API 5L pipe specification updated 2026

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

Seamless Pipe

A

0.22

0.90

0.03

0.03

–

–

–

B

0.28

1.20

0.03

0.03

c,d

c,d

d

X42

0.28

1.30

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X46

0.28

1.40

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X52

0.28

1.40

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X56

0.28

1.40

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X60

0.28 e

1.40 e

0.03

0.03

f

f

f

X65

0.28 e

1.40 e

0.03

0.03

f

f

f

X70

0.28 e

1.40 e

0.03

0.03

f

f

f

Welded Pipe

A

0.22

0.90

0.03

0.03

–

–

–

B

0.26

1.20

0.03

0.03

c,d

c,d

d

X42

0.26

1.30

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X46

0.26

1.40

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X52

0.26

1.40

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X56

0.26

1.40

0.03

0.03

d

d

d

X60

0.26 e

1.40 e

0.03

0.03

f

f

f

X65

0.26 e

1.45 e

0.03

0.03

f

f

f

X70

0.26e

1.65 e

0.03

0.03

f

f

f

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%

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

Seamless and Welded Pipe

BR

0.24

0.40

1.20

0.025

0.015

c

c

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X42R

0.24

0.40

1.20

0.025

0.015

0.06

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

BN

0.24

0.40

1.20

0.025

0.015

c

c

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X42N

0.24

0.40

1.20

0.025

0.015

0.06

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X46N

0.24

0.40

1.40

0.025

0.015

0.07

0.05

0.04

d,e,l

0.43

0.25

X52N

0.24

0.45

1.40

0.025

0.015

0.10

0.05

0.04

d,e,l

0.43

0.25

X56N

0.24

0.45

1.40

0.025

0.015

0.10f

0.05

0.04

d,e,l

0.43

0.25

X60N

0.24f

0.45f

1.40f

0.025

0.015

0.10f

0.05f

0.04f

g,h,l

As agreed

BQ

0.18

0.45

1.40

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X42Q

0.18

0.45

1.40

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X46Q

0.18

0.45

1.40

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X52Q

0.18

0.45

1.50

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X56Q

0.18

0.45f

1.50

0.025

0.015

0.07

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X60Q

0.18f

0.45f

1.70f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

h,l

0.43

0.25

X65Q

0.18f

0.45f

1.70f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

h,l

0.43

0.25

X70Q

0.18f

0.45f

1.80f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

h,l

0.43

0.25

X80Q

0.18f

0.45f

1.90f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

i,j

As agreed

X90Q

0.16f

0.45f

1.90

0.020

0.010

g

g

g

j,k

As agreed

X100Q

0.16f

0.45f

1.90

0.020

0.010

g

g

g

j,k

As agreed

Welded Pipe

BM

0.22

0.45

1.20

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X42M

0.22

0.45

1.30

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X46M

0.22

0.45

1.30

0.025

0.015

0.05

0.05

0.04

e,l

0.43

0.25

X52M

0.22

0.45

1.40

0.025

0.015

d

d

d

e,l

0.43

0.25

X56M

0.22

0.45f

1.40

0.025

0.015

d

d

d

e,l

0.43

0.25

X60M

0.12f

0.45f

1.60f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

h,l

0.43

0.25

X65M

0.12f

0.45f

1.60f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

h,l

0.43

0.25

X70M

0.12f

0.45f

1.70f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

h,l

0.43

0.25

X80M

0.12f

0.45f

1.85f

0.025

0.015

g

g

g

i,j

.043f

0.25

X90M

0.1

0.55f

2.10f

0.02

0.01

g

g

g

i,j

–

0.25

X100M

0.1

0.55f

2.10f

0.02

0.01

g

g

g

i,j

–

0.25

a. SMLS t>0.787”, CE limits shall be as agreed. The CEIIW limits applied fi 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%.

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

A

30,500

48,600

c

48,600

B

35,500

60,200

c

60,200

X42

42,100

60,200

c

60,200

X46

46,400

63,100

c

63,100

X52

52,200

66,700

c

66,700

X56

56,600

71,100

c

71,100

X60

60,200

75,400

c

75,400

X65

65,300

77,500

c

77,500

X70

70,300

82,700

c

82,700

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 foot note 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)

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

BR, BN,BQ,BM

35,500

65,300

60,200

95,000

0.93

f

60,200

X42,X42R,X2Q,X42M

42,100

71,800

60,200

95,000

0.93

f

60,200

X46N,X46Q,X46M

46,400

76,100

63,100

95,000

0.93

f

63,100

X52N,X52Q,X52M

52,200

76,900

66,700

110,200

0.93

f

66,700

X56N,X56Q,X56M

56,600

79,000

71,100

110,200

0.93

f

71,100

X60N,X60Q,S60M

60,200

81,900

75,400

110,200

0.93

f

75,400

X65Q,X65M

65,300

87,000

77,600

110,200

0.93

f

76,600

X70Q,X65M

70,300

92,100

82,700

110,200

0.93

f

82,700

X80Q,X80M

80,.500

102,300

90,600

119,700

0.93

f

90,600

a. For intermediate grade, refer to the full API5L specification.

b. for grades > X90 refer 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 refer to the full API5L specification.