API 5L X46
API 5L X46
API 5L X46 Pipe is a carbon steel pipe that is meticulously constructed under API (AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE) specifications to satisfy the needs of the client. X46 is a steel grade in the API 5L standard for steel pipes used in the petroleum and natural gas industries. The steel grade is determined by the yield strength of the steel pipe, as well as the manufacturing process. The X46 steel grade is composed of carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, and copper. The manufacturing process for X46 steel pipes includes hot rolling, cold drawing, and heat treatment. The hot rolling process helps to improve the ductility of the steel pipes, while the cold drawing process helps to improve the yield strength. The heat treatment process helps to improve the toughness of the steel pipes.
Why choose tuspipe?
Since 1998, Tianjin United Steel Pipe Co., Ltd (TUSPIPE) has been committed to supplying high-quality line pipes.
With over 500,000 tons annual production capacity, the company serves various fields and industries, such as oil & gas exploitation and transmission, ship & auto-building, water & electricity, environmental protection, mechanical engineering, infrastructure construction and etc.
TUSPIPE places a premium on product quality and rigorous product quality control. In order to maintain good product quality, the company has established a Test & Inspection Center since 2004. With a series of state-of-the-art tests and inspection equipment, the test & inspection center is able to perform the tensile tests, hydro tests, impact tests, DWTT, etc.
Application of API 5L X46 Line Pipe
API 5L X46 line pipe is a petroleum-transporting pipeline used onshore and offshore. The steel line pipe is widely used in the petroleum industry to transport oil and natural gas from the ground to refineries and other processing facilities. It is also used in the construction industry to transport water and other fluids. The API 5L X46 line pipe is manufactured to meet the requirements of the American Petroleum Institute (API) standard. The line pipe is available in different grades, ranging from Grade B to X80, to accommodate different types of applications. The most common grade used in the petroleum industry is Grade B, X42, X46, X52, and X56.
API 5L X46 Pipe Chemical Composition
- Chemical Composition for API 5L X46 PSL 1 pipe with t ≤ 0.984”
| Steel Grade | Mass fraction, % based on heat and product analyses a,g | ||||||
| C | Mn | P | S | V | Nb | Ti | |
| max b | max b | max | max | max | max | max | |
| Welded Pipe | |||||||
| X46 | 0.26 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | d | d | d |
a. Cu ≤ = 0.50% Ni; ≤ 0.50%; Cr ≤ 0.50%; and Mo ≤ 0.15%,
b. For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified maximum concentration for carbon, an increase of 0.05% above the specified maximum concentration for Mn is permissible, up to a maximum of 1.65% for grades ≥ L245 or B, but ≤ L360 or X52; up to a maximum of 1.75% for grades > L360 or X52, but < L485 or X70; and up to a maximum of 2.00% for grade L485 or X70.,
c. Unless otherwise agreed NB + V ≤ 0.06%,
d. Nb + V + TI ≤ 0.15%,
e. Unless otherwise agreed.,
f. Unless otherwise agreed, NB + V = Ti ≤ 0.15%,
g. No deliberate addition of B is permitted and the residual B ≤ 0.001%
- Chemical Composition for API 5L X46 PSL 2 Pipe with t ≤ 0.984”
| Steel Grade | Mass fraction, % based on heat and product analyses | Carbon Equiv a | |||||||||
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | V | Nb | Ti | Other | CE IIW | CE Pcm | |
| max b | max | max b | max | max | max | max | max | max | max | ||
| Welded Pipe | |||||||||||
| X46M | 0.22 | 0.45 | 1.3 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | e,l | 0.43 | 0.25 |
a. SMLS t>0.787”, CE limits shall be as agreed. The CEIIW limits applied if C > 0.12% and the CEPcm limits apply if C ≤ 0.12%,
b. For each reduction of 0.01% below the specified maximum for C, an increase of 0.05% above the specified maximum for Mn is permissible, up to a maximum of 1.65% for grades ≥ L245 or B, but ≤ L360 or X52; up to a maximum of 1.75% for grades > L360 or X52, but < L485 or X70; up to a maximum of 2.00% for grades ≥ L485 or X70, but ≤ L555 or X80, and up to a maximum of 2.20% for grades > L555 or X80.,
c. Unless otherwise agreed Nb = V ≤ 0.06%,
d. Nb = V = Ti ≤ 0.15%,
e. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50%; Ni ≤ 0.30% Cr ≤ 0.30% and Mo ≤ 0.15%,
f. Unless otherwise agreed,
g. Unless otherwise agreed, Nb + V + Ti ≤ 0.15%,
h. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50% Ni ≤ 0.50% Cr ≤ 0.50% and MO ≤ 0.50%,
i. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50% Ni ≤ 1.00% Cr ≤ 0.50% and MO ≤ 0.50%,
j. B ≤ 0.004%,
k. Unless otherwise agreed, Cu ≤ 0.50% Ni ≤ 1.00% Cr ≤ 0.55%, and MO ≤ 0.80%,
l. For all PSL 2 pipe grades except those grades with footnotes j noted, the following applies. Unless otherwise agreed no intentional addition of B is permitted and residual B ≤ 0.001%.
