X80 line pipe for large-diameter high strength pipelines

By H.-G. HILLENBRAND1, C. J. HECKMANN2 and K. A. NIEDERHOFF2

1
2

EUROPIPE GmbH, Ratingen, Germany

Mannesmann Forschungsinstitut, Duisburg, Germany

Abstract
This paper gives an overview on manufacturing and field welding of high-strength
steel grade X80 line pipe. Aspects of the production of induction bends are also
discussed. Large projects have already been implemented with satisfactory results.
Manual combined-electrode welding and mechanised gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
as field welding methods for pipeline construction are well-established. This is also
true for welding consumables, which have been well-tuned to match the pipe material
in strength. The pipe material X80 is suitable for unrestricted use in onshore
applications.

1. Historical Review
The ever increasing demand for energy world wide requires the construction of highpressure gas transmission lines with the greatest possible transport efficiency, so that
the cost of pipeline construction and gas transportation is minimised. This is
particularly true when large distances are to be covered. The trend is therefore
towards using line pipe of larger diameter and/or increasing the operation pressure of
the pipeline. This, in turn, necessitates the use of higher strength steel grades to
avoid large wall thickness that would be otherwise needed.
Also, in some long distance lines, where an increase of the capacity is not required, a
reduction of wall thickness (no change of diameter and pressure) can be an economic
incentive for applying X80 pipe. This is going to be more and more implemented in
Australia using HFI (ERW) pipes and in Canada using spiral pipes of grade X80 (hot
strip material from Steckel mill).
The development started about 30 years ago along with the introduction of
thermomechanical (TM) rolling practices, and will continue in future. It was mainly
governed by the large-diameter pipe manufactures [1-5], due to the fact that TMtreatment (with or without accelerated cooling) can optimally be applied for plate only.
Therefore, the availability of high strength hot strip material for manufacturing spiral
and ERW pipes seems to be limited to grade X80. It is also limited with respect to the
available maximum wall thickness (Fig. 1).
Today it is possible to produce grade X100 (TM) line pipe from plate and lay it under
field conditions, maintaining all safety-related criteria [6-7].
In the early 70s, grade StE 480.7 TM (X70) was introduced for the first time in Germany for the use as line pipe in construction of gas transmission pipelines. Since
then, grade X70 material has proven a very reliable material in the implementation of
numerous pipeline projects. The material has been optimised in the course of further
1

development of TM rolling, and can be welded trouble-free with cellulosic electrodes

providing care is taken to avoid hydrogen induced cold cracking.
Following satisfactory experience gained with StE 480.7 TM and X70 in the subsequent period, grade X80 (GRS 550) line pipe came into use for the first time as a
3.2 km pipeline section in 1985 on a trial basis (Fig. 2). Subsequently, the material
was used in the construction of several additional trial sections. In 1992/93, Ruhrgas
AG constructed the world's first ever pipeline of 250 km length in this material, again
in Germany [5, 8]. The reason why Ruhrgas AG selected this material was the
reduction in pipe wall thickness needed in the construction of the pipeline designed to
operate at 100 bar pressure.
The yield strength values specified in various standards (DIN 17172, API 5L, EN
10208-2/ISO 3183-2) for the different high strength line pipe steels differ only slightly
(Fig. 3) between 550 MPa (DIN 17172) and 555 MPa (EN 10208-2). To ensure that
pipes are not supplied with excessive yield strength in individual cases, the current
versions of API-5L, EN 10208-2/ISO 3183-2 specify an allowable scatter range of
120 MPa for yield strength. The yield strength measured on the transverse tensile
specimens is required to lie in this range. The intention of specifying an upper limit for
the yield strength was to enable the weld metal strength to be better matched to the
pipe material. The specified yield strength range of 120 MPa applies to all line pipe
grades that are included in these standards.
Significant differences are noticeable in the specified minimum tensile strength
among the different standards. For instance, the minimum required tensile strength of
GRS 550 (StE 550.7 TM to DIN 17172) is 70 MPa higher than that of API 5L grade
X80. Therefore, this material was quite close adapted to a thought API 5L grade X90.

