SIST EN ISO 15546:2011

Petroleum and natural gas industries - Aluminium alloy drill pipe (ISO 15546:2011)

ISO 15546:2011 specifies the technical delivery conditions, manufacturing process, material requirements, configuration and dimensions, and verification and inspection procedures for aluminium alloy drill pipes with or without attached steel tool joints, for use in drilling and production operations in the petroleum and natural gas industries.
A typical drill pipe configuration is provided, showing main elements and lengths. The main dimensions and masses of the grades of drill pipe are given in both SI units and USC units.
ISO 15546:2011 does not consider performance properties.

Erdöl- und Erdgasindustrie - Bohrrohre aus Aluminiumlegierungen (ISO 15546:2011)

Industries du pétrole et du gaz naturel - Tige de forage en alliage d'aluminium (ISO 15546:2011)

L'ISO 15546:2011 spécifie les conditions techniques de livraison, le procédé de fabrication, les exigences relatives aux matériaux, la configuration et les dimensions, les modes opératoires de vérification et d'inspection pour les tiges de forage en alliage d'aluminium, avec ou sans raccords vissés en acier, convenant à l'emploi dans les opérations de forage et de production dans les industries du pétrole et du gaz naturel.
Les principaux éléments et les longueurs d'une configuration de tige de forage usuelle sont fournis. Les principales dimensions et les masses des gammes de tiges de forage sont indiquées en unités SI et USC.
L'ISO 15546:2011 ne couvre pas les propriétés de performance.

Industrija za predelavo nafte in zemeljskega plina - Vrtalne cevi iz aluminijevih zlitin (ISO 15546:2011)

Ta mednarodni standard določa tehnične dobavne zahteve, proizvodni postopek, materialne zahteve, konfiguracijo in dimenzije ter preverjanje in inšpekcijske postopke za vrtalne cevi iz aluminijeve zlitine z nameščenimi jeklenimi spoji ali brez njih, za uporabo pri vrtanju in proizvodnji v industriji za predelavo nafte in zemeljskega plina. Podana je tipična konfiguracija vrtalne cevi, ki prikazuje glavne elemente in dolžine (glej slike 1-4). Glavne dimenzije in mase razredov vrtalnih cevi so podane v enotah SI in enotah USC (glej dodatek A).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 04-Jul-2010
• Publication Date: 13-Oct-2011
• ICS: 75.180.10 - Exploratory, drilling and extraction equipment
• ICS: 77.150.10 - Aluminium products
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 30-Sep-2011
• Due Date: 05-Dec-2011
• Completion Date: 14-Oct-2011
• Ref Project: EN ISO 15546:2011 - Petroleum and natural gas industries - Aluminium alloy drill pipe (ISO 15546:2011)

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN ISO 15546:2007 - Petroleum and natural gas industries - Aluminium alloy drill pipe (ISO 15546:2007)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011

Overview

EN ISO 15546:2011 - titled Petroleum and natural gas industries - Aluminium alloy drill pipe (ISO 15546:2011) - is a harmonized European adoption of the ISO standard that defines requirements for aluminium alloy drill pipe used in drilling and production operations. The standard specifies technical delivery conditions, manufacturing process, material requirements, configuration and dimensions, and verification and inspection procedures for aluminium alloy drill pipe with or without attached steel tool joints. It provides typical pipe configurations and gives main dimensions and masses in both SI and USC units. Note: this standard does not cover drill pipe performance properties.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and conformance: Applicable to aluminium alloy drill pipe for petroleum and natural gas industries; aligned with ISO/TC 67 and CEN/TC 12.
• Ordering information: Specifies the minimum information purchasers must supply (basic and optional).
• Manufacturing and delivery: Covers heat treatment, traceability and delivery condition requirements.
• Material requirements: Defines material groups, metallographic examination and chemical composition limits.
• Tool joints: Requirements for aluminium pipe bodies with or without attached steel tool joints; references thread details to other standards.
• Configuration & dimensions: Typical drill pipe geometry, lengths, main dimensions and design mass; tolerances for straightness, ovality, eccentricity, drift and tool-joint alignment.
• Testing & inspection:
  • Test methods: chemical, mechanical, hydrostatic and corrosion tests.
  • Non-destructive inspection levels, tool-joint NDT and calibration requirements for measuring equipment.
• Marking, packaging & documentation: Mandatory marking, traceability marking, certificate of compliance, record retention and delivery conditions.
• Annexes: Include USC unit tables, purchaser inspection, fatigue test procedure, corrosion test and unit conversion guidance.

