Steel X60
ASTM API 5L X60 · GB L415
X60 (API 5L X60, EN designation L415) is a micro-alloyed line-pipe grade delivered as PSL1, normalized X60N, thermomechanically rolled X60M, quenched X60Q, sour-service X60MS/NS/QS and hot-rolled coil, with 465 MPa yield, 560 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 172 HB (87 HRB).
Reference datasheet — X60 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 X60M condition
X60 tempers and conditions
X60 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. X60M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PSL2 sour service, normalized | Normalized sour-service option, typically for seamless sour gathering lines where TMCP plate route is not available. | 455 | 555 | 28 | 178 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
PSL2, normalized / normalizing-rolled | Pick for seamless or heavier-wall pipe where uniform fine-grained ferrite-pearlite and good weldability are needed without TMCP capability. | 460 | 560 | 28 | 175 HB | — |
PSL2 sour service, thermomechanically rolled | Specify for wet H₂S (sour) gas/oil lines: very low S, Ca inclusion shape control, HIC/SSC tested, hardness capped for NACE MR0175 compliance. | 460 | 555 | 31 | 172 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
X60MDefault PSL2, thermomechanically rolled / TMCP | Default choice for modern welded (LSAW/HSAW/ERW) transmission pipe: lowest carbon equivalent, best low-temperature toughness and field weldability. | 465 | 560 | 30 | 172 HB | — |
API 5L X60 PSL1 | Lowest-cost X60 for non-critical gathering/water/structural lines where no upper strength cap, CVN or carbon-equivalent limit is required. | 470 | 565 | 26 | 180 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
PSL2 sour service, quenched and tempered | Heavy-wall sour-service pipe, bends and fittings requiring both HIC/SSC resistance and uniform through-wall properties. | 475 | 565 | 27 | 188 HB | 9 % IACS |
PSL2, quenched and tempered | Used mainly for heavy-wall seamless pipe, induction bends and fittings where through-thickness strength and toughness must be restored after hot forming. | 480 | 570 | 27 | 185 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways X60 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HR-Coil | Hot-rolled coil/plate | Supply form |
What is X60?
X60 (API 5L X60, EN designation L415) is a micro-alloyed line-pipe grade delivered as PSL1, normalized X60N, thermomechanically rolled X60M, quenched X60Q, sour-service X60MS/NS/QS and hot-rolled coil, with 465 MPa yield, 560 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 172 HB (87 HRB). The extra 50 MPa of yield over X52 lets designers thin the wall at a given pressure rating, which cuts pipe weight and welding time on long transmission lines. Weldability stays excellent (score 92) but formability is lower than X52 (score 72) and the steel still needs full external coating and cathodic protection. X60 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F). X60 has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is X60 used for?
- cross-country pipelines
- gas transmission
- offshore pipe
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 170 MPa·√m (154.7 ksi·√in), better than 98% 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 — 72/100, better than 88% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
X60 properties
Typical room-temperature values for X60-X60M; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
X60 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F).
Mechanical16
X60 has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
X60 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
X60 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of X60 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
X60's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (72/100).
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. X60 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with X60
Is X60 easy to machine?
Machines like a low-carbon micro-alloyed steel (~55–60 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups and positive-rake carbide, expect stringy chips due to low sulfur in sour grades.
Can X60 be welded?
Excellent weldability with low CE/Pcm — SAW, GMAW/FCAW and cellulosic SMAW root passes; usually no preheat below ~25 mm wall, keep heat input moderate on TMCP material to avoid HAZ softening.
Can X60 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formed into pipe by UOE/JCO/spiral and roll-bent readily; allow for springback and Bauschinger yield loss after cold expansion, hot-bent sections should be re-normalized or Q&T.
X60 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 M/Q grades ≤0.12; PSL1 seamless up to 0.28 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.45 | 0.25 |
| MnPSL1 ≤1.40 | ≤ 1.65 | 1.45 |
| Psour grades ≤0.020 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Ssour (MS/NS/QS) ≤0.003 | ≤ 0.02 | 0 |
| NbNb+V+Ti ≤0.15 total | ≤ 0.05 | 0.04 |
| V | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.5 | 0.05 |
| BM/Q grades only | ≤ 0 | 3×10⁻⁴ |
| Algrain refining / killed steel | ≤ 0.06 | 0.04 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on X60?
Bare steel requires protection: shot-blast then FBE/3LPE/3LPP external coating, internal flow coating or liquid epoxy, plus cathodic protection when buried or submerged.
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 X60 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- API 5L X60
- GB (China)
- L415
How much does X60 cost?
X60 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.
X60 — frequently asked
What is X60 used for?
X60 is typically used for cross-country pipelines, gas transmission and offshore pipe. In short: thinner wall than X52; sour-service variants available; weldable at 465 MPa yield.
What is the yield strength of X60?
X60 has a typical yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is X60 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a low-carbon micro-alloyed steel (~55–60 % of AISI 1212); use rigid setups and positive-rake carbide, expect stringy chips due to low sulfur in sour grades.
Can X60 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability with low CE/Pcm — SAW, GMAW/FCAW and cellulosic SMAW root passes; usually no preheat below ~25 mm wall, keep heat input moderate on TMCP material to avoid HAZ softening.
What surface finishes work on X60?
Bare steel requires protection: shot-blast then FBE/3LPE/3LPP external coating, internal flow coating or liquid epoxy, plus cathodic protection when buried or submerged.
Can X60 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formed into pipe by UOE/JCO/spiral and roll-bent readily; allow for springback and Bauschinger yield loss after cold expansion, hot-bent sections should be re-normalized or Q&T.
What is the maximum service temperature of X60?
X60 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between X60M and X60Q?
X60M is the default condition — default choice for modern welded (LSAW/HSAW/ERW) transmission pipe: lowest carbon equivalent, best low-temperature toughness and field weldability. X60Q: used mainly for heavy-wall seamless pipe, induction bends and fittings where through-thickness strength and toughness must be restored after hot forming. Yield strength is 465 MPa in X60M versus 480 MPa in X60Q.
How much does X60 cost?
X60 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 Spec 5L, Line Pipe (46th ed.) — American Petroleum Institute (2018)
- ISO 3183 Petroleum and natural gas industries — Steel pipe for pipeline transportation systems — ISO (2019)
- ANSI/NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 — Materials for use in H2S-containing environments — NACE/ISO (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (HSLA steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Line pipe steel plate/coil datasheets (Baosteel, ArcelorMittal, Dillinger) — various mills (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.