FAQs

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.

Only material which is rolled on the plate mill can be ultrasonically tested. Therefore, XLERPLATE LITE® steel cannot be ultrasonically tested as it originates from the hot strip mill.

Ultrasonic testing must be specified at the time of order. Ultrasonic testing is generally carried out to AS 1710, but testing to International Standards may be done on request.

AS 4100 and AS 1554 Standards provide the guidelines for when ultrasonic testing should be specified. As a general rule, whenever the final product or application is of a critical nature, eg. there may be fatigue or heavy machining to be carried out; or where welds are subject to final ultrasonic inspection; the parent plate should be ordered with ultrasonic testing. AS1710 Level 2 is the most commonly specified Standard. Whilst all care is taken during manufacturing, unless the XLERPLATE® steel has been ordered ultrasonically tested, there is no guarantee that it will meet the requirements of AS 1710, if subsequently tested. It is the customers' responsibility to specify ultrasonic testing and the level required, based on their knowledge of the XLERPLATE® steel’s end use application and final weld ultrasonic testing requirements.

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.

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.