API 5L X46 Pipe Mechanical Properties
- Mechanical Properties for API 5L X46 PSL-1 Pipe
| Pipe Grade | Tensile Properties – Pipe Body of SMLS and Welded Pipes PSL 1 | Seam of Welded Pipe | ||
| Yield Strength a | Tensile Strength a | Elongation | Tensile Strength b | |
| Rt0,5 PSI Min | Rm PSI Min | (in 2in Af % min) | Rm PSI Min | |
| X46 | 46,400 | 63,100 | c | 63,100 |
| a. For intermediate grade, the difference between the specified minimum tensile strength and the specified minimum yield for the pipe body shall be as given for the next higher grade. | ||||
| b. For the intermediate grades, the specified minimum tensile strength for the weld seam shall be the same as determined for the body using footnote a. | ||||
| c. The specified minimum elongation, Af, expressed in percent and rounded to the nearest percent, shall be determined using the following equation: | ||||
 | ||||
| Where C is 1 940 for calculation using Si units and 625 000 for calculation using USC units | ||||
| Axc is the applicable tensile test piece cross-sectional area, expressed in square millimeters (square inches), as follows | ||||
| – For circular cross-section test pieces, 130mm2 (0.20 in2) for 12.7 mm (0.500 in) and 8.9 mm (.350 in) diameter test pieces; and 65 mm2 (0.10 in2) for 6.4 mm (0.250in) diameter test pieces. | ||||
| – For full-section test pieces, the lesser of a) 485 mm2 (0.75 in2) and b) the cross-sectional area of the test piece, derived using the specified outside diameter and the specified wall thickness of the pipe, rounded to the nearest 10 mm2 (0.10in2) | ||||
| – For strip test pieces, the lesser of a) 485 mm2 (0.75 in2) and b) the cross-sectional area of the test piece, derived using the specified width of the test piece and the specified wall thickness of the pipe, rounded to the nearest 10 mm2 (0.10in2) | ||||
| U is the specified minimum tensile strength, expressed in megapascals (pounds per square inch) |
- Mechanical Properties for API 5L X46 PSL-2 Pipe
| Pipe Grade | Tensile Properties – Pipe Body of SMLS and Welded Pipes PSL 2 | Seam of Welded Pipe | |||||
| Yield Strength a | Tensile Strength a | Ratio a, c | Elongation | Tensile Strength d | |||
| Rt0,5 PSI Min | Rm PSI Min | R10,5IRm | (in 2in) | Rm (psi) | |||
| Af % | |||||||
| Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Maximum | Minimum | Minimum | |
| X46N, X46Q, X46M | 46,400 | 76,100 | 63,100 | 95,000 | 0.93 | f | 63,100 |
| a. For intermediate grade, refer to the full API5L specification. | |||||||
| b. for grades > X90 refers to the full API5L specification. | |||||||
| c. This limit applies for pies with D> 12.750 in | |||||||
| d. For intermediate grades, the specified minimum tensile strength for the weld seam shall be the same value as was determined for the pipe body using foot a. | |||||||
| e. for pipe requiring longitudinal testing, the maximum yield strength shall be ≤ 71,800 psi | |||||||
| f. The specified minimum elongation, Af, expressed in percent and rounded to the nearest percent, shall be determined using the following equation: | |||||||
| |||||||
| Where C is 1 940 for calculation using Si units and 625 000 for calculation using USC units | |||||||
| Axc is the applicable tensile test piece cross-sectional area, expressed in square millimeters (square inches), as follows | |||||||
| – For circular cross-section test pieces, 130mm2 (0.20 in2) for 12.7 mm (0.500 in) and 8.9 mm (.350 in) diameter test pieces; and 65 mm2 (0.10 in2) for 6.4 mm (0.250in) diameter test pieces. | |||||||
| – For full-section test pieces, the lesser of a) 485 mm2 (0.75 in2) and b) the cross-sectional area of the test piece, derived using the specified outside diameter and the specified wall thickness of the pipe, rounded to the nearest 10 mm2 (0.10in2) | |||||||
| – For strip test pieces, the lesser of a) 485 mm2 (0.75 in2) and b) the cross-sectional area of the test piece, derived using the specified width of the test piece and the specified wall thickness of the pipe, rounded to the nearest 10 mm2 (0.10in2) | |||||||
| U is the specified minimum tensile strength, expressed in megapascals (pounds per square inch | |||||||
| g. Lower values fo R10,5IRm may be specified by agreement | |||||||
| h. for grades > x90 refers to the full API5L specification. |
API 5L X46 Material Equivalent
| API 5L Steel Grade | Specification for line pipe | |
| X46 | PSL1 | L320 or X46 |
| X46 | PSL2 | L320Q or X46Q L320N or X46N L320M or X46M |
R: As rolled
N: Normalizing rolled, normalized formed, Normalized
Q: Tempered and quenched
M: Thermomechanical rolled or thermomechanical formed
S: Sour Service
Dimensions and Sizes of API 5L X46 Line Pipe
One important factor to consider before purchasing an API 5L X46 line pipe is the diameter and size of the pipe. The dimensions and masses of API 5L line pipes are specified in ISO 4200 and ASME B36.10M. These standards provide guidelines for different size pipes and specify the wall thickness of each size. To check if a pipe meets the required standards, refer to these tables. Doing so will help to ensure that the pipe is the right size and has the correct wall thickness. Additionally, it is important to note that the diameter and size of a pipe can vary depending on the manufacturer. As such, it is always best to consult with the manufacturer before making a purchase.
