API 5L X52 Tee Manufacturing for Large-Diameter Pipeline Applications
Haihao Group has supplied a batch of large-diameter pipeline fittings for a Saudi Arabia NEOM project, including 80-inch equal tees and reduced tees manufactured from API 5L X52 PSL-2-W plate.
The order focuses on large-diameter branch connections with reinforcement pads. The supplied products include an 80-inch equal tee, an 80-inch × 48-inch reduced tee and a 72-inch × 48-inch reduced tee. Wall thicknesses range from 15.88 mm to 20.62 mm.
For large pipeline systems, the fitting itself is only one part of the engineering requirement. Material properties, branch reinforcement, dimensional control and corrosion protection all need to be considered together. This is why the production of API 5L X52 fittings requires careful coordination between material preparation, fabrication, inspection and coating.
Hebei Haihao Group undertakes Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project 80 inch pipe fittings with external 3PE and internal FBE coating
Product Parameters
The main product parameters from this project are shown below.
| Product | Size | Wall Thickness | Material | Raw Material | Coating |
| Equal Tee with Reinforcement Pad | 80″ | 20.62 mm | API 5L X52 PSL-2-W | Plate | External 3PE / Internal FBE |
| Reduced Tee with Complete Reinforcement Pad | 80″ × 48″ | 20.62 mm / 15.88 mm | API 5L X52 PSL-2-W | Plate | External 3PE / Internal FBE |
| Reduced Tee with Complete Reinforcement Pad | 72″ × 48″ | 19.05 mm / 15.88 mm | API 5L X52 PSL-2-W | Plate | External 3PE / Internal FBE |
The use of reinforcement pads is particularly relevant to these large branch connections. Instead of treating the tee as a simple change in flow direction, the branch area is manufactured with additional reinforcement according to the project design.
API 5L X52 PSL-2 Material Analysis
The material test record supplied for this project includes chemical composition analysis. The reported values are listed below.
| C | Mn | S | P | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | Cu | V | Ti | Nb | B | CEpcm |
| 0.068 | 1.32 | 0.0023 | 0.013 | 0.212 | 0.232 | 0.131 | 0.007 | 0.014 | 0.002 | 0.011 | 0.027 | 0.0004 | 0.16 |
| 0.070 | 1.38 | 0.004 | 0.014 | 0.200 | 0.030 | 0.010 | 0.010 | 0.020 | 0.002 | 0.020 | 0.020 | 0.0005 | 0.16 |
| 0.074 | 1.35 | 0.0019 | 0.015 | 0.209 | 0.234 | 0.131 | 0.008 | 0.014 | 0.002 | 0.015 | 0.029 | 0.0004 | 0.17 |
| 0.070 | 1.34 | 0.004 | 0.011 | 0.200 | 0.030 | 0.020 | 0.003 | 0.010 | 0.002 | 0.020 | 0.020 | 0.0003 | 0.14 |
| 0.072 | 1.33 | 0.0016 | 0.013 | 0.256 | 0.230 | 0.141 | 0.007 | 0.014 | 0.002 | 0.012 | 0.029 | 0.0004 | 0.16 |
| 0.070 | 1.37 | 0.004 | 0.013 | 0.200 | 0.030 | 0.020 | 0.010 | 0.020 | 0.002 | 0.020 | 0.020 | 0.0004 | 0.16 |
The material specification limits shown in the inspection record include C ≤0.24, Mn ≤1.40, S ≤0.015, P ≤0.025, Si ≤0.45, Cr ≤0.30, Ni ≤0.30, Mo ≤0.15, Cu ≤0.50, V ≤0.10, Ti ≤0.04, Nb ≤0.05, B ≤0.001 and CEpcm ≤0.25.
Mechanical Test Results
The supplied material records also include mechanical testing under ASTM A370.
| Test | Y.S. Rp0.2 (MPa) | T.S. BM (MPa) | T.S. Transverse WM (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HBW) |
| Test 1 | 443 / 467 | 531 / 570 | — / 575 | 43 / 28 | 160/155/158 / 198/201/207 |
| Test 2 | 458 / 460 | 563 / 565 | — / 568 | 41 / 32 | 165/162/162 / 196/196/197 |
| Test 3 | 464 / 458 | 525 / 560 | — / 562 | 39 / 28 | 165/164/167 / 212/216/211 |
The test record shows reference ranges of 360–530 MPa yield strength, 460–760 MPa tensile strength and ≥20% elongation.
3PE and FBE Protection for Large Pipeline Fittings
The finished fittings are specified with 3PE external coating and FBE internal lining.
External 3PE protection is applied to the outside surface, while FBE provides an internal protective layer. For large-diameter pipeline components, coating quality is important because the fitting may be exposed to different service environments on its internal and external surfaces.
The coating arrangement supplied for this project is:
- External: 3PE
- Internal: FBE
- Product size: up to 80 inches
- Material: API 5L X52 PSL-2-W
- Raw material: Plate
Quality Documentation
Haihao Group holds ABS, API, ISO, BV, CE and EAC certifications. For this project, material analysis and mechanical testing provide additional technical documentation for the supplied fittings.
The combination of large-diameter fabrication, reinforced branch design and dual-surface coating makes this project a useful example of Haihao Group’s capability in supplying customized API 5L X52 fittings for major pipeline applications.
If you are sourcing large-diameter tees or other pipeline fittings, contact Haihao Group with your required size, material, wall thickness, reinforcement design and coating specification.