1. Womic Steel: Manufacturing Capabilities & Company Strength
Womic Steel Group operates multiple LSAW production lines covering three primary forming methods to meet diverse project requirements:
● JCOE Line: For diameters 406mm – 1,422mm (16″–56″), wall thickness up to 50.8mm. Step-by-step J-C-O forming with mechanical expansion. High efficiency, good roundness.
● UOE Line: For diameters 508mm – 1,220mm (20″–48″), wall thickness up to 40mm. U-forming then O-forming with hydraulic expansion. Best-in-class dimensional accuracy, preferred for deepwater and sour service.
● Rolled Plate (Single Seam): For diameters 600mm – 1,600mm (24″–63″), wall thickness from 25mm up to 60mm. Single plate rolled into a cylinder with one longitudinal weld. Ideal for heavy wall thickness beyond JCOE/UOE capacity.
● Rolled Plate (Double Seam): For wall thickness > 50.8mm up to 80mm, using two plates welded longitudinally. Commonly used for high-pressure oilfield manifold piping.
Total LSAW capacity exceeds 300,000 tons annually. Womic Steel holds API 5L Monogram, ISO 9001, CE PED, and is regularly audited by ABS, DNV, TÜV, and BV. Global track record in 80+ countries.
Production Flexibility:
● JCOE: 406–1,422mm OD × 6.0–50.8mm WT × ≤ 18m
● UOE: 508–1,220mm OD × 6.0–40.0mm WT × ≤ 24m (mechanical expansion improves roundness)
● Rolled plate (single seam): 600–1,600mm OD × 25–60mm WT × ≤ 12m (weight limit)
● Rolled plate (double seam): 1,000–2,000mm OD × 25–80mm WT × ≤ 12m
All pipes can be supplied with PWHT (post-weld heat treatment) for thick wall or sour service.
2. API 5L X42: Material Composition & Performance Characteristics
API 5L X42 is a medium-strength line pipe grade offering 290 MPa (42,100 psi) minimum yield strength and 415 MPa (60,200 psi) minimum tensile strength. It fills the gap between GR.B (245 MPa) and X52 (360 MPa), often specified for gas gathering systems where pressure requirements are moderate but higher than standard distribution lines.
Chemical Composition (Ladle Analysis, max % by mass):
| Element | API 5L X42 PSL1 (max %) | API 5L X42 PSL2 (max %) |
| C | 0.26 | 0.22 |
| Mn | 1.30 | 1.30 |
| P | 0.030 | 0.025 |
| S | 0.030 | 0.015 |
| Si | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| Nb+V+Ti | 0.05 | 0.05 (as agreed) |
PSL2 requires carbon equivalent (CEV) ≤ 0.43% for improved weldability in field conditions.
Mechanical Properties (Room Temperature):
| Property | API 5L X42 PSL1 | API 5L X42 PSL2 |
| Yield Strength (min) | 290 MPa (42,100 psi) | 290–495 MPa |
| Tensile Strength (min) | 415 MPa (60,200 psi) | 415–655 MPa |
| Elongation (min) | 23% (for 50mm gauge) | 22% |
| Hardness (max) | Not specified | 90 HRB |
| Impact Toughness (min) | Not required | 27 J @ 0°C (optional -20°C) |
Comparison with GR.B and X52:
| Grade | Yield MPa | Typical Application |
| GR.B | 245 | Standard water/gas distribution |
| X42 | 290 | Medium-pressure gas gathering, water injection |
| X52 | 360 | Higher-pressure trunk lines |
3. Dimensional Range & Standards Compliance
| Item | Specification |
| Standard | API 5L PSL1 / PSL2 (also ISO 3183 L290) |
| Manufacturing Processes | JCOE, UOE, rolled plate (single/double seam) |
| Outside Diameter Range | 219mm – 1,600mm (8″ – 63″) |
| Wall Thickness Range | JCOE/UOE: 5.0mm – 50.8mm; Rolled plate: 25mm – 60mm (up to 80mm custom) |
| Length Range | Standard: 6m, 12m, 18m; Extended: up to 24m (JCOE/UOE) or 12m (rolled plate heavy wall) |
| End Finish | Plain End (PE), Beveled End (BE) per API 5L |
| Surface Finish | Bare, Oiled, 3LPE, FBE, Coal Tar Epoxy, Liquid Epoxy |
| Tolerances | OD: ±0.5% or ±3.2mm (whichever less); WT: -0% / +15%; Length: +50mm / -0mm |
4. Available Dimensions & Specifications – API 5L X42 LSAW Steel Pipe (Selected Typical Sizes)
| OD (mm) | WT Options (mm) | Process | Approx Weight (kg/m) | Standard Length |
