MESC SPECIFICATION October 1997

SPE 74/001 Page 1 of 2

PIPE, CARBON STEEL

API 5L, grade B
ASTM A 53, galvanised

1. SCOPE

This specification shall apply in addition to the applicable MESC Buying Descriptions and
the referenced standards.
This specification is applicable to:
- seamless and welded carbon steel pipe to API 5L, grade B;
- galvanised carbon steel pipe and pipe nipples to ASTM A 53 or API 5L, grade B (outside
diameter ≤ DN 100).

2. REFERENCES
In this specification reference is made to the following publications:
Note: Unless specifically designated by date the latest issue of each publication shall be used (together
with any amendments/supplements/revisions thereto).

API 5L Specification for line pipe

ASTM A 53 Specification for pipe, steel, black and hot-dipped, zinc-coated
welded and seamless

3. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
The carbon content shall be 0.23% maximum.
The carbon equivalent (CE) shall be 0.43 maximum and shall be determined by the following
formula:
Mn Cr + Mo + V Ni + Cu
CE = C + + +
6 5 15
where the above values are in %.
The silicon content shall be 0.10% minimum for non-galvanised pipe.

4. MANUFACTURING

4.1 PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE

Pipe shall be furnished either seamless or longitudinal seam welded. Spiral-welded pipe
shall only be supplied when approved by the purchaser. The longitudinal seam of welded
pipe shall be made by either high frequency induction (HFI) welding or automatic
submerged arc welding (SAW). Spiral-welded pipe shall be made using the SAW process.

4.2 HEAT TREATMENT

Seamless pipe shall be normalised or hot finished. Cold drawn seamless pipe shall be heat
treated after the final cold draw pass at a temperature at 650° C or higher.
SAW pipe thicker than 19 mm shall be normalised or post weld heat treated after welding.
This post weld heat treatment shall be performed at a temperature between 593 ºC and 649
°C for 2.4 minutes/millimetre or 1 hour whichever is greater
HFI welded pipe shall be manufactured from hot-rolled coil and the entire weld and heat
affected zone shall be normalised. Alternatively, the pipe may be full body normalised.

4.3 EXPANSION
Seamless and HFI welded pipe shall not be cold-expanded. SAW pipe may be cold-
expanded up to a maximum of 1.5%.
MESC SPECIFICATION October 1997
SPE 74/001 Page 2 of 2

4.4 GALVANISING
Galvanising shall be in accordance with ASTM A 53.

4.5 JOINTERS
Jointers shall not be used.

5. MARKING
Marking shall also include:
- the API monogram (for API 5L pipe only);
- the pipe schedule number or specified wall thickness (mm);
- the charge or heat number.
If die stamping is used, the stamps shall be "low stress" stamps (dot or round-bottomed).

6. CERTIFICATION
The specified inspection certificates shall be supplied to the purchaser unless the
purchaser specifies that they shall be retained by the supplier.