PSL2 Quality Requirements
API 5L Gr.B PSL2 seamless pipe complies with the tubing specification established by the American Petroleum Institute, where PSL2 denotes stricter quality requirements. Compared with PSL1, PSL2 seamless pipes demand enhanced chemical composition controls, rigorous mechanical testing, and elevated non-destructive examination standards, plus mandatory Charpy impact testing and full traceability.
Technical Advantages
Dimensional precision: a 168.3 mm outside diameter has a tolerance of plus or minus 1 percent, and wall thickness deviation is within plus or minus 10 percent. Corrosion resistance: service life is extended via coatings such as 3PE or corrosion inhibitors. Weldability: the carbon equivalent, CE, is limited to 0.43 percent by the IIW formula, suitable for field girth welding operations.
Composition and Mechanical Properties
For PSL2 Grade B, carbon is 0.22 percent maximum, manganese 1.20 percent maximum, phosphorus 0.025 percent maximum, and sulfur 0.015 percent maximum. The tensile strength is 60,000 to 110,000 psi, 414 to 758 MPa, and the yield strength is 35,000 to 65,000 psi, 241 to 448 MPa. The carbon equivalent limits are 0.25 for the PCM formula and 0.43 for the IIW formula, and impact energy is 27 J transverse and 41 J longitudinal.
PSL1 vs PSL2 Comparison
Charpy impact testing is not required for PSL1 but is required for all PSL2 grades. Non-destructive inspection of seamless pipe is only performed under PSL1 when specified, but is mandatory under PSL2. Certification and traceability are optional under PSL1 and mandatory under PSL2, and hydrostatic testing is required for both.
Production Process
The seamless production route starts with billet heating at about 1200 plus or minus 50 degrees C, piercing the solid billet into a hollow shell on a cross-roll piercing mill, rolling and sizing to the specified wall with precision, heat treatment by normalizing or quenching and tempering for optimized metallography, and finishing with surface polishing, stencil marking, and hydrostatic testing per the design code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the carbon equivalent limit of Gr.B PSL2?
A: 0.43 percent by the IIW formula and 0.25 by the PCM formula.
Q: What is the yield range?
A: 241 to 448 MPa, 35,000 to 65,000 psi.
Q: Is impact testing required?
A: Yes, mandatory for all PSL2 grades.
Q: What is the OD tolerance?
A: Plus or minus 1 percent for a 168.3 mm pipe.
Q: What heat treatment is used?
A: Normalizing or quenching and tempering.
Q: What is the carbon limit?
A: 0.22 percent maximum.
For API 5L Gr.B PSL2 seamless pipe quotations, contact our sales team.
