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Resources/Materials & grades/API 5L X42 / L290

Materials & grades

API 5L X42 / L290 line pipe (PSL1 and PSL2)

API 5L X42 (ISO 3183 L290) is a line pipe grade with a minimum yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi). It is supplied as PSL1 or PSL2 pipe for low-pressure oil, gas and water gathering and distribution lines. PSL2 adds a yield ceiling, tighter chemistry and mandatory impact testing.

Names by standard

What it is called in each region

RegionSystemDesignationNormaMatch
USAAPI 5L (PSL1 name)X42Grade name used for PSL1 pipe. The number is the minimum yield strength in ksi, rounded (42.1 ksi = 290 MPa).API Spec 5L, 46th editionSame material
API 5L (PSL2 designation)X42R / X42N / X42Q / X42MPSL2 names add a delivery-condition letter. Sour-service and offshore pipe add S or O, for example X42NS.API Spec 5L, 46th editionSame material
API 5L / ISO 3183 (metric name)L290Metric grade name; the number is the minimum yield strength in MPa. X42 and L290 are the same steel grade.API Spec 5L, 46th editionSame material
UKBS EN ISO 3183L290R / L290N / L290Q / L290MThe UK adopts the European edition of ISO 3183; grade names are the metric names with a delivery-condition letter.BS EN ISO 3183Same material
BS EN 10208-2 (legacy)L290NBWithdrawn; replaced by BS EN ISO 3183. Class B pipe, seamless.BS EN 10208-2Equivalent
EUEN ISO 3183 nameL290R / L290N / L290Q / L290MCurrent European line pipe standard, the CEN adoption of ISO 3183.EN ISO 3183Same material
EN 10208-2 name (legacy)L290NBSuperseded by EN ISO 3183 (withdrawn around 2012). Seamless. Minimum yield matches; limits on yield maximum, tensile and chemistry differ from API 5L PSL2.EN 10208-2Equivalent
EN 10027-2 number (EN 10208-2)1.0484Material number of L290NB.EN 10208-2Equivalent
DIN 17172 (legacy)StE 290.7Old German line pipe name, superseded by EN 10208-2 in 1996.DIN 17172Equivalent
IndiaAPI 5L (ordered directly)X42Indian pipe makers and pipeline owners order and certify to API 5L or ISO 3183 directly. IS 3589 covers pipe for water and sewage, not line pipe grades; the Indian adoption of ISO 3183 is listed below.API Spec 5LSame material
IS/ISO 3183:2019L290Identical adoption of ISO 3183:2019 under single numbering (BIS second revision). It supersedes IS/ISO 3183:2012 and the earlier IS/ISO 3183:2007, both withdrawn; the 2007 edition amalgamated IS 1978 (line pipe) and IS 1979 (high test line pipe).IS/ISO 3183:2019Equivalent
JapanAPI 5L / ISO 3183 (used directly)X42 / L290Japan has no separate line pipe grade system. Mills and operators use API 5L and ISO 3183. JIS G 3454 (STPG) and G 3455 (STS) are pressure-piping standards, not equivalents.API Spec 5L / ISO 3183Same material

On equivalence

  • X42 and L290 are the same grade under two naming conventions: the X number is the minimum yield strength in ksi, the L number is the same strength in MPa.
  • EN ISO 3183 uses the L290 names with a delivery-condition letter. The older European standard EN 10208-2 named the class B equivalents L290NB; it was withdrawn around 2012 and those grades are equivalents, not identical specifications (yield maximum, tensile and chemistry differ).
  • StE 290.7 is the old DIN 17172 name; sources agree on it for X42.
  • India has no separate grade names for API line pipe. BIS publishes ISO 3183 unchanged as IS/ISO 3183:2019, so the L-grade names apply there; IS 1978 and IS 1979 were amalgamated into IS/ISO 3183:2007, since withdrawn and superseded. IS 3589 covers pipe for water and sewage. In practice Indian projects specify API 5L or ISO 3183.
  • Japan uses API 5L and ISO 3183 directly. JIS G 3454 (STPG) and JIS G 3455 (STS) are piping standards with different grades and scope; they are not line pipe equivalents.
  • Source tables disagree on small points. Older API editions converted ksi to MPa (42 ksi = 290 MPa); the 46th edition uses the rounded metric minimum (290 MPa). Some published tables still show the older figures.

