API Spec 20B-2020 PDF

Full title and description

API SPEC 20B:2020 — Open Die Shaped Forgings for Use in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry. This specification defines requirements for manufacturer qualification, production, marking and documentation of individually shaped open-die forgings (including ring-rolled forgings) intended for pressure-containing or load‑bearing components in oil and gas equipment.

Abstract

This specification establishes technical, quality and qualification requirements for open-die shaped forgings used in petroleum and natural gas industry equipment. It sets out four Forging Specification Levels (FSLs) to differentiate product and manufacturer obligations, and defines required documentation, marking, production controls and acceptance criteria when referenced by an applicable equipment standard or purchase specification.

General information

• Status: Current (document record shows reaffirmation as R2025).
• Publication date: November 2020 (Second edition, published November 2020).
• Publisher: American Petroleum Institute (API).
• ICS / categories: Iron and steel forgings (ICS area commonly cited: 77.140.85).
• Edition / version: Second edition — API SPEC 20B:2020 (noted in repositories as API SPEC 20B:2020(R2025) when reaffirmed).
• Number of pages: 26 pages.

Scope

Applies to open-die shaped forgings (including ring-rolled forgings) used where service conditions in petroleum and natural gas equipment warrant individually shaped forgings. Typical covered parts include pressure-containing and load-bearing components. Excluded are forged bar, rolled bar and forgings from which multiple parts are removed; the specification is intended to be referenced by an applicable equipment standard or purchaser requirement.

Key topics and requirements

• Manufacturer qualification and production controls for open-die shaped forgings.
• Definition and application of four Forging Specification Levels (FSL) to set differing technical and quality requirements.
• Material, heat treatment and dimensional control expectations specific to open-die forgings used in API service.
• Required marking, traceability and documentation (certificates of conformance, heat/lot traceability and test reports).
• Acceptance criteria, inspection and testing requirements (including nondestructive examinations where specified by the referencing standard).
• Roles and responsibilities of purchaser, manufacturer and inspection authority for qualification and verification.

Typical use and users

Used by forging manufacturers, foundries, OEMs, pressure‑equipment designers, procurement/specification engineers, inspection bodies and quality managers in the oil & gas and petrochemical sectors. Typical applications include custom pressure-containing parts, shafts, hubs and other load-bearing components where castings or standard bars are unsuitable.

Related standards

Often used alongside other API and industry standards for materials and inspection (examples: API Spec 20A, API Spec 20E, and related API equipment standards that reference forgings). It is also aligned in subject with international open‑die forging standards (EN/ISO series for forgings) and nondestructive examination qualification documents referenced by API equipment standards.

Keywords

open die forgings; shaped forgings; ring‑rolled forgings; forging specification levels (FSL); manufacturer qualification; marking; traceability; petroleum industry; natural gas; API Spec 20B.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: API SPEC 20B:2020 is an API specification that sets requirements for open‑die shaped forgings intended for use in petroleum and natural gas industry equipment, covering manufacturer qualification, production and documentation.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers technical, quality and documentation requirements for individually shaped open‑die forgings (including rolled rings) used for pressure‑containing or load‑bearing parts when specified by an equipment standard or purchaser; it defines four Forging Specification Levels (FSLs) and associated obligations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Forging manufacturers, OEMs, design and procurement engineers in oil & gas, inspection and testing organizations, and quality/compliance teams that specify or verify forgings for API service.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2020 edition is current in commercial repositories and is recorded as reaffirmed R2025 in standard catalogues (i.e., active with reaffirmation noted in 2025 records).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It belongs to the API product/parts standards family addressing materials and component requirements; related API documents on castings, bolting and examination services are commonly referenced alongside 20B when specifying forged components.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Open die forgings, shaped forgings, FSL, manufacturer qualification, marking, traceability, petroleum and natural gas industry.