Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe CSA Z245.1

CSA Scope

Requirements for steel pipe for transporting fluids as specified in CSA Z662, Oil and gas pipeline systems.

Product Knowledge

CSA Z245.1 is the Canadian equivalent of API 5L.

Though both specifications are intended to identify pipe production details for use in pipeline fabrication, the CSA version deals with many cold-temperature concerns (where API 5L is silent) and is a lot less political. There is no monogram license requirement for pipe Manufacturer, no composite index of approved Manufacturer, no legal requirements.

In fact, the pipeline design specification (CSA Z662) allows for use of CSA Z245.1 pipe, API 5L pipe, ASTM grade pipe, etc. provided that the material properties have been determined by a professional engineer as appropriate for that service.

CSA Z245.1 pipe is not listed for use in ASME BPVC or ASME B31.X piping systems, so it would need to be multi-certified or approved by the local pressure vessel authority prior to use in these applications.

Though CSA Z245.1 has its own tables for product dimensions, the table is vastly identical to that of ASME B36.10, especially as they refer to normal schedules of pipe (STD, XS, XXS, and numbered schedules). Therefore, Z245.1 pipe products are often multi-certified to similar ASTM and API 5L grades, where the requirements of all these specifications are met. Note that the Z245.1 spec requires that the pipe have metric dimensions stated (Canada formally adopted the metric system in the 1970s), though nominal pipe size and schedules are still very commonly used.

Though the Z245.1 grades appear foreign to many engineers, they are generally the metric equivalent (in MPa) of the API 5L grades. For example, Grade 290 is approximately the same as X42, Grade 359 is approximately the same as X52.

One significant point of difference between API 5L and CSA Z245.1 is regarding impact testing. API 5L has PSL1 (no impact requirements) and PSL2 (impact energy requirements). Similarly, CSA Z245.1 has Category 1 (no impact requirements), Category 3 (impact energy requirements) and Category 2 (impact energy and % shear requirements) – see below for more details. This is often confusing for purchasers and pipe factories, as the numbers appear mixed up. Also, where API 5L stipulates the impact test temperature for PSL2 at 32F (0C), Z245.1 test temperature is as per the purchase order (commonly -5C for buried piping, -29C for ASME applications, -45C for low temp applications).

CSA also stipulates drop weight tear testing for Cat 2 impact testing of diameters of NPS 18 and above (with only % shear requirements), though the DWTT are often waived in favour of CVN impact tests, so long as the % shear requirements are met.

Size Range

2" to 36"

Basic Product Properties