Chemical composition

Composition limits, mass %

ElementX42 / L290 PSL1, seamless, up to 25 mm wallUSA · API Spec 5L, 46th edition (PSL1)X42 / L290 PSL1, welded, up to 25 mm wallUSA · API Spec 5L, 46th edition (PSL1)L290R / X42R and L290N / X42N (seamless and welded), up to 25 mm wallUSA · API Spec 5L, 46th edition (PSL2)L290Q / X42Q (seamless and welded), up to 25 mm wallUSA · API Spec 5L, 46th edition (PSL2)L290M / X42M (welded only), up to 25 mm wallUSA · API Spec 5L, 46th edition (PSL2)L290NB (1.0484), normalized, as listed by ArvediEU · EN 10208-2 (withdrawn)
C≤0.28≤0.26≤0.24≤0.18≤0.22≤0.17
Si——≤0.40≤0.45≤0.45≤0.40
Mn≤1.30≤1.30≤1.20≤1.40≤1.30≤1.20
P≤0.030≤0.030≤0.025≤0.025≤0.025≤0.025
S≤0.030≤0.030≤0.015≤0.015≤0.015≤0.020
Cr≤0.50≤0.50≤0.30≤0.30≤0.30—
Ni≤0.50≤0.50≤0.30≤0.30≤0.30—
Mo≤0.15≤0.15≤0.15≤0.15≤0.15—
V——≤0.06≤0.05≤0.05≤0.05
Cu≤0.50≤0.50≤0.50≤0.50≤0.50—
B——≤0.001≤0.001≤0.001—
Ti——≤0.04≤0.04≤0.04≤0.04
Nb——≤0.05≤0.05≤0.05≤0.05
Nb+V+Ti≤0.15 unless otherwise agreed≤0.15 unless otherwise agreed————
CEnot specifiednot specified———≤0.42
CEIIW——≤0.43 (C >0.12)≤0.43 (C >0.12)≤0.43 (C >0.12)—
CEPcm——≤0.25 (C ≤0.12)≤0.25 (C ≤0.12)≤0.25 (C ≤0.12)—

Mechanical properties

Strength and hardness

ConditionTensile strengthYield strengthElongationHardness
PSL1, X42 / L290, pipe bodySpecified minimums only; no maximum yield or tensile; elongation depends on size by formulaAPI Spec 5L, 46th edition; minimums confirmed for PSL2 by Mannesmann≥415 MPa≥60.2 ksi≥290 MPa≥42.1 ksi——
PSL2, X42R / X42N / X42Q / X42M, pipe bodySpecified minimum and maximum; yield-to-tensile ratio ≤0.93; Charpy V-notch test required; elongation depends on size by formulaAPI Spec 5L, 46th edition as listed by Mannesmann (Salzgitter)415–655 MPa60.2–95.0 ksi290–495 MPa42.1–71.8 ksi——
EN 10208-2 L290NB (withdrawn), normalizedSpecified; yield has a maximum, tensile a minimum onlyEN 10208-2 as listed by Arvedi≥415 MPa≥60.2 ksi290–440 MPa42.1–63.8 ksi21 %—

In practice

Behaviour, heat treatment and uses

Characteristics

  • Minimum yield 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and minimum tensile 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) apply to both PSL levels; PSL2 also caps yield at 495 MPa and tensile at 655 MPa.
  • PSL2 limits the yield-to-tensile ratio to 0.93, which keeps some strain-hardening capacity in the pipe.
  • PSL2 requires Charpy V-notch impact testing; PSL1 does not. Minimum energy and test temperature depend on grade, size and the purchase order.
  • Weldability is controlled in PSL2 by a carbon-equivalent limit: CE (IIW) ≤0.43 when carbon is above 0.12 %, CE (Pcm) ≤0.25 when carbon is 0.12 % or below. PSL1 sets no carbon-equivalent limit.
  • R (as rolled) is a PSL2 delivery condition for X42 (X42R) as well as N, Q and M; the higher grades on this site are not made as R.
  • Sour-service (S) and offshore (O) variants are PSL2 only and add hardness and chemistry limits.
  • The edition behind these values is the 46th (2018). API published a 47th edition in 2026 that revises chemical element ranges among other items; confirm limits against the edition on your purchase order.

