API Specification 5LC

CRA Line Pipe

FOURTH EDITION | MARCH 2015 | 110 PAGES | $175.00 | PRODUCT NO. G5LC04

This specification covers seamless, centrifugal cast, and

welded alloy line pipe with improved corrosion resistant
properties. The purpose of this specification is to provide
standards for pipe with improved corrosion resistance
suitable for use in conveying gas, water, and oil in both
the oil and natural gas industries.
The size designations are nominal pipe sizes (NPS). In the
text paragraphs herein, where pipe size limits (or size
ranges) are given, these are outside diameter sizes except
where stated to be nominal. These outside diameter size
limits and ranges apply also to the corresponding nominal
sizes. The primary product is beveled pipe. If plain-end
square cut or other special end preparation is desired,
this shall be subject to agreement between the purchaser
and manufacturer. Included are NPS 1 in. through 42 in.
Grades covered by this specification are LC30-1812,
LC52-1200, LC65-2205, LC65-2506, LC30-2242, and
LC80-2507.

www.api.org

For ordering information:

Online: www.api.org/pubs
Phone: 1-800-854-7179
(Toll-free in the U.S. and Canada)
(+1) 303-397-7056
(Local and International)
Fax:

(+1) 303-397-2740

API members receive a 30% discount where applicable.

Contents
1
1.1
1.2

Scope ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Coverage ................................................................................................................................................ 1
Application of the API Monogram ........................................................................................................... 1

Normative References ............................................................................................................................ 1

3
3.1
3.2

Terms, Definitions, and Abbreviations .................................................................................................... 2

Terms and Definitions ............................................................................................................................. 2
Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................................... 3

4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5

General Information ................................................................................................................................ 3

Metric Units ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Measuring Devices ................................................................................................................................. 4
Special Processes .................................................................................................................................. 4
Certification ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Retention of Records .............................................................................................................................. 5

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5

Process of Manufacture and Material ..................................................................................................... 5

Process of Manufacture .......................................................................................................................... 5
Cold Expansion ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Heat Treatment ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Traceability ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Hydrogen Sulfide Environments ............................................................................................................. 8

6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6

Chemical Properties and Tests .............................................................................................................. 8

Composition ............................................................................................................................................ 8
Heat Analyses ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Product Analyses .................................................................................................................................. 10
Recheck Analyses ................................................................................................................................ 10
Control Analyses ................................................................................................................................... 10
Chemical Analyses Procedures ............................................................................................................ 10

7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
7.10
7.11
7.12
7.13
7.14
7.15
7.16
7.17

Mechanical Properties and Tests ......................................................................................................... 11

Tensile TestsGeneral ........................................................................................................................ 11
Tensile Testing ..................................................................................................................................... 15
Longitudinal Tensile Tests .................................................................................................................... 15
Transverse Tensile Tests ..................................................................................................................... 15
Weld Tensile Tests ............................................................................................................................... 16
Control Tensile Tests ............................................................................................................................ 16
RetestsTensile Tests......................................................................................................................... 16
Defective SpecimensTensile Tests ................................................................................................... 16
Flattening TestsElectric Weld ........................................................................................................... 16
Acceptance CriteriaFlattening Tests ................................................................................................. 17
RetestsFlattening Tests .................................................................................................................... 17
Flattening TestsSeamless, Centrifugally Cast, and Welded Without Filler Metal ............................. 18
Weld With Filler Metal Manipulation Tests ........................................................................................... 19
Guided-Bend Test................................................................................................................................. 19
RetestsGuided-bend Test.................................................................................................................. 19
Weld Ductility Test for Electric-welded Pipe ......................................................................................... 20
RetestsWeld Ductility Test ................................................................................................................ 22
v

7.18
7.19

Centrifugally Cast Homogeneity Test ................................................................................................... 22

Hardness Tests (LC52-1200)................................................................................................................ 24

8
8.1
8.2

Special Tests ........................................................................................................................................ 24

Ferrite/Austenite Ratio for Duplex Stainless Steel ................................................................................ 24
Intergranular Corrosion Test (Strauss Test) ......................................................................................... 25

9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4

Hydrostatic Tests .................................................................................................................................. 26

Inspection Hydrostatic Test................................................................................................................... 26
Verification of Test ................................................................................................................................ 26
Test Pressures ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Supplementary Hydrostatic Tests ......................................................................................................... 39

10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8

Dimensions, Weights, and Lengths ...................................................................................................... 39

Dimensions and Weights ...................................................................................................................... 39
Diameter................................................................................................................................................ 40
Wall Thickness ...................................................................................................................................... 40
Weight ................................................................................................................................................... 41
Length ................................................................................................................................................... 41
Straightness .......................................................................................................................................... 41
Jointers.................................................................................................................................................. 41
Pipe Ends .............................................................................................................................................. 43

11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
11.7
11.8
11.9
11.10
11.11
11.12
11.13
11.14
11.15
11.16
11.17

