API 5L CERTIFIED MANUFACTURER

API 5L X46 Steel Pipe

Seamless · ERW · LSAW · SSAW — Factory-Direct from China

Yield strength 320 MPa (L320). PSL1 & PSL2 with sour service HIC testing. Cutting, beveling, 3LPE coating. Bulk Supply From Factory. Support Flexible Steel MOQ. Full Technical Support.

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320 MPa

Min Yield Strength

4 Forms

SMLS / ERW / LSAW / SSAW

60+

Export Countries

Standard

API 5L / ISO 3183

Grade

X46 (L320)

States of Delivery

R, N, Q, and M

PSL Levels

PSL1 & PSL2

Sour Service

HIC / SSC Ready

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

API 5L X46 Steel Pipe Supplier

Gnee provide fully certified Seamless and Welded (LSAW, SSAW, ERW) API 5L X46 pipes in both PSL1 and PSL2 specifications. We support x46 pipe NACE MR0175, HIC/SSC testing, and full NDT inspections (UT/MT/RT). All orders include original MTCs and third-party reports.

For medium-pressure projects, Grade X46 reduces material costs by over 15% compared to X52/X60. It also delivers excellent weldability and formability. Contact us for customized solutions for API 5L X46 line pipes.

Min Yield

320 MPa

Min Tensile

435 MPa

ISO Equivalent

L320

PSL Levels

PSL1 & PSL2

API 5L X46 Seamless Steel Pipe Cross Section

18+ Years Manufacturing

MANUFACTURING FORMS

4 Pipe Manufacturing Types Available

Each manufacturing process offers distinct advantages. We supply all four forms to match your project’s technical and budget requirements.

API 5L X46 SMLS Pipe

Seamless (SMLS)

No weld seam. Higher integrity and uniformity. Best for high-pressure, critical service, and small-diameter applications.

★ Highest Integrity

API 5L X 46 ERW Pipe

ERW (Electric Resistance Welded)

Cost-effective. Widely used for small-to-medium diameter gathering lines and distribution systems. Weld seam tested by UT.

★ Best Value

LSAW Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded Pipe

API 5L X46 LSAW Pipe

LSAW (Longitudinal SAW)

Medium to large diameter pipe with a single longitudinal weld. Common in long-distance onshore transmission pipelines.

★ Large Diameter

API 5L X46 SSAW Pipe

SSAW (Spiral SAW)

Produced from steel coil with spiral weld. Can produce very large diameters at lower cost. Ideal for water injection lines.

★ Extra Large Bore

CRITICAL CHOICE

PSL1 vs PSL2 — Which Should You Choose?

PSL1

Chemistry: Standard limits

Yield Control: Lower limit only

Charpy Test: Not required

NDT: Not always required

Sour Service: Not available

Cost: Lower

Best for: Standard onshore pipelines with no H₂S, no extreme temperatures, no subsea installation.

PSL2

Chemistry: Stricter — lower C, P, S

Yield Control: Upper + lower limits

Charpy Test: Required

NDT: Required on all pipe

Sour Service: Available (Annex H)

Cost: Higher — extra testing

Best for: Sour gas fields, subsea pipelines, offshore platforms. Required by Saudi Aramco, ADNOC.

GRADE COMPARISON

How X46 Compares to Other API 5L Grades

Grade	ISO Name	Min Yield	Min Tensile	Typical Application
Grade B	L245	245 MPa	415 MPa	General service, low pressure
X42	L290	290 MPa	415 MPa	City gas, low-medium pressure
X46	L320	320 MPa	435 MPa	Legacy systems, medium pressure
X52	L360	360 MPa	460 MPa	Medium-high pressure transmission
X60	L415	415 MPa	520 MPa	Long-distance high-pressure
X65	L450	450 MPa	535 MPa	High-pressure offshore

10% More Yield Than X42

X46 provides 10% more yield strength than X42 — the right upgrade when X42 is insufficient.