Heat treatment

  • Delivery condition is part of the PSL2 grade name: R as rolled, N normalized (or normalizing formed), Q quenched and tempered, M thermomechanical rolled or formed.
  • PSL1 names carry no condition letter; PSL1 pipe is delivered in a condition set by the standard for the process or agreed with the buyer.
  • Seamless pipe is commonly supplied normalized or quenched and tempered; welded pipe is commonly made from normalized, as-rolled or thermomechanically rolled strip or plate, depending on grade and mill.
  • Field welding procedures should be qualified for the actual carbon equivalent; preheat depends on wall thickness and CE, not on the grade name alone.

Usos habituales

  • Oil, gas and water gathering and distribution lines at modest pressure
  • Plant and utility process lines specified to line pipe standards
  • Pipeline repairs and tie-ins in older X42 systems

Pipe and tube steels

Similar grades compared

GradoC %Mn %Cr %Ni %Tensile, first listed condition
API 5L X42 / L290≤0.28≤1.30≤0.50≤0.50≥415 MPa
API 5L X52 / L360≤0.28≤1.40≤0.50≤0.50≥460 MPa
API 5L X60 / L415≤0.28≤1.40≤0.50≤0.50≥520 MPa
API 5L X65 / L450≤0.28≤1.40≤0.50≤0.50≥535 MPa
API 5L X70 / L485≤0.28≤1.40≤0.50≤0.50≥570 MPa
A53 Grade B≤0.30≤1.20≤0.40≤0.40≥415 MPa
A106 Grade B≤0.300.29–1.06≤0.40≤0.40≥415 MPa
A500 Grade B / C≤0.26≤1.35——≥400 MPa
IS Yst 310≤0.26≤1.35——≥330 MPa
S355J2H≤0.23≤1.35——470–630 MPa

Composition from the US standard where one exists, otherwise the first standard listed on each grade's page. Strength conditions differ between grades; open a grade for its full table.

Preguntas resueltas

Common questions

What is the difference between PSL1 and PSL2 in API 5L?

PSL2 is the stricter level. It sets maximum as well as minimum yield and tensile strength, limits yield-to-tensile ratio to 0.93, lowers sulphur and phosphorus, caps carbon equivalent, and requires impact testing. PSL1 sets minimum strength only and has no impact or carbon-equivalent requirement.

What is the equivalent of API 5L X42 in ISO 3183 and Europe?

ISO 3183 and EN ISO 3183 call it L290, with a delivery-condition letter for PSL2 such as L290N or L290M. The older European standard EN 10208-2 named it L290NB, and the old German name was StE 290.7.

What do the letters R, N, Q and M mean in X42N or L290M?

They are the delivery condition of PSL2 pipe: R as rolled, N normalized, Q quenched and tempered, M thermomechanically rolled or formed. M is for welded pipe only.

Is there an Indian or Japanese standard grade for X42?

Not as a separate grade. India publishes ISO 3183 unchanged as IS/ISO 3183:2019, where X42 appears as L290, and projects also order API 5L directly; IS 3589 is a water and sewage pipe standard. Japan uses API 5L and ISO 3183 directly; JIS G 3454 STPG pipe is a different, pressure-piping product.

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Keep reading

API 5L X52 / L360API 5L X52 (ISO 3183 L360) is a line pipe grade with a minimum yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi).API 5L X60 / L415API 5L X60 (ISO 3183 L415) is a line pipe grade with a minimum yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi).API 5L X65 / L450API 5L X65 (ISO 3183 L450) is a line pipe grade with a minimum yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi).API 5L X70 / L485API 5L X70 (ISO 3183 L485) is a line pipe grade with a minimum yield strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi).A53 Grade BASTM A53 Grade B is the general-purpose US carbon steel pipe for water, gas, air and low-pressure steam, supplied black or hot-dip galvanized, welded (Type E) or seamless (Type S), with a 240 MPa (35 ksi) minimum yield and 415 MPa (60 ksi) minimum tensile strength.A106 Grade BASTM A106 Grade B (ASME SA-106) is the standard seamless carbon steel pipe for high-temperature service in refineries, power plants and process lines, with a 240 MPa (35 ksi) minimum yield and 415 MPa (60 ksi) minimum tensile strength.NormalizingNormalizing heats steel above its upper critical temperature and lets it cool in still air to give a fine, uniform ferrite–pearlite structure.Quenching and temperingQuenching and tempering hardens steel by cooling it rapidly from the austenite range to form martensite, then reheats it below Ac1 to trade some hardness for toughness.

