Drop-Weight Tear Tests on Line Pipe

API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 5L3 FOURTH EDITION, AUGUST 2014

ADDENDUM 1, OCTOBER 2020

REAFFIRMED OCTOBER 2020

ERRATA 1, MARCH 2021

Special Notes

API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to particular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API's employees, subcontractors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publication may conflict.

API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engineering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such products do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

Users of this Recommended Practice should not rely exclusively on the information contained in this document. Sound business, scientific, engineering, and safety judgment should be used in employing the information contained herein.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher, API Publishing Services, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Copyright © 2014 American Petroleum Institute

Foreword

This standard is under the jurisdiction of the API Subcommittee on Standardization of Tubular Goods and includes changes approved by letter ballot in 2013.

The need for a determination of the fracture toughness of line pipe was considered in 1964 and at the midyear meeting in 1965. Certain ground rules were submitted at the 1965 meeting for the development of a specification on fracture toughness.

As a result of the information obtained through the research efforts of the American Gas Association, methods for conducting drop-weight tear tests for line pipe were developed. The methods of conducting this test and evaluating the results are described in this recommended practice.

The verbal forms used to express the provisions in this recommended practice are as follows:

• the term “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order to conform to the recommended practice;

  
  

• the term “should” denotes a recommendation or that which is advised but not required in order to conform to the recommended practice;

  
  

• the term “may” is used to express permission or a provision that is optional;

  
  

• the term “can” is used to express possibility or capability.

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by implication or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API standard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards Department, API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001, standards@api.org.

iii

Contents

Page

1. Scope 1

2. Normative References 1

3. Abbreviations 1

4. General Information 1

   1. Apparatus 1

   2. Metric Units 1

5. Specimens 2

   1. Orientation 2

   2. Notch Geometry 3

   3. Dimensions3

6. Specimen Testing 3

7. Specimen Evaluation 4

8. Report 7

Annex A (normative) Metric Conversion Factors 8

Annex B (normative) Measurement of Shear Area 9

Figures

1. Drop-Weight Tear Test Specimen and Support Dimensions 2

2. Drop-Weight Tear Test Chevron Notch Details 4

3. Shear Area Rating of Separations in Controlled-rolled Steel Fracture Surfaces 5

4. Fracture Surface Included in Shear Area Determination 6

5. Alternate Shear-cleavage Fracture Appearance 6

1. Representative DWTT Fracture Surfaces 10

2. Chart for Determining Percent Shear for 0.312 in. (7.9 mm) Material 11

3. Chart for Determining Percent Shear for 0.344 in. (8.7 mm) Material 11

Tables

1. Test Temperature Reduction 3

2. Minimum Bath Time Requirements 3

v