2. Development and Production Results of X80

2.1 Large EUROPIPE projects
The first large scale X80 line pipe was ordered by the German Ruhrgas running from
Werne-to-Schlchtern. This pipeline passes through the states of North RhineWestphalia and Hessen in Germany. The geometry of the pipe to be used was 48"
O.D. x 18.4 and 19.3 mm wt. EUROPIPE supplied 145,000 t of pipe in the years 1992
and 1993 for this project. Furthermore, line pipe bends (QT-treated) were produced
for the first time in this material grade by the Mannesmannrhren-Werke.
In 2001 and 2002 further X 80 pipes were manufactured for a project in UK. Several
parts of the gas pipeline network were ordered to a total length of 42 km in the past.
Further quantities being about 70 km are also booked for this and next year.
A challenging project of 2001 was a hot steam pipe line system for CNRL in Canada
[9]. The longitudinally welded pipes were qualified for operation temperatures up to
354 C. The high temperature properties with respect to creep were tested, and the
results indicated sufficient creep resistance.

2.2 Steel making

The basic work towards the development of the high strength grade X80 and GRS
550 materials was already completed by us in 1985. On the basis of extensive
2

laboratory investigations and mill trials, a MnNbTi steel was found to fulfil the
necessary requirements. The strengthening mechanisms in this steel type have been
described elsewhere [3]. The base composition of the steel used consisted of 0.09 %
Carbon, 1.9 % Manganese, 0.04 % Niobium and 0.02 % Titanium. Additions of
Copper, Nickel or Molybdenum were not necessary in the case of pipe wall thickness
up to 25 mm. Alloying with Boron was not permitted.
Because of the higher specified minimum tensile strength of 690 MPa, the carbon
content and carbon equivalent are slightly higher in the case of GRS 550 than in the
case of X80 for a given wall thickness. Nevertheless, a carbon equivalent according
to IIW formula of less than 0.44 % could be assured. A Ti/N ratio of greater than 3.5 is
necessary for the MnNbTi alloying system to be effective. The Titanium content of the
steel must be less than 0.025 % so that there is no detriment to the toughness in the
HAZ of the longitudinal weld seam. As a consequence, the Nitrogen content during
steel making was only allowed to vary up to a maximum of 50 ppm. Therefore, an
adequate vacuum treatment of the melts is necessary. Fig. 4 shows the Titanium and
Nitrogen contents found in the ladle analyses of the casts for the Ruhrgas order.

2.3 Plate Production

The effect of rolling and cooling parameters on the mechanical properties of MnNbTi
steels has been described in detail in previous publications [1-5]. As an example the
18.3 mm thick GRS 550 plates for the Ruhrgas order were rolled under the following
conditions, which were maintained within narrow limits:

Slab reheating temperature 1168 C 10 C

Intermediate thickness 100 mm
Finish rolling temperature 772 C 8 C
Cooling start temperature 760 C 10 C
Cooling stop temperature 560 C 11 C
Cooling rate 15 C/s

Accelerated cooling of the plate from finish rolling temperature has a remarkable
effect on the microstructure and hence, on the mechanical properties of the steel. To
obtain an almost fully bainitic microstructure, it is necessary that the accelerated
cooling should be started before the transformation of austenite into ferrite begins.
Fig. 5 shows typical temperature profiles along the length of the plate before and after
accelerated cooling. The two curves shown in each case represent the temperature
profiles for the top and the bottom sides of the plate.
Numerous additional investigations carried out in the plate mill have shown that the
variation in strength could be controlled in a narrow range of only 10 MPa along the
plate width and only 20 MPa along the plate length within each plate. These results
document that the rolling and accelerated cooling techniques are fully matured,
which, coupled with the steel composition selected, ensure that the material readily
complies with the strength and toughness requirements specified.

2.4. Pipe Production

The parameters for the pipe manufacture of the Ruhrgas order were selected,
drawing upon the experience gained in the course of the production of the pipe for the
previous trial sections (Megal II, CSFR) [4]. The results of testing carried out at that
time for single-case approval by the German technical regulator, TUEV, which
3

