FAQs

Weathering steel grades include XLERPLATE® steel AS/NZS 3678 - WR350 and XLERPLATE LITE® steel AS/NZS 1594 - HW350.

BlueScope Steel does not recommend applying chemicals to hasten the weathering process and application of acid may pit the steel.

During normal conditions, the steel 'weathers' to an orange/brown patina. To maintain this patina, a clear lacquer can be applied but the coating must be maintained.

For more advice on weathering steel contact BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789.

For most plain carbon manganese steels the yield strength decreases approximately linearly with increasing temperature at the rate of around 0.1% of room temperature strength per 1°C increase in temperature. This means that most steels have about 50% of their room temperature strength at 500°C.

Above this temperature, the rate of softening increases more rapidly. Also other factors such as creep and oxidation become important at higher temperatures and can further increase the rate of softening. For these reasons, plain carbon steels are not generally suitable for applications above 450°C.

The material supplied by BlueScope Steel is certified to the grade originally ordered. Because not all XLERPLATE® steel or XLERPLATE LITE® steels within a batch are individually tested, the specific properties for any particular plate are not known, and they can therefore not be reapplied to another Standard or grade. Where this situation arises, contact XLERPLATE® Customer Service on 1300 135 004. The customer service team will be able to assist in determining what product has been individually tested within a given batch. Product that has been tested may be reapplied, PROVIDED the test results comfortably meet ALL the requirements of the new grade or Standard. Product that was not individually tested must be tested to the requirements of the new grade or Standard. 

The material identification (XLERPLATE® steel serial number) of the particular material unit tested is noted on the test certificate. Check if the XLERPLATE® steel serial number you have received corresponds with that shown on the test certificate as the tested unit. If there is no corresponding serial number, contact your distributor or BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789 to obtain the correct test certificate.

This is largely because they have been derived or originated in countries with different approaches to the naming system. Generally when there are a number of grades within a Standard they are grouped and listed sequentially with some regard to either the chemistry (eg. K1010, K1020) or the strength (eg. 250, 350).

BlueScope Steel may be able to supply the International Standard, but it will depend on the order quantity required. For some specifications where the chemical composition of the overseas grade cannot be married in with a grade regularly produced in Australia, the minimum manufacturing quantity may be as much as 500 tonnes. For this reason, an equivalent Australian grade (that has similar mechanical properties) may be a suitable alternative. Contact XLERPLATE® steel Customer Service on 1300 135 004 to discuss your needs.

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.

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.