January 7, 2024，my old customer from Malaysia asked me on WhatsApp if he could buy a batch of API 5L Grade B welded SAW pipe from me. Our company is very willing to provide services to old customers.
A week later, the customer sent us a purchase order. This was our second cooperation. In 2023, we cooperated on a batch of steel pipes, butt-welded pipe fittings and other products. The customer was very satisfied with our quality and service.
Before production, the customer emphasized that the weld type of this welded pipe must be SAW, and we promised to meet the customer’s requirements.
Half a month later, the goods are completed and we provide customers with inspection photos.
API 5L Grade B SAW (Submerged Arc Welded) pipes are widely used in the oil & gas, water, and construction industries for pipeline transportation. These pipes are manufactured according to the API 5L standard, which defines specifications for seamless and welded steel pipes for pipeline systems.
API 5L:
This is a specification developed by the American Petroleum Institute for the construction of steel pipes designed for conveying gas, water, and oil. It defines the requirements for the manufacture of two product specification levels (PSL1 and PSL2) of seamless and welded steel pipes.
Grade B:
API 5L specifies different grades of steel pipes, and Grade B is one of them. The grades indicate the minimum yield strength and other mechanical properties of the pipes. Grade B is a commonly used grade for pipelines.
PSL1:
Stands for “Product Specification Level 1.” PSL1 pipes have relatively basic requirements and are suitable for less critical applications compared to PSL2. PSL1 pipes have lower testing and quality control requirements.
API 5L Grade B Welded Pipe Specification
| Processing Method | Seamless and Welded |
| Size Range | 1/8″- 48″ / DN6 – 1200 |
| Thickness Schedule | SCH 10, SCH 20, SCH 40, STD, XS, SCH 100, SCH 120, SCH 160, XXS |
| Length | 6m or 12 m or Random |
| Standard | ASME B36.10M |
| Surface Treatment | Blasting and Painting , Epoxy Powder FBE, 2PE, 3PE Coating |
| Material Grade | ASTM A106B / A53, API 5L B / X42 / 46 / 52 / 56 / 60 / 65 / 70, A333 GR 6 |
ERW Welded Type: Electric Resistance Welded, for pipe diameter below 24 inch.
LSAW Type: Longitudinal Sub-merged Arc Welding, for pipe OD 20 inch to 48 inch. LSAW also called JCOE, it means pipe manufacturing shapes from J shape, C shape, O shape, and then cold expanding.
SSAW/HSAW Type: Spiral Sub-merged Arc Welding or Helical SAW, for pipe OD up to 100 inch.
API 5L Grade B Carbon Steel Welded Pipes Chemical Composition
| CHEMICAL | LIMITS | C | Mn | P | S | Cu | Ni | Cr | Mo |
| API 5L Gr.B PSL1 | MIN | ||||||||
| MAX | 0.28 | 1.20 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.15 |
API 5L Grade B Carbon Steel Welded Pipes Mechanical Property
| MATERIAL | T.S (MPA) | Y.S (MPA) | EL % |
| ASTM API 5LB | 415 min | 240 min | 23min |
API 5L Grade B Seamless Pipe Dimension
Grade B Carbon Steel Pipe Thickness Schedule
| DN | NPS | OD | SCH20 | SCH30 | STD | SCH40 | SCH60 | XS | 80 |
| 6 | 1/8 | 10.3 | – | 1.45 | 1.73 | 1.73 | – | 2.41 | 2.41 |
| 8 | 1/4 | 13.7 | – | 1.85 | 2.24 | 2.24 | – | 3.02 | 3.02 |
| 10 | 3/8 | 17.1 | – | 1.85 | 2.31 | 2.31 | – | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| 15 | 1/2 | 21.3 | – | 2.41 | 2.77 | 2.77 | – | 3.73 | 3.73 |
| 20 | 3/4 | 26.7 | – | 2.41 | 2.87 | 2.87 | – | 3.91 | 3.91 |
| 25 | 1 | 33.4 | – | 2.90 | 3.38 | 3.38 | – | 4.55 | 4.55 |
| 32 | 11/4 | 42.2 | – | 2.97 | 3.56 | 3.56 | – | 4.85 | 4.85 |
| 40 | 11/2 | 48.3 | – | 3.18 | 3.68 | 3.68 | – | 5.08 | 5.08 |
| 50 | 2 | 60.3 | – | 3.18 | 3.91 | 3.91 | – | 5.54 | 5.54 |
| 65 | 21/2 | 73.0 | – | 4.78 | 5.16 | 5.16 | – | 7.01 | 7.01 |
| 80 | 3 | 88.9 | – | 4.78 | 5.49 | 5.49 | – | 7.62 | 7.62 |
| 90 | 31/2 | 101.6 | – | 4.78 | 5.74 | 5.74 | – | 8.08 | 8.08 |
| 100 | 4 | 114.3 | – | 4.78 | 6.02 | 6.02 | – | 8.56 | 8.56 |
Key Features of API 5L Grade B SAW Pipe
Material: Carbon Steel
Manufacturing Process: Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)
LSAW (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded) – Weld seam runs longitudinally.
SSAW (Spiral Submerged Arc Welded) – Weld seam is spiral-shaped.
Pipe Ends: Plain, Beveled, or Threaded
Applications
Oil & Gas Pipelines
Water Transmission Lines
Structural Applications
Construction & Infrastructure
Petrochemical and Refinery Applications