became necessary because the material grade was not standardised, could be
applied to the present case since there was no decisive difference in pipe geometry
and since the chemical compositions were almost identical. The yield and tensile
strength values measured for the pipe in circumferential direction are shown in Fig. 6.
As seen in the figure the specified minimum values were comfortably achieved. The
strength values were determined using round bar tensile specimens, since the strain
hardening behaviour of the bainitic material leads to a large Bauschinger effect. The
higher the strength level, the greater the Bauschinger effect. In other words, the proof
stress values measured on flattened rectangular specimens taken from the pipe do
not correlate well with the true proof stress values of the pipe wall. It should also be
noted that the yield strength of high strength pipeline material shows an unisotropic
behaviour. Using round bar specimens, the yield strength of an X80 material is about
30-40 MPa higher in circumferential direction than in longitudinal direction. Therefore
it is easier to realise girth weld overmatching requirements. The tensile strengths in
both directions are comparable.
The impact energy values measured on the base material were in excess of 95 J,
thereby exceeding the minimum value recommended by the EPRG for crack arrest.
The ductile-to-brittle transition temperatures measured on the individual DWTT
specimens were well below the specified test temperature of 0 C.
Fig. 7 shows the chemical composition of the longitudinal seam weld metal deposited
by the two-pass SAW method. Also shown in the figure are the impact energy values
measured at 0 C, which is the commonly specified test temperature in Germany. The
weld metal has a high Manganese content and is additionally alloyed with
Molybdenum. This Ti-B-free weld metal represents a good compromise with respect
to toughness and mechanical strength. The average impact energy values measured
varied between 100 and 200 J.
The strength of the seam weld was checked by means of flattened transverse weld
specimens, with the weld reinforcement removed by machining. All specimens broke
in the base material, i. e. outside the weld region. Thus, all the tensile strength values
measured reflect the strength of the base material and were above the specified
minimum value of 690 MPa.
One of the latest projects using X80 was a UK pipeline for Transco in 2001 [10]. The
results on EUROPIPEs production tests, performed in the context of certification of
the pipe, are shown in Fig. 8 and 9. All values of the round bar tensile tests and
impact tests conform to the requirements of X80. The standard deviations of tensile
testing are 15 MPa for yield strength and 13 MPa for tensile strength. Average values
of impact testing were 227 J for base metal and 134 J for weld metal.
To give an example of the manufacturability of heavy wall X80 pipe, EUROPIPE
commercially produced 36 diameter pipe with 32.0 mm wall thickness. The
manganese-niobium-titanium steel used here has a sufficiently high ratio of titanium
to nitrogen and is additionally alloyed with molybdenum. The low carbon equivalent
(CEIIW = 0.42) ensures good field weldability. The Charpy V-notch impact energy
measured at -40C was in excess of 200 J and the shear area of DWTT specimens
tested at 20C was greater than 85%. The forming and welding operations carried
out on this high strength steel did not cause any problems.

2.5. Production of Induction Bends

The induction bending machine at Mlheim works of Mannesmannrhren-Werke AG
is designed so as to enable bends to be produced from pipes with outside diameters
up to 64". In the course of the execution of the Ruhrgas order 600 large diameter pipe
4

bends of various angles were produced from GRS 550 QT pipe for the first time in
1992 and 1993. The double submerged-arc welded line pipe being used for the
production of the bends was 1220 mm OD and 22 mm in wall thickness. The bending
radius was 6,000 mm (corresponding to approx. 4.9 times the pipe diameter) for all
bends. The bends contained no straight pipe portions at the ends.
The induction bending operation has been carried out on a computer-aided bending
machine specially designed for this purpose. Heating is done by means of a ringshaped inductor. The pipe next to the heated zone, which is subjected to bending, is
quenched with water by means of a ring nozzle. The heat condition of the heated
zone being inductive bent corresponds to that of full austenitization heat treatment.
Following bending operation, the bends were tempered full length in a furnace at 620
C 10 C.
Thus, the finished bends were delivered in the quenched and tempered condition. For
this reason, the base material for bends exhibits an increased alloy content compared
to the straight line pipe. The bends contain Molybdenum additions and a slightly
increased carbon content.
Fig. 10 shows the average chemical composition of the bend body material. This
figure also includes the mechanical properties measured in the course of the production of the bends and the specified requirements. It is clear from the data in the figure
that the measured values were comfortably above the specified minimum values. The
IIW carbon equivalent of the chemical composition of the bends was 0.46 % in
average and thus good field weldability of the bends was ensured.
The weld metal of the longitudinal seam was alloyed with Nickel and Molybdenum.
The submerged-arc welds were performed using high-basic flux. In the quenched and
tempered condition, the requirements for the weld metal toughness were readily
fulfilled (Fig. 10). Also the strength of the weld was quite satisfactory.
Finally, it should be mentioned here that X80 bends made from ERW or spiral pipe
have not been produced so far. In any case the material should be able to be
quenched and tempered, therefore the material will differ from straight pipe. For thin
wall X80 line pipe also X70 induction bends with thicker wall can be used.