Applications and users

This standard is essential for:

• Drill pipe manufacturers producing aluminium alloy drill pipe or assemblies with steel tool joints.
• Procurement and QA teams in oil & gas operators and service companies specifying or buying drill pipe.
• Inspection and testing laboratories performing acceptance tests and NDT.
• Design and drilling engineers requiring standardized dimensional and material data for rig design and compatibility checks.
• Regulatory and certification bodies ensuring supplied pipe meets contractual delivery and traceability requirements.

Related standards

• ISO 10424‑2 - referenced for threading of drill pipe tool joints.
• ISO 27627 - referenced for pipe body–tool joint thread connections.
• ISO 20312 - for drill pipe performance properties (not covered by ISO 15546).

Keywords: EN ISO 15546:2011, aluminium alloy drill pipe, drill pipe specifications, petroleum and natural gas, manufacturing requirements, inspection and testing, material requirements.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2011
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN ISO 15546:2007
Industrija za predelavo nafte in zemeljskega plina - Vrtalne cevi iz aluminijevih
zlitin (ISO 15546:2011)
Petroleum and natural gas industries - Aluminium alloy drill pipe (ISO 15546:2011)
Erdöl- und Erdgasindustrie - Bohrrohre aus Aluminiumlegierungen (ISO 15546:2011)
Industries du pétrole et du gaz naturel - Tige de forage en alliage d'aluminium (ISO
15546:2011)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 15546:2011
ICS:
75.180.10 Oprema za raziskovanje in Exploratory and extraction
odkopavanje equipment
77.150.10 Aluminijski izdelki Aluminium products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 15546
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2011
ICS 75.180.10; 77.150.10 Supersedes EN ISO 15546:2007
English Version
Petroleum and natural gas industries - Aluminium alloy drill pipe
(ISO 15546:2011)
Industries du pétrole et du gaz naturel - Tige de forage en Erdöl- und Erdgasindustrie - Bohrrohre aus
alliage d'aluminium (ISO 15546:2011) Aluminiumlegierungen (ISO 15546:2011)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 14 September 2011.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2011 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 15546:2011: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword .3

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 15546:2011) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 67 "Materials,
equipment and offshore structures for petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries" in collaboration
with Technical Committee CEN/TC 12 “Materials, equipment and offshore structures for petroleum,
petrochemical and natural gas industries” the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2012, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by March 2012.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 15546:2007.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 15546:2011 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 15546:2011 without any modification.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15546
Third edition
2011-09-15
Petroleum and natural gas industries —
Aluminium alloy drill pipe
Industries du pétrole et du gaz naturel — Tige de forage en alliage
d'aluminium
Reference number
ISO 15546:2011(E)
©
ISO 2011
ISO 15546:2011(E)
©  ISO 2011
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56  CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail [e-mail]
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
Contents Page
Foreword . v
Introduction . vi
1  Scope . 1
2  Conformance . 1
3  Normative references . 2
4  Terms, definitions and symbols . 2
4.1  Terms and definitions . 2
4.2  Symbols . 4
5  Information to be supplied when placing orders for drill pipe . 5
5.1  Basic information . 5
5.2  Optional information . 6
6  Process of manufacturing and delivery condition . 6
6.1  General . 6
6.2  Heat treatment . 6
6.3  Traceability . 7
6.4  Delivery condition . 7
7  Material requirements . 7
7.1  Material groups . 7
7.2  Metallographic examination . 8
7.3  Chemical composition . 8
7.4  Steel tool joints . 8
8  Configuration and dimensions of pipes . 8
8.1  Configuration . 8
8.2  Length . 8
8.3  Dimensions of pipes and tool joints . 8
8.4  Design mass . 9
8.5  Upset run-out . 21
8.6  Straightness . 21
8.7  Ovality and eccentricity of pipes . 21
8.8  Drift requirements . 22
8.9  Tool joint alignment . 22
8.10  Internal coating . 23
8.11  Aluminium alloy drill pipe body-tool joint assembly . 23
9  Test methods . 23
9.1  General . 23
9.2  Chemical composition test . 23
9.3  Mechanical test . 23
9.4  Hydrostatic test . 24
9.5  Corrosion test . 24
10  Measuring methods . 25
10.1  General . 25
10.2  Calibration and verification of measuring equipment . 26
11  Inspection . 26
11.1  General . 26
11.2  Levels of non-destructive inspection . 26
11.3  Tool joint non-destructive inspection . 26
ISO 15546:2011(E)
12  Marking .26
12.1  General .26
12.2  Sequence of marking .27
12.3  Marking on the drill pipe body .27
12.4  Tool joint marking .27
12.5  Drill pipe traceability marking .28
12.6  Paint stencilling .28
13  Packaging, transport and storage .28
14  Documents .28
14.1  Certificate of compliance .28
14.2  Retention of records .28
15  Delivery conditions .29
Annex A (normative) Tables and figures in USC units .30
Annex B (normative) Purchaser inspection .38
Annex C (normative) Supplementary requirement — Fatigue test procedure and analysis of
fatigue data .39
Annex D (normative) Corrosion test .42
Annex E (informative) Conversion of SI units to USC units .43
Bibliography .45

iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 15546 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 67, Materials, equipment and offshore structures
for petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 15546:2007), which has been technically
revised.
ISO 15546:2011(E)
Introduction
Users of this International Standard need to be aware that further or differing requirements could be needed
for individual applications. This International Standard is not intended to inhibit a manufacturer from offering,
or the purchaser from accepting, alternative equipment or engineering solutions for the individual application,
this being particularly applicable where there is innovative or developing technology. Where an alternative is
offered, the manufacturer will need to identify any variations from this International Standard and provide
details.
This International Standard includes requirements of various nature. These are identified by the use of certain
verbal forms:
 “shall” is used to indicate that a provision is mandatory;
 “should” is used to indicate that a provision is not mandatory, but recommended as good practice;
 “may” is used to indicate that a provision is optional.

vi © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15546:2011(E)

Petroleum and natural gas industries — Aluminium alloy drill
pipe
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the technical delivery conditions, manufacturing process, material
requirements, configuration and dimensions, and verification and inspection procedures for aluminium alloy
drill pipes with or without attached steel tool joints, for use in drilling and production operations in the
petroleum and natural gas industries.
A typical drill pipe configuration is provided, showing main elements and lengths (see Figures 1 to 4). The
main dimensions and masses of the grades of drill pipe are given in both SI units and USC units
(see Annex A).
This International Standard does not consider performance properties.
NOTE 1 Reference can be made to ISO 10424-2 and ISO 27627 for the detailed requirements for the threading of drill
pipe tool joints.
NOTE 2 Reference can be made to ISO 20312 for the performance properties of the drill pipe.
NOTE 3 Reference can be made to ISO 27627 for the “pipe body-tool joint” thread connection gauging.
2 Conformance
In this International Standard, data are expressed in both the International System (SI) of units and the United
States Customary (USC) system of units.
Tables for data expressed in SI units are given in the body of this International Standard, whilst those
expressed in USC units are given in Annex A. All figures in the body of this International Standard express
data in both SI and USC units (the latter given in brackets), with the exception of Figure 11, which is
reproduced as Figure A.1 using USC units. In the text, data in SI units are followed by data in USC units in
brackets.
For a specific order item, it is intended that only one system of units be used, without combining data
expressed in the other system.
Products manufactured to specifications expressed in either of these unit systems shall be considered
equivalent and totally interchangeable. Consequently, compliance with the requirements of this International
Standard as expressed in one system provides compliance with requirements expressed in the other system.
For data expressed in the SI system, a comma is used as the decimal separator and a space as the
thousands separator. For data expressed in the USC system, a dot (on the line) is used as the decimal
separator and a space as the thousands separator.
NOTE The procedures used to convert from SI units to USC units are given in Annex E.
ISO 15546:2011(E)
3 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 6892 (all parts), Metallic materials — Tensile testing
ISO 6506 (all parts), Metallic materials — Brinell hardness test
ISO 10893-10, Non-destructive testing of steel tubes — Part 10: Automated full peripheral ultrasonic testing of
seamless and welded (except submerged arc-welded) steel tubes for the detection of longitudinal and/or
transverse imperfections
ISO 10424-2, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Rotary drilling equipment — Part 2: Threading and
gauging of rotary shouldered thread connections
ISO 11130, Corrosion of metals and alloys — Alternate immersion test in salt solution
1)
ISO 11960:— , Petroleum and natural gas industries — Steel pipes for use as casing or tubing for wells