| 273 | 6.4, 8.0, 10.0, 12.5 | JCOE | 42.1 – 80.1 | 12m |
| 324 | 6.4, 8.0, 10.0, 12.5, 14.0 | JCOE | 50.2 – 107.1 | 12m / 18m |
| 406 | 8.0, 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0 | JCOE/UOE | 78.5 – 153.9 | 12m / 18m |
| 508 | 8.0, 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0 | UOE | 98.6 – 229.1 | 12m / 18m / 24m |
| 610 | 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0 | UOE | 148.0 – 319.1 | 12m / 18m / 24m |
| 711 | 10.0, 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4 | JCOE/UOE | 172.9 – 429.4 | 12m / 18m |
| 813 | 12.5, 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 30.0 | JCOE | 246.7 – 579.8 | 12m / 18m |
| 914 | 14.0, 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 30.0, 35.0 | JCOE | 310.8 – 759.2 | 12m / 18m |
| 1,016 | 16.0, 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 30.0, 35.0, 40.0 | JCOE/Rolled | 394.6 – 963.9 | 12m |
| 1,220 | 19.0, 22.0, 25.4, 30.0, 35.0, 40.0, 45.0 | Rolled (single seam) | 563.0 – 1,304.2 | 12m |
| 1,422 | 25.4, 30.0, 35.0, 40.0, 45.0, 50.0 | Rolled (single/double) | 875.1 – 1,692.5 | 12m |
| 1,600 | 30.0, 40.0, 50.0, 60.0 | Rolled (double seam) | 1,162 – 2,280 | 10m / 12m |
Heavy wall pipes (≥ 40mm) typically require PWHT to reduce residual stresses and meet hardness limits for sour service.
5. Common Standards & Grades – LSAW Line Pipe & Structural Pipe
| Standard | Steel Grades | Typical Application | Forming Process |
| API 5L PSL1/PSL2 | X42, X52, X60, X65, X70 | Oil/gas transmission | JCOE/UOE/Rolled |
| ASTM A53 | GR.B | Low pressure piping | JCOE |
| ASTM A106 | GR.B/C | High temperature | JCOE/Rolled |
| EN 10217-1 | S235JR, S275JR | Pressure tubes | JCOE |
| EN 10219 | S355JRH, S355J2H | Structural sections | JCOE/Rolled |
| DNV-OS-F101 | L290 (X42) | Subsea pipelines | UOE |
| BS 7191 | L290 (X42) | Offshore structural | UOE/Rolled |
Usage summary: Gas gathering networks, water injection lines, offshore risers, bridge foundation piles, slurry pipelines, heavy wall process piping in refineries.
6. Manufacturing Processes – LSAW (JCOE / UOE / Rolled Plate) for X42 Steel Pipe
Womic Steel selects the appropriate process based on diameter, wall thickness, and mechanical property requirements.
JCOE Process (406–1,422mm OD, 6.0–50.8mm WT):
● Plate edge milling (X or J bevel)
● Pre-bending (crimping) of edges
● J-shape forming (punch press)
● C-shape forming (series of dies)
● O-shape forming (final cylinder)
● Tack welding (spot tacks along seam)
● Inner SAW (single or multi-wire)
● Outer SAW (after back-gouging if needed)
● Mechanical expansion (1–1.5% OD increase for roundness & stress relief)
● Suitable for most line pipe applications, good balance of cost and quality.
UOE Process (508–1,220mm OD, 6.0–40mm WT):
● U-press forms the plate into a U-shape
● O-press closes into a cylindrical shape
● Expander (mechanical) to final diameter and roundness
● Welding similar to JCOE but with higher throughput
● Preferred for deepwater pipelines and sour service because of superior roundness (±0.2% OD) and low residual stress.
Rolled Plate (Single Seam) for Heavy Wall (600–1,600mm OD, 25–60mm WT):
● Single steel plate is rolled into a cylinder using a 3- or 4-roll bending machine
● Longitudinal seam welded with SAW (multi-pass, often double-sided)
● No mechanical expansion (roundness is achieved via rolling accuracy)
● Suitable for thick wall pipes where JCOE/UOE tooling is limited
● Often requires PWHT (stress relieving) to meet hardness requirements for sour service.
Rolled Plate (Double Seam) for Very Heavy Wall / Very Large Diameter (1,000–2,000mm OD, 25–80mm WT):
Two plates rolled into half-cylinders and welded along two longitudinal seams
Typically used for high-pressure manifold piping, penstocks, and large-diameter water hammer chambers.
