and pipeline performance requirements. It is suitable for low-pressure applications and shorter pipeline routes.

2. API 5L X42 PSL2

This grade of steel pipe offers superior mechanical properties, more stringent testing, and more precise chemical composition control. It is suitable for critical applications with extremely high requirements for toughness, durability, and quality control. PSL2 steel pipe must undergo Charpy impact testing, non-destructive testing, and more stringent chemical composition analysis. These steel pipes are ideal for extreme weather conditions, high-pressure environments, and long-distance fluid transportation.

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe specification

1. Pipe standard

API SPEC 5L pipeline steel pipe specification.

 

2. Requirements

The product shall comply with the requirements of TSG D7002 pressure pipeline original form test rules.

 

3. Delivery status

Normalizing rolling, normalizing forming, normalizing or normalizing and tempering delivery status of seamless steel pipe.

 

4. Chemical composition

The mass fraction of API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe, based on smelting analysis and product analysis, is as follows: 

Chemical Composition for API 5L X42 PSL1 (Seamless Pipes)

Steel Type	Mass Fraction According to the Heat and Product Estimation (%)
	C	S	Nb	Mn	V	P	Ti
L290 or X42	0.28 (Maximumb)	0.030 (Maximum)	c, d (Maximum)	1.30 (Maximumb)	c, d (Maximum)	0.030 (Maximum)	d (Maximum)

Chemical Composition for API 5L X42 PSL2 (Seamless Pipes)

Steel Type	Mass Fraction According to the Heat and Product Estimation (%)									Carbon Equivalent (% Max)
	Carbon	Sulfur	Manganese	Titanium	Silicon	Vanadium	Niobium	Phosphorus	Other	CEIIW	CEPcm
L290R or X42R	0.24	0.15	1.20	0.04	0.40	c	c	0.025	e, l	0.43	0.25
L290N or X42N	0.24	0.15	1.20	0.04	0.40	c	c	0.025	e, l	0.43	0.25
L290Q or X42Q	0.24	0.15	1.40	0.05	0.45	0.05	0.05	0.025	e, l	0.43	0.25

5. Mechanical properties

Pipe Type	Seamless and Welded Pipe Bodies			Weld Seam of EW, LW
	Yield Strength a(Minimum)	Tensile Strength a(Minimum)	Elongation(Minimum)	Tensile Strength b  (Minimum)
	Rt0.5	Rm	Af	Rm
	MPa	MPa	%	MPa
L290 or X42	290 (42,100 psi)	415 (60,200 psi)	c	415 (60,200 psi)

The API 5L X42 seamless pipes are manufactured with exceptional mechanical aspects. They retain a tensile strength of at least 60,200 psi and a minimum yield strength of 42,100 psi. 
The API 5L X42 welded pipes are developed when parts of steel are fused with a filler. These pipes are exceptionally low maintenance and have excellent durability. This category of pipes can last and function for a very long time.

API 5l X42 pipe dimensions

NPS (inches)	OD (inches)	Wall Thickness (inches)	Weight per foot (lbs)
3/8	0.675	0.091	0.57
1/2	0.840	0.109	0.85
3/4	1.050	0.113	1.13
1	1.315	0.133	1.68
1 1/4	1.660	0.140	2.27
1 1/2	1.900	0.145	2.72
2	2.375	0.154	3.65
2 1/2	2.875	0.203	5.79
3	3.500	0.216	7.58
3 1/2	4.000	0.226	9.10

NPS (inches)	OD (inches)	Wall Thickness (inches)	Weight per foot (lbs)
2 1/2	2.875	0.203	5.79
20	20.000	0.593	127.95
22	22.000	0.625	148.36
24	24.000	0.688	179.46
26	26.000	0.750	213.72
28	28.000	0.812	251.24
3	3.500	0.216	7.58
3 1/2	4.000	0.226	9.10
3/4	1.050	0.113	1.13
3/8	0.675	0.091	0.57

NPS (inches)	OD (inches)	Wall Thickness (inches)	Weight per foot (lbs)
30	30.000	0.875	291.76
4	4.500	0.237	10.79
5	5.563	0.258	14.62
6	6.625	0.280	18.99
8	8.625	0.322	28.55

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe production process

The production process of API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe mainly includes tube preparation → perforation → rolling → heat treatment → straightening → inspection → packaging and other links.

 

1. Pipe preparation

Tube preparation is one of the key links, which requires the selection of high-quality raw materials and strict inspection and control.

 

2. Perforation and rolling

During the perforation and rolling process, parameters such as temperature, speed and pressure need to be controlled to ensure that the wall thickness, diameter and surface quality of the steel pipe meet the requirements.

 

3. Heat treatment process

The heat treatment process controls parameters such as heating temperature, insulation time and cooling speed to make the steel pipe obtain good organization and performance.

 

4. Inspection

The steel pipe needs to undergo strict inspection and testing to ensure that its quality meets the standard requirements.

 

Features of API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe

1. Good toughness and corrosion resistance

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe is a high-strength, low-alloy steel pipe with a yield strength of 420MPa and good toughness and corrosion resistance.

 

2. Easy to clean and maintain

The steel pipe is manufactured using a seamless process, with a smooth inner wall, not easy to accumulate dirt, and easy to clean and maintain.

 

3. Weldability and resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe also has good weldability and resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking, which can meet the requirements of use in harsh environments.

Application of API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe is mainly used in oil and gas pipelines, refineries, chemical plants and other fields:

1. In oil and gas transportation

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe can withstand harsh environments such as high pressure, high temperature and corrosion to ensure the safe transportation of oil and gas.

 

2. In refineries and chemical plants

API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe is used to transport various corrosive media, such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.

How does API 5L X42 compare to other pipe steel grades?

API 5L X42 is one of several pipe steel grades specified in the API 5L standard. To understand its place in the pipe steel series, comparing it to other commonly used grades is helpful:

1. Comparison with lower grades (X35, X40)

X42 steel has higher strength compared to X35 and X40 steels. This allows for the use of thinner pipe walls while maintaining the same pressure rating, potentially reducing material costs and weight. However, due to its higher alloy content, X42 steel may be slightly more expensive.

2. Comparison with higher grades (X52, X60, X65, X70)

X42 steel has lower strength than other grades, meaning it may require thicker walls for the same pressure rating. However, due to its lower carbon equivalent, X42 generally has better weldability and formability. For applications that do not require the high strength of these grades, X42 may also be more cost-effective.

Summary

In short, as a high-performance oil and gas pipeline, API 5L X42 seamless steel pipe has broad application prospects in the oil and gas industry. With the continuous expansion of the global energy market and the continuous improvement of environmental protection requirements, the market demand for API 5L X42 seamless steel pipes will continue to grow. At the same time, it is also necessary to continuously improve the production process and quality control level to meet the ever-increasing needs of users.