ISO 11961, Petroleum and natural gas industries — Steel drill pipe
ASTM B594-09, Standard Practice for Ultrasonic Inspection of Aluminum-Alloy Wrought Products for
Aerospace Applications
ASTM G1, Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens
4 Terms, definitions and symbols
4.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
4.1.1
aluminium alloy drill pipe
aluminium alloy drill pipe body with threaded steel tool joints
4.1.2
aluminium alloy drill pipe body
aluminium alloy pipe formed by extrusion, including any upsets and protector thickening
4.1.3
box
tool joint part that has internal tool joint thread
4.1.4
corrosion
adverse chemical alteration or destruction of a metal by air, moisture or chemicals
4.1.5
defect
imperfection of sufficient magnitude to warrant rejection of the product based on the criteria of this
International Standard
1) To be published. (Revision of ISO 11960:2004.)
2 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
4.1.6
gauge plane
imaginary plane, perpendicular to the thread axis of rotary shouldered connections, at which the pitch
diameter at gauge point is measured
4.1.7
heat
metal melted with one continuous operation of one metal batch
4.1.8
imperfection
discontinuity in the product wall or on the product surface that can be detected by visual inspection or a non-
destructive evaluation (NDE) method, as given in ISO 11960:—, Table C.42 or Table E.42
4.1.9
linear imperfection
imperfection which includes, but is not limited to, seams, laps, cracks, plug scores, cuts and gouges
NOTE See API STD 5T1 for terminology on imperfections.
4.1.10
lot
definite quantity of product manufactured under conditions that are considered uniform for the attribute being
inspected
4.1.11
manufacturer
firm, company or corporation responsible for marking the product
NOTE Marking by the manufacturer warrants that the product conforms to this International Standard, and it is the
manufacturer who is responsible for compliance with all of its applicable provisions.
4.1.12
pin
tool joint part that has external tool joint thread
4.1.13
pipe mill
firm, company or corporation that operates pipe-making facilities
4.1.14
plain pipe
part of aluminium alloy pipe body excluding upsets and protector thickening
4.1.15
room temperature
temperature between 5 °C and 50 °C
NOTE Between 41 °F and 122 °F.
4.1.16
seal gauge plane
imaginary plane, perpendicular to the thread axis of rotary shouldered connections, at which the seal
estimated diameter is measured
4.1.17
tool joint
steel tool joint element for aluminium alloy drill pipes consisting of two parts (pin and box)
ISO 15546:2011(E)
4.2 Symbols
D pipe body outside diameter
dp
D tool joint elevator bevel diameter
e
D tool joint bevel diameter
f
D tool joint bevel diameter
pe
D outside diameter of protector thickening
pt
D outside diameter of protector thickening with lower limit of tolerance
pt,min
D tool joint outside diameter
tj
D outside diameter of upset end
u
D pipe end external bevel diameter
D pipe end outside diameter in the end plane
D pipe thread outside diameter in the end plane
D pipe outside diameter in the seal estimated plane
d tool joint box inside diameter
b
d pipe body inside diameter
dp
d tool joint pin inside diameter
p
d inside diameter of the pipe upset
u
d pipe thread inside diameter in the gauge plane
d tool joint tapered bore diameter in the end plane
d tool joint tapered bore diameter in the seal estimated plane
d tool joint thread inside diameter in the gauge plane
d tool joint thread inside diameter in the end plane
d tool joint internal shoulder bevel diameter
f hydrostatic pressure test factor
K conversion coefficient
L tool joint box length
b
L length of external upset end
eu
L length of internal upset end
iu
4 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
L tool joint pin outside diameter length
pb
L pipe length without tool joint (the distance between the pipe ends)
pe
L pipe length with tool joint (the distance between the tool joint box face and the pin shoulder)
dp
L length of external upset end transition zone
L length of internal upset end transition zone
L length of protector thickening transition zone
L distance from tool joint end plane to inside shoulder face
L distance between the pipe body end and the end of the external taper shoulder
M cyclic bending moment
b
m mass of the specimen before the test
m mass of the specimen after the test
p standard hydrostatic test pressure
6
Ra x y indicator of surface roughness, where x stands for values in 10 m and y stands for values in


