FAQs

There are a large number of variables that may restrict the availability of specific sizes of XLERPLATE® steel. These include: product Standard restrictions, mill rolling rules and physical limits, metallurgical rules for mechanical property development, and grade rationalisation. If the actual size you require does not appear to be available please contact your XLERPLATE® steel distributor or contact us.

For the most up-to-date information please Download XLERPLATE® steel Size Schedules.

Normalising is a heat treatment process that refines the grain size of XLERPLATE® steel. The plate is put into a furnace and heated to a particular temperature. At this temperature a transformation takes place in the metallurgical structure of the steel. When subsequently cooled to room temperature, numerous new steel grains are formed that produce the desired fine-grained homogeneous structure. Care is required in the normalising process to ensure the correct temperature control, as well as heating and cooling rates which are achieved in order to ensure the correct properties are obtained.

The resulting fine grained structures improve both the strength and toughness of steel products.

In the first instance, contact the distributor that supplied the material. They will then contact the appropriate BlueScope Steel state sales office. Make sure you provide all details of the material eg. serial number, dimensions, grade and your questions regarding XLERPLATE® steel to your distributor.BlueScope Steel will contact you via your distributor to assess the situation. They may also arrange for works-based Customer Technical Service personnel to contact you and discuss your questions.

All major coated steel products from BlueScope Steel have won accreditation for use in contact with drinking water. BlueScope Steel commissioned the Australian Water Quality Centre in South Australia, an affiliate of the South Australian Water Corporation, to conduct testing on 19 of its steel products, read more.

For practical tips on gutter installation and maintenance view Technical Bulletin TB 04 - Maintenance of exterior BlueScope coated steel products. Good care of your guttering starts before installation. We recommend that you view the guide and discuss the points with your builder prior to installation. Additionally, to confirm the authenticity of your purchase, ask your installer to show you the COLORBOND® steel brand mark printed on the inside of your guttering.

Most Australian garden shed manufacturers use COLORBOND® steel.

However some garden sheds may be made with imported prepainted steel that might look the same, but isn't made to the same specifications and therefore doesn't necessarily deliver the same performance levels.

To guarantee you are getting genuine COLORBOND® steel made by BlueScope Steel, look for the 'branding' below.

Most Australian garden shed manufacturers use COLORBOND® steel. However, there are garden sheds available that use imported repainted steel.

The importance of looking for the brand was highlighted during recent market research undertaken by BlueScope Steel. Some garden sheds where made using imported prepainted steel so BlueScope Steel decided to have these products tested to see how they compared with COLORBOND® steel.

Research and Technical services people noticed that the primer was relatively thin. Additionally the paint was on a very thin zinc coated steel base. By comparison, COLORBOND® steel used in garden sheds has a ZINCALUME® steel base, with a zinc/aluminium alloy coating that is about 50% thicker. This means in most applications the COLORBOND® steel would have a longer service life. The other material would typically deteriorate to show red rust much sooner.

One interesting point was that the retailer of the sheds kept calling the product a "Colourbond" shed. This may mislead consumers into thinking the shed is made from COLORBOND® steel, made by BlueScope Steel. Therefore you should always look for the brand to ensure you are getting genuine COLORBOND® steel - manufactured by BlueScope Steel, in Australia, for Australian conditions.

Appropriate fasteners matched to WhitehavenTM are available in the market. If you require further assistance refer to SteelDirect 1800 022 999.

For roofing applications, BlueScope Steel offers a warranty* against corrosion to perforation by weathering in the natural elements for a period of up to 30 years from the date of installation. BlueScope Steel also warrants* that the paint system on COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel roofing will not flake or peel due to natural weathering for a period of up to 20 years from the date of installation.

^{*Warranty terms and conditions apply. Warranties are not available for all products and applications. The duration and terms and conditions of available warranties vary according to product use and application. Please visit BlueScope Steel Warranties for further information.}

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) has classified roof colour into light and dark on the basis of their solar absorbance. The lighter complying colours qualify for a Deemed to Satisfy insulation concession. The New South Wales Building and Sustainability Index (BASIX) has also classified colour into light medium and dark on the basis of their solar absorbance. The lighter and medium colours have insulation and or roof space ventilation concessions. For more Information see classification of COLORBOND® steel colours for BCA and NSW BASIX. Unpainted metal coated roofs, such as ZINCALUME® steel, have a low thermal emittance so perform differently to conventional painted surfaces (high emittance) from both an energy efficiency basis and impact upon urban heating. For the purpose of BCA and NSW BASIX ZINCALUME® steel should be considered a medium colour (per ASTM E1980)