All welds 100% UT and RT inspected.
Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT): For wall thickness > 32mm or for sour service (H₂S), Womic provides stress-relieving heat treatment in a car-bottom furnace or locally using induction heating. Hardness is controlled to ≤ 90 HRB (or ≤ 248 HV10).
7. Quality Control & Testing Procedures for API 5L X42 LSAW Steel Pipe
| Stage | Inspection Method | Purpose | Applicable Process |
| Plate | Chemical Analysis (OES) | Verify X42 limits | All |
| Plate | Ultrasonic (Lamination check) | Detect internal flaws | All |
| Plate | Tensile / Bend | Mechanical verification | All |
| During forming | Dimensional (diameter, ovality) | Ensure uniformity | All |
| Weld seam | 100% Automated UT (or PAUT) | Detect lack of fusion, slag, porosity | All |
| Weld seam | RT (spot or full length upon spec) | Weld quality verification | All |
| Weld seam | MPI (toes and HAZ) | Surface cracks | All |
| Finished pipe | Hydrostatic Test (per API 5L) | Pressure integrity | All |
| Finished pipe | Charpy V-Notch (PSL2) | Low-temperature toughness (27J @ 0°C) | PSL2 only |
| Finished pipe | Hardness (HRB/HV10) | Sour service compliance | PSL2 / sour |
| Finished pipe | Guided Bend / Flattening | Ductility | All |
| Finished pipe | Visual & marking | Surface condition, traceability | All |
Optional for critical service:
● HIC per NACE TM0284
● SSC per NACE TM0177
● Low-temperature impact at -20°C, -40°C or -60°C
● DWTT (Drop Weight Tear Test) for fracture propagation control
Full cross-section hardness mapping for thick wall
8. Primary Applications – API 5L X42 LSAW Steel Pipe
● Gas gathering networks – collecting natural gas from wellheads to processing plants (pressure up to 6 MPa)
● Crude oil flow lines – short-distance transport from well pad to manifold
● Water injection lines – secondary oil recovery, high pressure water (10–20 MPa)
● Offshore platform riser caissons – protective casing for risers in splash zone
● Slurry pipelines – transport of iron ore, copper concentrate, tailings
● Bridge and port piling – larger diameter, heavy wall pipe piles for deep foundations
● Industrial process piping – refinery and petrochemical medium-pressure lines
● Penstocks (heavy wall rolled plate) – hydroelectric power plants
9. Packaging & Shipping – API 5L GR.B LSAW Steel Pipe
Packaging:
● Small diameters (≤ 24″): Hexagonal bundles, steel strapped with edge protectors.
● Large diameters (> 24″): Individual pipes, separated by wooden dunnage and rubber pads.
● End caps: Heavy-duty plastic or steel caps (beveled ends protected).
● Coating protection: For 3LPE/FBE coated pipes, each layer separated with foam rings to prevent abrasion during sea freight.
Shipping methods:
● Break-bulk vessels for >500 tons or large diameters
● 20ft/40ft containers for small diameters (bundled)
● Flat racks or open-top containers for extra-long lengths (up to 24m)
● All shipments include full documentation: MTC (EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2), hydro test report, UT/PAUT reports, coating certificate (if applicable), packing list, commercial invoice, COO.
10. Womic Steel Advantages & FAQ – API 5L X42 LSAW Steel Pipe
Why Womic Steel for X42 LSAW?
● Three complementary processes (JCOE, UOE, rolled plate) covering a wide dimensional range
● Thick wall capability up to 60mm (single seam) or 80mm (double seam) for high-pressure water injection and manifold piping
● PWHT facility for stress relief of thick wall and sour service pipes
● API 5L Monogram + CE + third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TÜV, DNV)
● Quick turnaround (30–50 days typical)
● Long length up to 24m reduces field girth welds by 30–40%
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When should I choose UOE instead of JCOE for X42?
A: UOE offers better roundness (±0.2% vs ±0.5% for JCOE) and lower residual stress, making it preferred for deepwater offshore pipelines (subsea) and sour service where dimensional stability under external pressure is critical. JCOE is more cost-effective for most onshore projects.
Q: Can you make X42 heavy wall pipe beyond 50mm?
A: Yes. For wall thickness from 50mm to 60mm, we use rolled plate single seam with PWHT. For 60–80mm, double longitudinal seam. These are typically used for water injection lines at 20–30 MPa or for hydroelectric penstocks.