6
10 in
S surface area of the specimen
T test time
t
t wall thickness of pipe body
dp
t wall thickness of upset end
u
V corrosion rate
k
W section modulus of pipe body upset area
u
Y specified minimum yield strength of the pipe body
min
6
y indicator of surface roughness, where y stands for values in 10 in
σ stress level
5 Information to be supplied when placing orders for drill pipe
5.1 Basic information
When placing orders for aluminium alloy drill pipe without threads, with threads but without tool joints, or with
tool joints attached, the purchaser shall specify the following on the purchase order:
a) reference to this International Standard (i.e. ISO 15546);
b) quantity;
ISO 15546:2011(E)
c) upset type (internal, external, with protector thickening) (see Tables 3 to 6 and Figures 1 to 4);
d) aluminium alloy drill pipe delivery condition (see 6.4 and Clause 15);
e) outside diameter of pipe body (see Tables 3 and 4);
f) wall thickness of pipe body (see Tables 3 and 4);
g) aluminium alloy name (see Table 1);
h) pipe range or special length and tolerance by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer (see 8.2,
8.3.3 and Table 2);
i) delivery date and shipping instruction;
j) inspection by purchaser (see Annex B);
k) variants of the tool joint elevator bevel, if ordered with tool joints or other special connection by agreement
between purchaser and manufacturer (see Figure 8);
l) percentage of assembled pipes subject to hydrostatic testing (see 9.3).
5.2 Optional information
The purchaser should also state on the purchase order requirements concerning the following stipulations,
which are at the option of the purchaser:
a) pipe coatings (see 8.10);
b) marking requirements (see Clause 12);
c) non-destructive inspection (see 11.2 and 11.3);
d) corrosion rate test for material Group IV (see Table 1);
e) test certificates (see 14.1).
6 Process of manufacturing and delivery condition
6.1 General
Aluminium alloy drill pipe body furnished to this International Standard shall be made by a seamless process.
6.2 Heat treatment
Aluminium alloy drill pipe bodies shall be heat treated by solution heat treatment followed by artificial or
natural ageing. The aluminium pipe shall not be subjected to cold working after the final heat treatment
process, except for that which is incidental to normal straightening or threading operations.
The temperature and time requirements for the solution and ageing heat treatment cycles shall be determined
in accordance with the manufacturer's documented practice. Actual furnace temperatures and transfer timing
shall be documented in order to verify that each heat treatment lot meets the manufacturer's documented
requirements.
6 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
6.3 Traceability
The manufacturer shall establish and follow procedures for maintaining heat and/or lot identity until all
required heat and/or lot tests have been performed and conformance with specification requirements has
been verified. The procedures shall provide means for tracing tool joint and aluminium alloy drill pipe body to
the relevant heat or lot and to the specified chemical, mechanical or other performed test result.
6.4 Delivery condition
Aluminium alloy drill pipes and aluminium alloy drill pipe bodies shall be supplied as:
a) plain end pipe (without threads);
b) threaded pipe (without tool joints);
c) with tool joints attached.
7 Material requirements
7.1 Material groups
Materials for aluminium alloy drill pipe bodies shall comply with the requirements specified in Table 1:
 Group I: aluminium alloy drill pipe body of base strength;
 Group II: aluminium alloy drill pipe body of high strength;
 Group III: aluminium alloy drill pipe body of elevated temperature resistance;
 Group IV: aluminium alloy drill pipe body of enhanced corrosion resistance.
Table 1 — Material requirements for aluminium alloy drill pipe bodies
(see Table A.1 for USC units)
Material group
a
Characteristics Unit
I II Ill IV
b
Alloy name — D16T 1953T1 AK4-1T1 1980T1
Minimum yield strength
MPa 325 480 340 350
(0,2 % offset method)
Minimum tensile strength MPa 460 530 410 400
Minimum elongation % 12 7 8 9
Maximum operational temperature °C 160 120 220 160
Maximum corrosion rate in 3,5 %
g/(mh) — — — 0,08
sodium chloride solution
It is permitted to use an alternative aluminium alloy, as long as there is purchaser agreement and this alloy conforms to the requirements
of one of the four material group categories.
Mechanical testing shall be made in accordance with ISO 6892.
Maximum operational temperature is a material temperature that results in the minimum room temperature yield strength reduction by
no more than 30 % at the exposure time of 500 h. See ISO 20312 for material yield strength reduction at other operating temperatures.