3. Weldability
Before GRS 550 (StE 550.7 TM to DIN 17172) was first used on an industrial scale in
1985, the cold cracking behaviour of the material had been studied extensively by
means of laboratory and full-scale tests [4]. Fig. 11 shows the minimum preheating
temperature for avoiding heat affected zone (HAZ) hydrogen cracking determined for
different steel compositions of pipeline steels in the implant test on welds deposited
with cellulosic vertical-down electrodes. It is evident from this figure that a preheating
temperature of only 100 C is necessary to deposit welds in GRS 550 (X80) without
any risk of cold cracking in the HAZ. Unlike the conditions for the implant test, girth
welds on large diameter pipe deposited during actual pipe laying are not allowed to
undergo interruptions with cooling to room temperature after only the root pass has
been deposited. It would therefore be possible to use lower preheating temperatures
than those determined in the implant test (Fig. 12). Even the most critical weld, No. 2
in Fig. 12, which was deposited completely without interruption using cellulosic
electrodes at a preheating and interpass temperature that was deliberately
maintained at a low value of only 50 to 60 C, was free of cold cracking. Hence, there
5

is no increased threat of cold cracking in the HAZ compared to X70 line pipe material.
This has been also demonstrated by the practical experience gained with the
Ruhrgas pipeline construction.
The high-strength basic girth weld metal (AWS electrode E10018-G) itself, however,
has been found to be somewhat more sensitive to cold cracking than the girth weld
HAZ of X80 material. Therefore, it is recommended to control that the preheating and
interpass temperatures are maintained at about 80 to 100 C minimum. If this
requirement is fulfilled and if it is ensured that the basic electrodes are kept dry, there
will be no threat of cold cracking in the weld metal as well as in the HAZ of base
material.
As the diffusible hydrogen content (HD) in deposited weld metal of mechanised gas
metal arc welding lies below 3 ml/100 g, a preheating temperature of 80 C (freedom
from condensed water) is quite sufficient. Extended interruptions associated with intermittent cooling should however be avoided also in the case of gas metal arc
welding.

4. Field welding methods

4.1. Manual vertical down welding
Considerable changes had to be made to the manual welding method required in the
construction of large-diameter pipelines in high strength materials as X80, GRS 550
and higher for the following reasons. The material StE 550.7 TM to DIN 17172 (GRS
550) has the same yield strength (550 MPa) as grade X80 to API 5 L, but a specified
minimum tensile strength which is 70 MPa higher than that of grade X80. The
material could therefore be considered as grade X90 from the point of view of tensile
strength. Because of this high tensile strength, it was not possible for the weld metal
deposited by the cellulosic electrode to fulfil the requirement for the specified
minimum tensile strength and to have simultaneously satisfactory toughness and
satisfactory resistance to cold cracking. This problem was solved by the use of a
combined-electrode manual welding method (Fig. 13). In this method, the root pass
and the hot pass are deposited with well-established cellulosic electrodes of lower
strength grade, and filler and cap passes with a high strength basic vertical-down
electrode of the AWS type E 10018-G. It is thus possible to ensure an unchanged
high front end progress during pipelaying. This method is well-established now and
regarded as sufficiently tried for large-scale practical use [4, 8, 11].

4.2. Mechanised gas metal arc welding (narrow-gap, vertical-down)

All established mechanised gas metal arc welding methods (GMAW) developed for
use in onshore pipeline construction can be employed. Gas metal arc welding,
however, encounters certain limitations in the case of onshore pipe laying in difficult
terrain. It should be carefully considered also in the case of frequent interruptions
(roads, rivers, etc.) whether it would be more economical to apply manual welding.
Fig. 14 shows, by way of example, the welding procedure that was employed to
construct parts of the 250 km long Ruhrgas pipeline.