11% Less Than X52 — Save Cost

Using X52 when X46 is sufficient means paying for strength you don’t need. X46 is the efficient choice.

VALUE-ADDED SERVICES

In-House Processing — Ready to Install on Arrival

All processing completed before shipment. Your material arrives ready to use — saving time and labor on site.

Cut to Length

Precision cold saws and automated cutting machines. Tolerance ±1mm. All pipe types supported.

Pipe Beveling

Pipe Beveling (End Prep)

Standard 30° ± 2.5° bevel per API 5L / ASME B16.25. Compound bevel for heavy wall. Square cut for mechanical joints.

Threading & Coupling

API line pipe thread (LP), NPT, BSPT. Coupling supply and hand-tight make-up. Up to 4″ OD.

Shot Blasting

Sa 2.5 (Near White Metal) or Sa 3.0 (White Metal) per ISO 8501-1. Creates anchor profile for coating adhesion.

External Coating

External Anti-Corrosion Coating

FBE, 2LPE, 3LPE, 3LPP, coal tar epoxy. All per ISO 21809. Holiday detection and adhesion testing included.

Internal Lining

Internal Coating & Lining

Internal FBE (100–300 µm), liquid epoxy, cement mortar lining. Improves flow efficiency by up to 15%.

Hydrostatic Testing

API 5L + custom pressure

NDT Inspection

UT / MPI / RT / ECT

Custom Marking

Color coding, barcode, tags

Export Packaging

Seaworthy bundles + caps

APPLICATIONS

Where API 5L X46 Pipe Is Used

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas Gathering Lines

Collect oil/gas from wellheads to central processing. X46 PSL2 with HIC testing handles sour gas, wet gas, multiphase flow at moderate pressures.

Legacy Systems

Legacy Pipeline Replacement

Matching original X46 spec avoids costly re-engineering of flanges, valves, and branch connections in aging infrastructure across North America, Middle East, and SE Asia.

Water Injection

Water Injection & Disposal Lines

Oilfield water management systems. X46 provides the right strength level for large-volume water handling under moderate pressure.

Petrochemical

Petrochemical & Refineries

Process piping for medium-pressure services where resistance to mild corrosion and good weldability are key design requirements.

Pressure Vessels

Pressure Vessels & Heat Exchangers

X46 material for fabrication of pressure vessels and heat exchanger shells within the grade’s operating range. Common in chemical and pharma.

Industrial

General Industrial Applications

Chemical processing, paper & pulp, mining, and general industrial facilities for fluid and gas transport at moderate pressure.

PROVEN TRACK RECORD

Real Buyer Cases — Global API 5L X46 Projects

UAE Case

OIL GATHERING REHAB

45km Crude Oil Gathering Network Rehabilitation

API 5L X46 PSL2 LSAW, 16″ & 20″, HIC tested, EN 10204 3.1, BV inspection. Matched original 1980s spec — avoided costly re-engineering.

BV Inspected Zero Rejections

U.K. Case

SOUR GAS LINE

28km Sour Gas Gathering Line — NACE MR0175

X46 PSL2, X46M delivery, HIC per NACE TM0284, SSC per NACE TM0177, Charpy at -20°C, 3LPE coating. Full documentation package.

-20°C Charpy Full NACE Docs

Mexico Case

COST SAVINGS

Petrochemical Expansion — X46 vs X52 Saved 9%

X46 SMLS 4″–10″, SCH 80, plain ends. From in-stock inventory. Loaded in 8 working days. Buyer saved 9% vs X52 quote from local distributor.

9% Cost Saving 8-Day Loading 2 Repeat Orders

OMAN Case

WATER INJECTION

Seawater Injection System — Dual-Coated Pipe

X46 PSL2 ERW, 8″, external 3LPE + internal FBE lining for high-chloride seawater. Strict deadline met — arrived 4 days ahead of schedule.

3LPE + FBE 4 Days Early

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is API 5L X46 the same as L320?