a
The mechanical properties of the alloys given in this table are for a test temperature of (20  3) °C.

b
For chemical composition and properties of alloys, see References [9] and [11].

ISO 15546:2011(E)
7.2 Metallographic examination
Each heat treatment lot sample shall undergo metallographic examination. The macrostructure shall be
homogeneous, without cracks, pits, laminations, shrinkage cavities, surface tears or sponginess. The
microstructure shall not contain porosities or grain boundary eutectic melting resulting from solution heat
treatment.
For terminology relating to microstructure examination, see ASTM B917.
7.3 Chemical composition
Chemical analysis shall be undertaken on each heat. The manufacturer shall establish limits for chemical
composition and shall confirm to the established limits.
7.4 Steel tool joints
Material requirements for steel tool joints shall conform to ISO 11961.
8 Configuration and dimensions of pipes
8.1 Configuration
The configuration of the aluminium alloy drill pipe shall be in accordance with Figure 1 for pipes with internal
upset ends, with Figure 2 for pipes with external upset ends, and with Figures 3 and 4 for pipes with protector
thickening.
8.2 Length
Aluminium alloy drill pipe and aluminium alloy drill pipe body length ranges shall comply with the requirements
specified in Table 2 and Figure 1.
Table 2 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe and aluminium alloy drill pipe body length (see Figure 1)
(see Table A.2 for USC units)
Dimensions in metres
Range
Pipe delivery condition
1 2 3
Aluminium alloy drill pipe, L , tolerance 0,25 6,20 9,10 11,80
dp
Aluminium alloy drill pipe body, L , tolerance 0,25 5,80 8,70 11,40
pe
Other pipe lengths can be ordered by agreement between manufacturer and purchaser.