5. Strength behaviour of girth welds (overmatching)

As the strength of line pipe material increases, weld metals of increased strength and
sufficient toughness are required. For the reasons mentioned in earlier publications
(inadequate toughness, susceptibility to cold cracking of the weld metal), the
cellulosic electrode cannot be improved beyond the AWS type E 9010-G with the
highest strength [12-14]. Therefore, it was necessary to resort to basic vertical-down
electrodes to deposit filler and cap passes by manual welding. As well as the
extensive service experience gained, the results of recent wide plate tests, which
involved welds with artificial planar defects in the HAZ, indicated that the hightoughness weld metal deposited with the basic vertical-down electrode of the AWS
type E 10018-G is tuned to match the pipe material strength optimally. This applies
also to the welding consumables needed for making welds by mechanised gas metal
arc welding.

6. Final remarks
HFI welded pipe is limited in diameter, wall thickness and material grade (X 80
maximum). One reason is the restriction of hot rolled strip production. The use of a
better hot strip rolling process like Steckel mill enables helical seam weld X80 pipe to
be produced with a larger wall thickness of up to about 16 mm. By comparison,
longitudinal SAW seam welded X80 line pipe is available with wall thickness from
10 mm to 35 mm at outside diameters from 20 inches to 56 inches. This pipe is
particularly suitable for operation at the highest pressures. The pipes produced by the
various methods overlap in the lower part of the size range. The quality level of the
pipes can be considered to be the same. Price wise each product has its optimum
range. In overlapping sizes a specification should allow all products.
While it is not possible to produce HFI welded and helical seam welded pipes in
grades higher than X 80, longitudinal seam welded grade X 90 line pipe has been
already produced on a commercial scale. Materials meeting the requirements for
grade X 100 have already been produced. EUROPIPE is partner in some JIP to
develop X100 line pipe.
Grade X 80 pipe in most cases is more economical than X70. Consistently
predictable and reproducible mechanical properties and good field weldability can be
achieved without difficulty.
In the case of grade X 100, questions regarding its cost-effectiveness cannot be
answered in general terms yet, because other aspects such as the need for crack
arrestors etc. might arise with this material.

References
[1] W. M. Hof, M. K. Graf, H.-G. Hillenbrand, B. Hoh and P. A. Peters: New highstrength large-diameter pipe steels; Journal of Materials Engineering 9 (1987), 191
198
[2] M. K. Grf, H.-G. Hillenbrand and K. A. Niederhoff: Production and girth welding of
double submerged-arc welded grade X80 large-diameter linepipes; EPRG PRCI
Meeting, Paris, Mai 1991
[3] H.-G. Hillenbrand and P. Schwaab: Quantitative determination of the
microstructure of HSLA steels for correlation with their mechanical properties;
Materials Science and Engineering 94 (1987), 71-78
7

[4] H. Engelmann, A. Engel, P. A. Peters, C. Dren and H. Msch: First use of largediameter pipes of the steel GRS 550 TM (X80); 3R International 25 (1986), No. 4, 182
- 193
[5] M. K. Grf, H.-G. Hillenbrand and K. A. Niederhoff: Production of large diameter
line pipe and bends for the world's first long-range pipeline in grade X80 (GRS 550);
8th Symposium on Line Pipe Research, Houston (Texas), September 26 - 29,1993
[6] H.-G. Hillenbrand, E. Amoris, K. A. Niederhoff, C. Perdrix, A. Streielberger and U.
Zeislmair: Manufacturability of line pipe in grades up to X100 from TM processed
plate; Pipeline Technology Conference, Sept 1995, Ostend, Belgium
[7] H.-G. Hillenbrand, A. Liessem, G. Knauf, K. A. Niederhoff and J. Bauer:
Development of large-diameter pipe in grade X100 state-of-the-art report from the
manufacturers point of view; Pipeline Technology Conference, May 2000, Brugge,
Belgium
[8] V. Chaudhari, H. P. Ritzmann, G. Wellnitz, H.-G. Hillenbrand and V. Willings:
German gas pipeline first to use new generation line pipe; Oil & Gas Journal, January
1995
[9] M. D. Bishop, O. Reepmeyer, H.-G. Hillenbrand, J. Schrder and A. Liessem:
Longitudinal welded X80 pipes for a high temperature, high pressure steam pipe line;
3R international 41 (2002) No. 2, 113-117
[10] C. Kalwa, H.-G. Hillenbrand, M. K. Grf: High strength steel pipes: New
developments and applications; Onshore Pipeline Conference, June 2002, Houston,
USA
[11] H.-G. Hillenbrand, K. A. Niederhoff, G. Hauck, E. Perteneder, G. Wellnitz:
Procedure, considerations for welding X80 line pipe established; Oil & Gas Journal,
Sept 15, 1997
[12] E. Perteneder, H. Knigshofer and J. Mlekusch: Characteristic Profiles of
Modern Filler Metals for On-Site Pipeline Welding; Pipeline Technology Conference,
Sept 1995, Ostend, Belgium
[13] M. K. Grf and K. A. Niederhoff: Overmatching Criterion and Manual Welding of
Linepipe in Grade X70; Pipeline Technology Conference, Sept 1995, Ostend,
Belgium
[14] M. K. Grf and K. A. Niederhoff: The influence of girth weld mis-matching on the
behaviour of pipelines in high strength steels up to grade X100; Conference MisMatch 96, April 1996, Reinsdorf-Lneburg, Germany