Q: What is the difference between PSL1 and PSL2 for X42?
A: PSL2 has tighter C, P, S limits, mandatory Charpy impact (27J @ 0°C), max hardness 90 HRB, and requires more NDT. For gas gathering lines that may experience low ambient temperatures or H₂S traces, PSL2 is recommended.
Q: Do you provide sour service X42?
A: Yes. We supply X42 PSL2 with HIC test (NACE TM0284) and SSC (NACE TM0177). Typical acceptance criteria: CLR ≤ 5%, CTR ≤ 1.5%, CSR ≤ 0.5%. We’ve supplied sour service X42 to Middle East and West Africa projects.
Q: How do you ensure weld quality for thick wall (40–60mm) pipes?
A: We use multi-pass SAW with precise heat input control, interpass temperature monitoring, and 100% automated UT with time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) for volumetric examination. PWHT is applied to relieve residual stresses.
Project Reference – West Africa Natural Gas Gathering Network
Country: Nigeria (Niger Delta region)
Standard & Grade: API 5L X42 PSL2 (sour service, HIC tested)
Dimensions & Quantity:
OD 508mm (20″) × WT 11.9mm – 12,000 meters (approx. 1,800 tons) manufactured by JCOE process
OD 762mm (30″) × WT 19.0mm – 3,500 meters (approx. 1,550 tons) manufactured by rolled plate single seam with PWHT
Specifications: External 3LPE coating (2.8mm total thickness), beveled ends 30° / 1.6mm root face, hydrotest at 8.5 MPa (design pressure 6.4 MPa). Mandatory Charpy impact at 0°C (min 27J, achieved 65–90J). HIC per NACE TM0284 Solution A, 96h – acceptance criteria: CLR ≤ 5%, CTR ≤ 1.5%, CSR ≤ 0.5%.
Application: Natural gas gathering from six wellheads to a central processing facility in the Niger Delta swampy terrain. The 30″ heavy wall pipe was used for the main header crossing a 1.2km swamp section, while 20″ JCOE pipes served as branch lines.
Technical Challenges & Solutions:
● Swamp crossing with heavy wall pipe – The 30″ × 19.0mm pipes (approx. 355 kg/m) had to be installed across a swamp with very soft clay. Conventional lay barges could not access the site. Womic Steel supplied pipes with extra-long single joints (18m instead of standard 12m) to reduce the number of field girth welds by 33%, minimizing on-site welding in difficult conditions. We also provided detailed lifting and handling recommendations including spreader beam spacing.
● Sour service compliance (H₂S present) – The associated gas contained up to 30 ppm H₂S. Womic performed HIC testing on both the 20″ JCOE and 30″ rolled plate pipes. All samples passed with CLR 0%, CTR 0%, CSR 0%. For the 30″ pipe (19mm WT), client required hardness below 85 HRB (stricter than API 5L's 90 HRB). Womic applied local induction heating to the weld seam to ensure uniform hardness. Results: base metal 78–82 HRB, weld 80–85 HRB.
● 3LPE coating adhesion in high humidity – Swamp installation meant pipes would be immersed in water for weeks before backfill. Standard 3LPE can experience cathodic disbondment if application humidity is not controlled. Womic applied the coating in a climate-controlled workshop (max 60% RH) and performed 100% holiday detection at 5kV. Peel strength tested at 25°C gave > 200 N/cm, well above ISO 21809 requirement of 100 N/cm.
● Logistics to remote site – Pipes were shipped from Shanghai to Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, then trucked 380km to the Niger Delta site. Road conditions were poor with weight restrictions. Womic designed a shipment plan using 12m standard lengths for 20″ pipes (bundled) and 18m single joints for 30″ pipes on flatbed trailers with escort vehicles. No coating damage or bending occurred during transit.
● Result: The gas gathering network was commissioned in Q1 2024. All 1,550 tons of 30″ pipe and 1,800 tons of 20″ pipe passed third-party inspection by SGS Nigeria. The client reported zero weld defects during field girth welding, attributed to the consistent bevel geometry and ovality control (≤ 0.3% for JCOE pipes, ≤ 0.5% for rolled plate pipes). Womic Steel is now listed as an approved supplier for the client's future pipeline expansions.
Contact:
Website: www.womicsteel.com
E-mail: sales@womicsteel.com
Tel / WhatsApp / WeChat:
Victor: +86 15575100681
Jack: +86 18390957568
Womic Steel – Your reliable partner for API 5L X42 LSAW pipes for medium-pressure gas gathering, water injection, and sour service applications.
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