8.3 Dimensions of pipes and tool joints
8.3.1 Standard configuration
The configuration and dimensions of the pipe body and upset ends, together with the tolerances, shall be in
accordance with the following tables and figures and/or with the purchase agreement:
 for pipes with external upset ends: Table 3 (see also Figure 5);
 for pipes with internal upset ends: Table 4 (see also Figure 6);
8 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
 for pipes with protector thickening: Tables 5 and 6 (see also Figure 7).
All dimensions shown without tolerances are related to the basis for design and are not subject to
measurement to determine acceptance or rejection of product. Drill pipe dimensions that are not in this
International Standard or in the purchase agreement are at the manufacturer's discretion.
8.3.2 Protector thickening dimensions
Aluminium drill pipe of range 1, as well as aluminium drill pipe with outside diameter 63 mm (2.52 in), may not
be manufactured with protector thickenings.
Protector thickening shall be located in the middle of the pipe [tolerance  350 mm (13.78 in)].
The length of protector thickening transition zone, L , shall depend on the range of aluminium drill pipe, and
shall be (1 000  200) mm [(39.37  7.87) in] for range 2, and (1 600  250) mm [(62.99  9.84) in] for range 3.
8.3.3 Alternative configurations
When specified in the purchase agreement, drill pipe shall be furnished in dimensional configurations not
defined in this International Standard. In this case, dimensions, tolerances and markings shall be agreed
between the purchaser and manufacturer. The drill pipe body and tool joint shall be modified in accordance
with this agreement, but the drill pipe shall otherwise be manufactured in accordance with the requirements of
this International Standard.
8.3.4 Tool joint dimensions
The dimensions for the tool joints shall be in accordance with Figure 8 and Table 8.
Rotary shouldered connections shall conform to requirements of ISO 10424-2. Right-hand thread connections
shall be considered standard.
Other dimensions and designs of tool joints may be used by agreement between purchaser and manufacturer.
8.3.5 Pipe to tool joint connection dimensions
The thread dimensions of the tool joint (see Figure 9) are given in Table 8.
The thread dimensions for pipes (see Figure 10) are given in Table 9.
The dimensions of thread form are given in millimetres in Figure 11 (in inches in Figure A.1) for the tool joints
(top of figure) and for the pipe (bottom of figure).
Other types of connections for assembling tool joints with pipe may be used by agreement between purchaser
and manufacturer. In this case, the manufacturer shall have documented testing results to verify that this
connection complies with the tensile, torque and pressure requirements of ISO 20312.
8.4 Design mass
The calculated mass of the plain pipe per unit length, the mass increase of the upset ends and protector
thickening are indicated in Tables 3 to 6. The calculated mass of the tool joints is given in Table 7.
ISO 15546:2011(E)
NOTE Symbols are defined in 4.2.
Figure 1 — Aluminium Figure 2 — Aluminium Figure 3 — Aluminium Figure 4 — Aluminium
alloy drill pipe with alloy drill pipe with alloy drill pipe with alloy drill pipe with
internal upset external upset internal upset and external upset and
protector thickening protector thickening
(see Table 2)
10 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
a
Drill pipe axis.
NOTE Symbols are defined in 4.2.
Figure 5 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe body end with external upset (see Table 3)

a
Drill pipe axis.
NOTE Symbols are defined in 4.2.
Figure 6 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe body end with internal upset (see Table 4)
Dimensions in millimetres (inches)

a
Drill pipe axis.
NOTE 1 The protector thickening's outside surface can be of any shape, within the tolerance of D .
pt
NOTE 2 Symbols are defined in 4.2.
Figure 7 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe body protector thickening (see 8.3.2 and Tables 5 and 6)
ISO 15546:2011(E)
Dimensions in millimetres (inches)

a c
TT thread. Belt for marking.
b d
Rotary shouldered thread. Variants of the elevator shoulders.
NOTE Symbols are defined in 4.2.
Figure 8 — Tool joint for aluminium alloy drill pipe (see Table 7)
12 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
Dimensions in millimetres (inches)

a d
Reference dimensions. Gauge plane.
b e
TT thread. Seal estimated plane.
c
Thread axis.
NOTE 1 For shoulder configuration, see Figure 8. NOTE 3 Symbols are defined in 4.2.
NOTE 2 The thread length with the full profile is at least 83 mm.
Figure 9 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe body-tool joint thread connection (tool joint) (see Tables 7 and 8)
ISO 15546:2011(E)
Dimensions in millimetres (inches)

a
Reference dimensions.
b
TT thread.
c
Thread axis.
d
Gauge plane.
e
Seal estimated plane.
NOTE 1 The thread length with the full profile is at least 83 mm.
NOTE 2 Symbols are defined in 4.2.
Figure 10 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe body-tool joint thread connection (drill pipe body) (see Table 9)
14 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