References

Sources

  1. API Specification 5L, 46th edition (announcement and effective date) — Edition the values on this page follow.
  2. API announces 47th edition of API Specification 5L (2026) — Newer edition; the standard's own tables were not available to check.
  3. Mannesmann (Salzgitter): L290N / X42N, API 5L PSL 2 grade data — Composition maxima, yield and tensile limits.
  4. Mannesmann (Salzgitter): L290M / X42M, API 5L PSL 2 grade data — Composition maxima, yield and tensile limits.
  5. Nippon Steel: Steel tube and pipe catalog (applicable specifications, sour and offshore grades) — Lists API 5L grades B to X100, ISO 3183, and QS/QO grades; lists JIS G 3454 and G 3455 as separate pressure-piping standards.
  6. Arvedi: steels for large diameter pipelines (API 5L and EN 10208-2) — PSL1 minimum yield and tensile strength for X42 and X52; EN 10208-2 material numbers.
  7. BIS: IS/ISO 3183:2007, Petroleum and natural gas industries, steel pipe for pipeline transportation systems (withdrawn) — Identical adoption of ISO 3183 that amalgamated IS 1978 and IS 1979.
  8. METI (Japan): list of applicable standards naming ISO 3183 (API 5L) as the line pipe standard — Lists JIS G 3454, G 3455 and G 3456 as piping standards and ISO 3183 (API 5L) separately as line pipe.
  9. Genorma: EN 10208-2:2009 (withdrawn) — Withdrawn; replaced by EN ISO 3183.
  10. Bühlmann Group: steel line pipe product table (EN 10208-2 material numbers) — EN 10208-2 grade names and material numbers.
  11. Tubing China: chemical composition for API 5L PSL 2 pipes — PSL2 chemical limits by grade and delivery condition; cross-checked against Mannesmann for the grades it lists.
  12. Tubing China: chemical composition for API 5L PSL 1 pipes — PSL1 carbon and manganese limits for seamless and welded pipe.
  13. ProjectMaterials: API 5L PSL1 vs PSL2 — Differences between the two product specification levels.
  14. Total Materia: API Grade X52 PSL 1 and PSL 2 (cross-references, API 5L 2004 values) — Older-edition values and the L 360 GA, StE 360.7 cross-references.
  15. Valve World Americas: API publishes 47th edition of line pipe standards — Lists the topics changed in the 47th edition, including chemical element ranges.
  16. API announces 47th edition of API Specification 5L (news release, 2 June 2026) — Confirms the 47th edition was published in June 2026 and lists chemical element ranges among the updated topics; gives no values.
  17. BIS: IS/ISO 3183:2019, Petroleum and natural gas industries, steel pipe for pipeline transportation systems (second revision) — Latest Indian adoption of ISO 3183 listed by BIS; identical under single numbering; supersedes IS/ISO 3183:2012.
  18. BIS: IS/ISO 3183:2012 (first revision, withdrawn, superseded by IS/ISO 3183:2019) — Shows the chain 2007, 2012, 2019.
  19. Krakatau POSCO: plate for pipeline, API 5L 45th edition table — Independent mill table: PSL2 yield and tensile ranges, yield-to-tensile 0.93, and M-grade chemistry.
  20. Salzgitter Flachstahl: hot-rolled coils for large-diameter pipes (EN 10208-2 and API 5L grade correspondence) — Independent mill table: PSL2 N and M chemistry, including X60N carbon equivalent as agreed.
  21. Mannesmann (Salzgitter): L290 / X42, API 5L PSL 1 grade data — PSL1 welded C 0.26 and Mn 1.30 maxima; minimum yield and tensile.
  22. Octal Steel: API 5L X42 specification — States the PSL2 tensile maximum of 655 MPa for grades up to X46.

Values summarize published limits and typical data. The governing standard and the current edition control; check them before specifying.