Technical and Weld Zone Resources

Vernier callipers are used to check the width & height on Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS), Square Hollow Section (SHS) & Circular Hollow Section (CHS) product. They are also used to measure the inside (bore) diameter when a nominal bore is required.

To reduce the incidence of white rust precautions should be taken when receiving the product and storing it, addressing each of the conditions that cause it, as outlined below.

There are various methods to remove white rust and repair damage, depending on the severity of the oxide coating.

Often early onset staining can be removed or significantly reduced by wiping with a little Kerosene, or vinegar then rinsing with water and drying.

White rust is a naturally forming white deposit that develops on galvanized steel due to corrosion process.

Zinc products are susceptible if the surfaces become and stay wet while in a pack or bundle. Capillary action pulls water into the space between tubes where the absence of airflow contributes to the accelerated formation of naturally forming corrosion products.

White rust is most commonly encountered during transport and storage when material becomes wet and the trapped moisture between touching surfaces is unable to escape and is also referred to as ‘wet storage stain’.

This special purpose Orrcon Steel tube is a cold-formed structural hollow section made from BlueScope's REDCOR® weathering steel. It is manufactured using the ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) process, external weld upset is removed to give a smooth clean surface finish with equivalent metallurgical properties. BlueScope REDCOR® weathering steel is a high strength steel that develops a stable oxide layer on the surface of the steel known as a 'patina'. When used is the appropriate environment, the patina enhances corrosion resistance of the steel compared to conventional structural steels effectively 'weathering' the steel in a natural way. Once fully formed and weathered, the appearance of this film is uniform, usually of a dark brown or purple colour. The colour can blend nicely with the environment and improves with age

FENCESPEC-GAL® is cold-formed structural hollow Pipe and Tube made from pre-galvanized coated steel. It is manufactured using the ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) process, external weld upset is removed and the zinc coating along the weld zone is restored using hot metal spray. The product meets the requirements of AS 1450 – Steel tubes for mechanical purposes.

BLU350® Blue painted circular hollow section (CHS) is manufactured to achieve the required mechanical strength, chemistry, and dimensional requirements of AS/NZS 1163-C350L0.

Available in a range of outer diameter (OD) sizes that are ideal for structural and load bearing applications in construction, engineering, and mining, BLU350® provides consistent quality and wall thickness combined with strength and ductility. These properties allow for reliable use in steel structures AS 4100, in screw piling applications when designed and installed to AS 2159, as well as more broadly steelwork for mechanical equipment as per AS 3990.

The blue SMARTCOTE® water-based acrylic paint coating identifies the CHS BLU350® range. The paint protects the steel, is oil-free; attracting less dust and grime providing ease in handling, is readily welded with minimal spatter, and is easily removed by solvent cleaners prior to hot-dip galvanizing. A great advantage over pipe with heavy lacquer coatings.

Made in Australia by Orrcon Steel and produced from quality hot rolled steel supplied by BlueScope Australia the steel chemistry and material properties are controlled by grade to consistently meet engineering design requirements – including yield and tensile strength, impact performance, sectional properties, weldability, and galvanizing performance.