ISO 15546:2011(E)
Dimensions in millimetres
a
Thread axis.
b
Variants of the thread crest (fillet or chamfer).
NOTE 1 Upper thread shape relates to tool joint thread, lower thread shape relates to pipe thread.
NOTE 2 Thread pitch (5,08 mm) is measured parallel to the thread axis.
NOTE 3 Bisectrix of the thread angle is perpendicular to the thread axis.
NOTE 4 All tolerances for the thread characteristics, except for the thread depth, are given for designing of the
thread-cutting tool.
NOTE 5 Thread run-out can be located on the chamfer between the thread and seal taper shoulder.
NOTE 6 For dimensions in inches, see Figure A.1.
Figure 11 — TT thread shape for aluminium alloy drill pipe bodies and tool joints
ISO 15546:2011(E)
Table 3 — Aluminium alloy drill pipes with external upset ends (see Figure 5)
(see Table A.3 for USC units)
Approximate
Dimensions of pipe body Dimensions of upset ends
calculated mass
mm mm
kg
Transition
Upset end length
Outside
zone length
diameter
L
eu
(both ends)
D
u
L
Box end Pin end
Tol. Tol.
Tol. Tol. Tol. Tol.
Tol.
 150  300
 1 %  10 %  10 %  50
 100  450
 2,5
90 8 74 5,77 4,00 13,0 100 350 350 500
 1,0
 2,5
114 10 94 9,15 7,77 19,0 132 350 350 500
 1,0
 2,5
129 9 111 9,50 21,97 18,0 147 1 300 350 500
 1,0
 4
131 13 105 13,49 22,32 21,5 147 1 300 350 500
0
 3,5
133 11 111 11,80 17,10 18,0 147 1 300 350 500
 2,0
 3,5
140 13 114 14,52 9,72 16,5 147 1 300 350 500
 2,0
 3,5
147 11 125 13,16 29,26 21,5 168 1 300 350 500
 2,0
 3,5
151 13 125 15,78 23,69 21,5 168 1 300 350 500
 2,0
 3,5
155 15 125 18,47 18,02 21,5 168 1 300 350 500
 2,0
 3,5
164 9 146 12,27 31,69 19,5 185 1 300 350 500
 2,0
 3,5
168 11 146 15,19 25,51 19,5 185 1 300 350 500
 2,0
a
Reference dimensions.
While calculating mass, aluminium alloy density shall be taken equal to 2 800 kg/m . In case of using other density alloys, compensation
factor shall be used.
16 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

Outside diameter, D
dp
Wall thickness, t
dp
a
Inside diameter, d
dp
1 m of the plain pipe body
Upset of both ends (increment)
Wall thickness, t
u
ISO 15546:2011(E)
Table 4 — Aluminium alloy drill pipe with internal upset ends (see Figure 6)
(see Table A.4 for USC units)
Approximate
Dimensions of pipe body Dimensions of upset ends
calculated mass
mm mm
kg
Transition
Upset end length
zone length
L
iu
(both ends)
L
Box end Pin end
Tol. Tol. Tol. Tol. Tol. Tol.
Tol.
 1 %  10 %  10 %  50  30  30
64 8 48 3,94 0,76 13 38 250  50 350 50 250
73 9 55 5,07 1,55 16 41 250  50 350 50 250
90 9 72 6,41 2,05 16 58 800  50 350 50 250
103 9 85 7,44 5,83 16 71 1 000  100 350 50 250
114 10 94 9,15 7,34 16 82 1 300  100 350 50 300
114 11 92 9,97 6,92 16 82 1 300  100 350 50 300
129 9 111 9,50 11,58 17 95 1 300  100 350 50 300
129 11 107 11,42 11,07 19 91 1 300  100 350 50 300
147 11 125 13,16 10,17 17 113 1 300  100 350 50 300
147 13 121 15,32 11,52 20 107 1 300  100 350 50 300
147 15 117 17,42 11,07 22 103 1 300  100 350 50 300
168 11 146 15,19 17,80 19 130,3 1 300  100 350 50 300
168 13 142 17,72 16,26 20,5 127,3 1 300  100 350 50 300
a
Reference dimensions.
While calculating mass, aluminium alloy density shall be taken equal to 2 800 kg/m . In case of using other density alloys, compensation
factor shall be used.
Outside diameter, D
dp
Wall thickness, t
dp
a
Inside diameter, d
dp
1 m of the plain pipe body
Upset of both ends (increment)
Wall thickness, t
u
Inside diameter, d
u
ISO 15546:2011(E)
Table 5 — Protector thickening of aluminium alloy drill pipe with external upset (see Figures 4 and 7)
(see Table A.5 for USC units)
Protector thickening
Aluminium alloy drill pipe
outside diameter
Increase in pipe mass due to protector thickening
Outside diameter
D
kg
dp D
pt
mm
mm
2 range 3 range
 3,0
Tol.
 2,8
129 146 9,57 13,99
131 156 17,29 25,27
133 146 13,37 19,53
140 172 20,51 29,98
147 172 10,37 15,15
151 172 2
...