API 5L X60 PSL1/ PSL2 Seamless Pipe

API 5L Grade X60 is a common high-grade pipe material used for oil and gas transportation in the API 5L specification. It is also known as L415 pipe, named after the minimum yield strength of 415 Mpa (60,200 psi). The minimum tensile strength of X60 is 520 Mpa (75,400psi). The API 5L X60 pipe specification covers seamless (hot rolled and cold rolled) and ERW, LSAW, SSAW (HSAW) welded manufacturing types of pipeline line pipe.

What is API 5L X60 Seamless Pipe?

API 5L X60 Seamless pipe is a high-performance steel pipe widely used in the oil and gas industry. Due to its excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, this steel pipe has been widely recognized and applied worldwide. This article will take a deep look at the specifications, characteristics, manufacturing processes and application areas of API 5L X60 seamless pipe.

API 5L pipeline line pipe is equivalent to ASTM A106 and ASTM A53 pipe in size, which meets the industry standard size, but its mechanical properties are different. A key defining characteristic of this type of pipe is its yield strength, and the two digits following the "X" grade of the pipe indicate the minimum yield strength (in 000 psi) that this grade of pipe must be produced (i.e. X52 pipe). The purpose of this specification is to provide standards for pipe suitable for use in the oil and gas industry for the transportation of gas, water, and oil. The grades covered by this specification are A25, A, B (and "X" grades below) X42, X46, X52, X60, X65, and X70. The two digits following the "X" indicate the minimum yield strength (in 000 psi) that this grade of pipe must be produced.

The "X60" designation indicates that the steel used in the pipe has a minimum yield strength of 60,200 psi (415 MPa). This grade is commonly used for pipes that carry oil and gas. "PSL1" stands for "Product Specification Level 1" and indicates that the pipe is manufactured to basic requirements for quality, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and testing. PSL1 pipe is generally used in less demanding applications than PSL2 pipe. Seamless pipes are manufactured without welding, resulting in a uniform structure throughout the pipe length. This design provides increased strength and better performance in high pressure and corrosive environments compared to welded pipes.

API 5L X60 Pipe Types and Specifications:
API 5L X60 Pipe range includes PSL1, PSL2, Onshore/Offshore and Sour Service.
PSL1 is for common material delivery condition R rolled.
PSL2 is specified with suffix letters N, Q, M, e.g. API 5L X60Q/M/N (where Sour Service is described as API 5L X60QS/MS)
PSL2 is more stringent and higher than PSL1 in terms of chemical, mechanical properties and testing requirements. View the differences between PSL1 and PSL2 here.
View other grade specifications in API 5L Pipe.

Suffix letter meaning:
R: rolling state
N: normalizing rolling, normalizing forming, normalizing
Q: tempering quenching
M: thermomechanical rolling or thermomechanical forming
S: acidic service use

Chemical composition:
X60N carbon steel seamless pipe mass fraction, based on smelting analysis and product analysis, maximum value%:
Carbon: ≤0.24,
Silicon: 0.45,
Manganese: ≤1.4,
Phosphorus: ≤0.025,
Sulfur: ≤0.015,
Vanadium: 0.10,
Niobium: 0.05,
Titanium: 0.04

Mechanical properties of X60 seamless pipe:

Yield strength: 415mpa~565mpa, 

Tensile strength: 520mpa~760mpa, yield ratio 0.93.

Characteristics of X60 seamless pipe:

1. Seamless process
X60 seamless pipe uses high-quality carbon steel as the main material and is manufactured through a precise seamless steel pipe production process. Seamless steel pipes have high yield strength and tensile strength, can withstand greater pressure and load, and are suitable for various occasions with high strength requirements.

‌2. High strength and excellent mechanical properties‌
The yield strength grade of API 5L X60 seamless steel pipe is X60, and the minimum yield strength is 415MPa. This steel pipe has excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, can withstand high pressure and harsh environmental conditions, and is suitable for oil and gas pipelines. Due to its superior overall performance, it is suitable for various harsh working environments, reduces the frequency of maintenance and replacement, and reduces operating costs.

3. Good toughness
The steel pipe can still maintain good toughness at low temperatures, avoiding brittle fracture caused by temperature changes.

4. Excellent corrosion resistance
The X60 seamless steel pipe has been specially treated and has good corrosion resistance, and can resist the erosion of a variety of chemical corrosive media.

5. Good weldability and machinability
API 5LX60 seamless steel pipe also has good weldability and machinability, which is convenient for cutting, bending and welding and other processing operations at the construction site.

6. High wear resistance
The surface of X60 seamless steel pipe has been finely processed, which has high wear resistance and can extend the service life.

Manufacturing process of X60 seamless pipe:

The manufacturing process of X60 seamless pipe mainly includes tube blank preparation, heating, perforation, rolling, heat treatment, inspection and straightening. In the tube blank preparation stage, it is necessary to select high-quality carbon steel materials and perform pretreatment operations such as cutting and grinding. Then, the tube blank is heated to an appropriate temperature and perforated by a perforator to form the initial shape of the steel pipe. Next, the steel pipe is rolled several times by a rolling mill to meet the specified size and precision requirements. In this process, the steel pipe also needs to be heat treated to improve its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Finally, after inspection and straightening, ensure that the quality of the steel pipe meets the standard requirements.

In the production process of X60 seamless steel pipe, it needs to go through many strict process flows. Among them, the forming and heat treatment of steel pipes are two very important links. During the forming process, by controlling parameters such as rolling temperature and rolling speed, the wall thickness, outer diameter and other dimensional accuracy of the steel pipe can meet the requirements. During the heat treatment process, the steel pipe needs to be subjected to high-temperature tempering, quenching and other treatments to improve its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

Application areas of X60 seamless pipe:

In the oil and gas industry, API 5L X60 seamless pipes are widely used in long-distance oil and gas pipelines, submarine pipelines and urban gas pipelines, such as oil well casings, drill pipes, drill collars and refining units. In these application scenarios, steel pipes need to withstand harsh environments such as high pressure, high temperature and corrosion, and API 5L X60 seamless pipes provide solid guarantees for safe production in the oil and gas industry with their outstanding performance. Market surveys show that there is a great demand for API 5L X60 pipes. (Other grades X52 > X65 > X42 > X60 pipes, approved by the sales records of Chinese manufacturers in 2019.)

In the chemical industry, X60 seamless steel pipes can be used to transport various corrosive media, such as acids, alkalis, salts, etc., and can also be used to manufacture various chemical equipment and pipelines, such as reactors, storage tanks, heat exchangers, etc.

In the power industry, X60 seamless steel pipes can be used to manufacture important components of equipment such as boilers and steam turbines.

In addition, X60 seamless steel pipes can also be used in construction, bridges, machinery manufacturing and other fields.

In short, X60 seamless pipes are high-quality, efficient and reliable pipes. Their wide range of applications and excellent performance make them the preferred material for various industries. With the growth of global energy demand and the improvement of environmental awareness, the market prospects of X60 seamless pipes will be broader. In the future, with the continuous advancement of science and technology and the continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, the performance and application areas of X60 seamless pipes will continue to expand, making greater contributions to human energy and environmental protection.

Read more: Schedule 80 Carbon Steel Pipe or API 5L ERW Line Pipe Standard & Grade