Nondestructive Inspection..................................................................................................................... 44
Inspection Methods for Welded Pipe .................................................................................................... 44
Inspection Methods for Seamless Pipe ................................................................................................ 44
Inspection Methods for Centrifugally Cast Pipe .................................................................................... 44
Radiological Inspection Equipment....................................................................................................... 44
Fluoroscopic Operator Qualification ..................................................................................................... 44
Operator Certification ............................................................................................................................ 45
Reference Standard .............................................................................................................................. 45
ISO Wire Penetrameter......................................................................................................................... 45
Frequency ............................................................................................................................................. 46
Procedure for Evaluating In-Motion Operation of the Fluoroscope ...................................................... 46
Acceptance Limits ................................................................................................................................. 46
Imperfections ........................................................................................................................................ 46
Defects .................................................................................................................................................. 46
Weld Repair .......................................................................................................................................... 49
Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic Inspection of Welded Pipe ................................................................. 49
Ultrasonic and Electromagnetic Inspection of Seamless Pipe ............................................................. 51
Ultrasonic Inspection of Centrifugally Cast Pipe ................................................................................... 52

12
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5
12.6
12.7
12.8
12.9

Workmanship, Visual Inspection, and Repair of Defects...................................................................... 52

Inspection Notice .................................................................................................................................. 52
Purchaser Inspection ............................................................................................................................ 53
Workmanship ........................................................................................................................................ 53
Visual Inspection ................................................................................................................................... 54
Defects .................................................................................................................................................. 54
Repair of Defects .................................................................................................................................. 55
Procedure for Repair of Weld Seams of Submerged Arc Welded Pipe ............................................... 56
Procedure for Repair of Weld Seams of Electric-weld and Induction-welded Pipe .............................. 56
Procedure for Repair of Weld Seam of Gas Metal Arc Welded Pipe ................................................... 56
vi

13
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
13.6
13.7

Marking and Surface Treatment ........................................................................................................... 57

MarkingGeneral................................................................................................................................. 57
Location of Markings............................................................................................................................. 57
Sequence of Markings .......................................................................................................................... 57
Length ................................................................................................................................................... 58
Die Stamping ........................................................................................................................................ 59
Surface Treatment ................................................................................................................................ 59
Pipe Processor Markings ...................................................................................................................... 59

Annex A

API Monogram Program, Use of the API Monogram by Licensees ............................................... 60

Annex B

Supplementary Requirement(s).................................................................................................... 64

Annex C

Repair Welding Procedure ........................................................................................................... 65

Annex D

Minimum Elongation Values ......................................................................................................... 72

Annex E

Guided-bend Test Jig Dimensions ............................................................................................... 75

Annex F

Metric Tables ................................................................................................................................ 86

Annex G

Purchaser Inspection .................................................................................................................. 109

Figures
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
C.1
C.2
C.3
C.4
C.5

Orientation of Tensile Test Specimens .................................................................................................. 13

Tensile Test Specimens ......................................................................................................................... 14
Flattening Tests ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Guided-bend Test Specimen.................................................................................................................. 20
Jig for Guided-bend Test ........................................................................................................................ 21
Through-wall Hardness Test Locations.................................................................................................. 23
Location for Determination of Through-wall Ferrite/Austenite Ratio ...................................................... 24
Examples of Maximum Distribution Patterns of Indicated Circular Slag-inclusion-and
Gas-pocket-type Discontinuities ............................................................................................................. 47
Examples of Maximum Distribution Patterns of Indicated Elongated Slag-inclusion-type
Discontinuities ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Reference Standards ............................................................................................................................. 50
Reference Standard ............................................................................................................................... 51
Transverse Tensile Test Specimen ........................................................................................................ 67
Tensile-elongation Test Specimen ......................................................................................................... 68
Guided-bend Test Specimen.................................................................................................................. 68
Jig for Guided-bend Test ........................................................................................................................ 69
Nick-break Test Specimen ..................................................................................................................... 70

Tables
1
2
3
4
5
6

Special Processes for Manufacturing Conditions ...................................................................................... 4

Retention of Records ................................................................................................................................. 5
Pipe Manufacturing Processes .................................................................................................................. 7
Chemical Requirements for Heat Analyses, Percent (%) .......................................................................... 9
Purchaser Provided Analysis ................................................................................................................... 10
Permissible Variation for Product Analyses of CRA Line Pipe ................................................................ 11

vii

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
C.1
D.1
E.1
F.1

Tensile Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 12

Frequency of Tensile Testing ................................................................................................................... 15
Flattening Retests .................................................................................................................................... 18
Specimen Lot Test Lengths ..................................................................................................................... 22
Quadrant Hardness Readings.................................................................................................................. 23
Plain-end Line Pipe Dimensions, Weights, and Test Pressures (See Annex F for Metric Tables) ......... 27
Test Pressure for Size Ranges in All Grades .......................................................................................... 39
Correction Factors .................................................................................................................................... 40
Tolerance on Dimensions and Weights ................................................................................................... 42
Tolerances on Lengths ............................................................................................................................. 43
Taper Angle .............................................................................................................................................. 43
ISO Wire Penetrameter (Sensitivity 2 %) ................................................................................................. 45
Elongated Slag-inclusion-type Discontinuities (See Figure 9) ................................................................. 48
Circular Slag-inclusion- and Gas-pocket-type Discontinuities (See Figure 9) ......................................... 48
Acceptance Limits .................................................................................................................................... 51
Outside/Inside Weld Bead Height (Except ERW) .................................................................................... 53
Electric-Welded Pipe Inside Flash Trim ................................................................................................... 54
Applicable Repair Procedure ................................................................................................................... 55
Guided-bend Test Jig Dimensions (See Figure C.4) ............................................................................... 69
Minimum Elongation Values..................................................................................................................... 72
Guided-bend Test Jig Dimensions ........................................................................................................... 75
Metric Dimensions, Weights, and Test Pressures ................................................................................... 86

viii