Steel X52
ASTM API 5L X52 · GB L360
X52 (API 5L X52, EN designation L360) is a micro-alloyed line-pipe steel supplied in PSL1 and PSL2 deliveries as rolled, normalized, thermomechanically rolled or quenched-and-tempered, including sour-service MS, NS and QS variants.
Reference datasheet — X52 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the M condition
X52 tempers and conditions
X52 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
API 5L X52 PSL1 | Lowest-cost X52 for non-critical, non-sour, moderate-temperature lines where impact testing is not required. | 400 | 520 | 26 | 170 HB | 10 % IACS |
L360R / X52R | PSL2 as-rolled condition with guaranteed CVN and CE limits; economical for small-diameter welded pipe. | 400 | 520 | 26 | 170 HB | 10 % IACS |
Normalized | Pick when uniform fine-grain structure and good low-temperature toughness are needed in seamless pipe or after hot induction bending. | 405 | 525 | 29 | 160 HB | 10 % IACS |
L360NS / X52NS | Normalized seamless pipe for sour gas gathering lines; HIC/SSC qualified with ≤250 HV10 hardness limit. | 405 | 525 | 29 | 176 HB | 10 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Default modern choice for welded (ERW/SAWL/SAWH) transmission line pipe: lowest carbon equivalent, best field weldability and excellent low-temperature toughness. | 415 | 530 | 30 | 165 HB | 10 % IACS |
L360QS / X52QS | Heavy-wall sour-service pipe combining Q&T toughness with HIC/SSC-qualified clean steel chemistry. | 425 | 540 | 28 | 13 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
L360Q / X52Q | Choose for heavy-wall seamless pipe, risers and induction bends where high uniform toughness through thick sections is required. | 430 | 545 | 28 | 12 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways X52 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
MS | L360MS / X52MS | Coating |
CE | Cold expanded | Certification |
What is X52?
X52 (API 5L X52, EN designation L360) is a micro-alloyed line-pipe steel supplied in PSL1 and PSL2 deliveries as rolled, normalized, thermomechanically rolled or quenched-and-tempered, including sour-service MS, NS and QS variants. Typical properties are 415 MPa yield, 530 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 165 HB, with high field weldability (score 92) and very good cold formability (score 80) for UOE, JCOE and spiral pipe making. The steel has no corrosion resistance of its own and depends on external coating and cathodic protection; X60 is the next step up when wall thickness must be reduced. X52 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). X52 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is X52 used for?
- oil pipelines
- gas pipelines
- welded pipe
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 180 MPa·√m (163.8 ksi·√in), better than 99% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
X52 properties
Typical room-temperature values for X52-M; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
X52 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
X52 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
X52 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
X52 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of X52 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
X52's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (80/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. X52 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with X52
Is X52 easy to machine?
Machines like 1020–1025 C-Mn steel (~65 % of AISI 1212); use coated carbide, moderate speeds, ample coolant — micro-alloy carbonitrides cause slightly faster flank wear than plain carbon steel.
Can X52 be welded?
Excellent field weldability (CE_IIW ≤0.43, Pcm ≤0.25): SMAW cellulosic/low-hydrogen, GMAW/FCAW or automatic GTAW root; typically no preheat above 10 mm wall unless ambient <5 °C, avoid high heat input in TMCP material to protect HAZ toughness.
Can X52 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — UOE/JCOE plate forming, spiral coil forming and cold field bends to 1.5 D; hot induction bending should be followed by re-normalizing or Q&T requalification to restore properties.
X52 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CPSL2 L360M/N; PSL1 seamless up to 0.28 | ≤ 0.22 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.45 | 0.25 |
| MnPSL1 up to 1.40 | ≤ 1.4 | 1.15 |
| Psour grades ≤0.020 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ssour (MS/NS/QS) ≤0.003 | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| Nbmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Vmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| TiNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.15 total | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Cr0.50 max for some PSL2 conditions | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| B | ≤ 5×10⁻⁴ | 2×10⁻⁴ |
| Algrain refinement / deoxidation | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on X52?
Standard finish is grit-blast plus FBE, 3-layer PE/PP or coal-tar coating with cathodic protection; internal flow-coat epoxy is common for gas lines. Not anodizable; phosphating or zinc metallizing for above-ground sections.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel X52 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- API 5L X52
- GB (China)
- L360
How much does X52 cost?
X52 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
X52 — frequently asked
What is X52 used for?
X52 is typically used for oil pipelines, gas pipelines and welded pipe. In short: baseline transmission pipe grade; best field weldability; cold field bends to 1.5 D.
What is the yield strength of X52?
X52 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is X52 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like 1020–1025 C-Mn steel (~65 % of AISI 1212); use coated carbide, moderate speeds, ample coolant — micro-alloy carbonitrides cause slightly faster flank wear than plain carbon steel.
Can X52 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent field weldability (CE_IIW ≤0.43, Pcm ≤0.25): SMAW cellulosic/low-hydrogen, GMAW/FCAW or automatic GTAW root; typically no preheat above 10 mm wall unless ambient <5 °C, avoid high heat input in TMCP material to protect HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on X52?
Standard finish is grit-blast plus FBE, 3-layer PE/PP or coal-tar coating with cathodic protection; internal flow-coat epoxy is common for gas lines. Not anodizable; phosphating or zinc metallizing for above-ground sections.
Can X52 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — UOE/JCOE plate forming, spiral coil forming and cold field bends to 1.5 D; hot induction bending should be followed by re-normalizing or Q&T requalification to restore properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of X52?
X52 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between X52-M and X52 PSL1?
M is the default condition — default modern choice for welded (ERW/SAWL/SAWH) transmission line pipe: lowest carbon equivalent, best field weldability and excellent low-temperature toughness. PSL1: lowest-cost X52 for non-critical, non-sour, moderate-temperature lines where impact testing is not required. Yield strength is 415 MPa in M versus 400 MPa in PSL1.
How much does X52 cost?
X52 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- API Specification 5L, Line Pipe (46th ed.) — American Petroleum Institute (2018)
- ISO 3183 Petroleum and natural gas industries — Steel pipe for pipeline transportation systems — ISO (2019)
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-2 (sour service materials) — NACE/ISO (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Line pipe grade data (Tenaris, Vallourec, / ) — various producers (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.