Figures

Diameter

Wall thickness

Longitudinally welded large-diameter pipe

20 to 64 (56)

ca. 10-35 mm

Spirally welded large-diameter pipe

20 to 64

ca. 6-16 mm *)

HFI (ERW) welded pipe

24

ca. 10 mm

Process

*) Hot strip material from Steckel mills

Figure 1: Limitation of Dimensions to be manufactured in grade X80 on
different production routes

Project

Dimension

Quantity

Realization

MEGAL II, Germany

1118 x 13.6 mm

3.2 km

1985

1420 x 15.5 mm

1.5 km

1985

42 x 10.6 mm

126 welds

1990

Werne-Schlchtern Pipeline,

48 x 18.4 and

250 km; 145.000 to 1992/1993

Ruhrgas, Germany

19.3 mm

NOVA Pipeline; Matzhiwn

Spiral pipe, 48 x

project, Alberta, Canada

12.1 mm

Trans Canada Pipeline

Spiral pipe, 48 x

th

4 Transit Gas Pipeline,

Czechoslovakia
Empress Eats Compressor
Station Alberta; Canada

ca. 54 km

1994

ca. 118 km

1997

12.0mm & 16.0mm

Transco/UK

48 x 15.1 mm and 42 km

2001

21.8 mm
Canadian Natural Resources,

24 x 25.4mm

Canada

18 km; hot steam

2001

onshore pipeline

Figure 2: Reference list of X80 onshore projects in large-diameter pipe world-wide

Figure 3: Specified strength for high strength line pipe steel grades

Figure 4: Distribution of Titanium and Nitrogen contents of the base material

of the pipes produced (Ladle analyses)

Figure 5: Temperature profiles measured before and after accelerated cooling

10

Figure 6: Distribution of transverse yield strength (Rt0.5) and tensile strength

(round bar specimens to DIN 50125)

Figure 7: Mean chemical composition and distribution of impact energy values

measured on ISO V-notch specimens for the SAW longitudinal seam weld
metal

11

Base Material - Tensile Test

Frequency (%)
35
30
25
20

Yield
Strength

Tensile
Strength

n = 164

15
10
5
0

560

600

650
700
Yield/Tensile Strength (MPa)

Frequency (%)

750

Frequency (%)
25

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0

20
15
10
5
0

0.76

0.80

0.84
Y/T ratio

0.88 0.92

28

30
32
34
2 Elongation (%)

36

Figure 8: Strength properties of X80 Pipes (48 OD x 15.1 mm WT);

Transco pipeline

Base Material
Test Temperature 0C

Weld Material
Test Temperature 0C

Frequency (%)

Frequency (%)

50

50

45

n =70

40

45

35

35

30

30

25

25

20

20

15

15

10

10

100
200
300
Impact Energy (J)

n = 70

40

100
200
300
Impact Energy (J)

Figure 9: Impact properties of X80 Pipes (48 OD x 15.1 mm WT);

Transco pipeline

12

Figure 10: Chemical composition and mechanical properties of the GRS 550
QT (Grade X80) line pipe bends

Figure 11: Preheating temperature for crack resistance as a function of the

C-equivalent - Welding with cellulose coated electrodes

13

Figure 12: Comparison between the preheating temperatures required in the

laboratory and those required in the field for ensuring crack-free welds in X80
steel

Figure 13: Manual downhill welding procedure for high-strength line pipe steel

14

Figure 14: Typical girth welding procedure for mechanized gas metal arc
welding of X80 line pipe (CRC-Procedure)

15