API 5L X46 Pipe Tolerance
| O.D. Tolerance | W.T. Tolerance | ||
| X46 | |||
| D ＜ 60.3mm | +0.41/-0.40mm | D ＜ 73mm | +15%/-12.5% |
| D ≥ 60.3m | +0.75/-0.40mm | D ≥ 73mm | +15%/-12.5% |
API 5L X46 Pipe Marking & Packaging
- The tube type, heat number, steel grade, and size are all stamped on each API 5L X46 Pipe. Other markings, such as stamping, are available upon request.
- Hand-painted, stenciled, or die-stamped
- Manufacturer’s name or mark, API 5L, Spec 5L, Gr. B pipe, size, weight per foot, grade, manufacturing process, steel type, and length (NPS 4 and larger only). When the test pressure exceeds the limit (NPS 2 and larger only). HN, HS, HA, or HQ heat treatment symbols, as applicable.
Test and inspection of API 5L X46 Line pipes
- Hydrostatic Test
Hydrostatic testing is a key part of the production process for API 5L line pipes. The test helps to ensure that the pipe is free of leaks and that the weld seams are strong enough to withstand the internal pressure of the pipeline. Hydrostatic testing is typically carried out before the pipes are coated so that any leaks can be repaired before the coating process begins. To carry out the test, water is pumped into the pipe at a predetermined pressure. The pressure is then held for a set period, during which the pipe is inspected for signs of leakage. If no leaks are found, the test pressure is then slowly released and the pipe is allowed to cool. Hydrostatic testing is an essential step in the production of API 5L line pipes, and it helps to ensure that the finished product meets all safety and quality standards.
- Bending Test
The bending test during API 5L line pipe production is a way of testing the steel pipes for cracks. This is done by taking a sample of the pipe, and then bending it until it cracks. The crack is then inspected to see if it meets the requirements for API 5L line pipe production. If the crack does not meet the requirements, the pipe is rejected and a new sample is taken.
- Flattening Test
The flattening test during API 5L line pipe production is a quality assurance test designed to ensure that the steel pipe sample being tested meets the requirements for flatness. The test involves subjecting a length of pipe to deformation under specified conditions, then measuring the longitudinal and circumferential changes in the dimensions of the sample. The results of the test are then used to assess the suitability of the pipe for its intended purpose. The flattening test is an important part of quality control during the production of API 5L line pipes and other steel pipes.
- CVN Impact Test
During the impact test, a steel pipe sample is subjected to a controlled load in order to determine its resilience to impact and potential for brittle fracture. The test is performed at three positions on the pipe: the body, the weld, and the heat-affected zone. The results of the test are then used to determine the Charpy V-notch (CVN) value, which is a measure of a material’s toughness. The impact test is an important quality control measure during API 5L line pipe production, as it helps to ensure that the finished product will be able to withstand the rigors of its intended use.
- DWT Test for PSL-2 Welded Pipe
The DWTT test, or drop-weight tear test, is a common method of testing the strength of large diameter steel pipe. The test is conducted by dropping a weight onto a steel pipe, measuring the resulting crack size, and comparing the results to the requirements set forth in the API 5L standard. The DWTT test is an important quality control measure for large diameter steel pipe manufacturers, as it helps to ensure that the finished product will meet the required standards.