Yes. L320 is the ISO 3183 designation for the same pipe. “X46” is the American API designation, and “L320” is the international ISO designation. Both refer to the same minimum yield strength of 320 MPa (46,000 psi). If your project uses ISO 3183, specify L320. If it uses API 5L, specify X46. They are the same material made to the same requirements.

Why is X46 less common than X42 or X52?

X46 occupies a narrow performance band between X42 and X52. Most new pipeline projects are designed to either X42 (sufficient for lower pressures) or X52 (preferred for medium-high pressure transmission). X46 is most commonly used for legacy system maintenance — where the original design specified X46 — and for specific project calculations where this exact strength range is the most efficient solution.

Can API 5L X46 PSL2 be used in sour service (H₂S) environments?

Yes, but only with the correct additional testing. For sour service, you need X46 PSL2 with HIC testing per NACE TM0284 and SSC testing per NACE TM0177. The pipe must also meet hardness requirements per NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156. Always specify “sour service” or “Annex H compliance” when ordering pipe for H₂S-containing environments.

What is the difference between X46N, X46Q, and X46M?

These are different delivery conditions. N (Normalized) is heated and air-cooled to refine grain structure. Q (Quenched & Tempered) is the highest strength and toughness option for demanding applications. M (Thermomechanical) uses controlled rolling to achieve fine-grain microstructure without separate heat treatment. For sour service and low-temperature applications, X46Q or X46M are typically specified.

What documents should I request with my API 5L X46 order?

Always request: Mill Test Report (MTR) per EN 10204 Type 3.1, Certificate of Origin, Packing List, and Commercial Invoice. For PSL2 and critical projects, additionally request: Charpy impact test results, HIC and SSC test reports (for sour service), hydrostatic test records, NDT inspection reports, and a third-party inspection certificate (SGS, BV, or TÜV).

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

For standard sizes in stock, most suppliers accept from 1 metric ton. For non-stock sizes or PSL2 with special testing, the minimum is typically 5–20 metric tons. X46 is a less common grade, so stock availability may be more limited — confirm with your supplier before planning your procurement schedule.

How long does delivery take from China?

For in-stock items: loading in 7–10 working days. For production orders: 4–8 weeks, plus 1–2 additional weeks for coating if required. Sea freight from Tianjin or Qingdao port: 18–25 days to Middle East (Dammam, Jebel Ali), 14–18 days to Southeast Asia, 22–30 days to Africa.

ORDER GUIDE

How to Order API 5L X46 Pipe Correctly

Include these 8 items when contacting your supplier for a complete technical and commercial proposal within 24 hours:

1 Standard: API 5L (or ISO 3183 for L320)

2 Grade: X46 (L320)

3 PSL Level: PSL1 or PSL2

4 Delivery Condition: R / N / Q / M

5 Pipe Type: Seamless / ERW / LSAW / SSAW

6 Size: Outer diameter × wall thickness

7 Length: 6m / 12m / cut-to-length

8 Coating: None / 3LPE / FBE / Internal lining

Gnee Steel Pipe Factory — 35,000 m²

24-Hour Quote Response

WHY GNEE STEEL

18+ Years. Factory-Direct. 60+ Countries.

18+

Years Experience

35,000

m² Production Space

5,000t

Permanent Stock

60+

Export Countries

All Forms Available

Seamless, ERW, LSAW, SSAW — all in standard and custom sizes

Full Sour Service Testing

HIC / SSC per NACE standards, Charpy impact at low temperatures

ISO 9001, API 5L Certified

EN 10204 Type 3.1 & 3.2, SGS / BV / TÜV third-party inspection

In-House Processing

Cutting, beveling, coating, threading — all completed before shipment

Experienced Logistics

Export to 60+ countries with complete documentation team

24-Hour Response

Technical sales team available every day, including weekends & holidays

Ready to Get a Factory Quote?

Tell us your specification — grade, PSL, size, coating, quantity, and destination. We respond within 24 hours.