Australian Stainless Blog

A new twist on stainless design

A new twist on stainless design

With a striking and innovative design evoking visions of the Singapore based Helix Bridge, stainless steel has formed an integral part in creating one of Sydney’s most exciting new structures.

Commissioned by Landcom as part of the Lachlan Line Precinct development project in North West Sydney’s Macquarie Park, the yet to be officially named cyclist bridge provides visual flair, safe accessibility, and excitement to the area. In an area with typically heavy traffic congestion, the project’s promotion of reduced car dependency creates a significant positive impact to the surrounding environment.

The design is the first of its kind in Australia,

Comparisons of hot and cold formed stainless steel

Comparisons of hot and cold formed stainless steel

When comparing hot and cold formed stainless steel, the first question you would ask yourself is: are there any chemical differences between the two? ASSDA has previously published articles on the various surface finishes including the few hot and multiple cold finished processes, however this article concentrates on the differences. 

Since the 1970s, most stainless steel is produced by melting in an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and then the molten stainless steel is transferred to an Argon Oxygen Decarburisation (AOD) vessel or, less commonly, a Vacuum Oxygen Decarburisation (VOD) vessel. These processes control impurities such as carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, hydrogen

Award-winning stainless food plant

Award-winning stainless food plant

World-class processing systems demand high quality products, innovative features, and long-term yield increase, all of which have been delivered through superior workmanship, engineering, and the use of stainless steel.

ASSDA Member, INOX Australia, was engaged by a Melbourne based stock and soup manufacturer to design the integral process, fabricate, install, and commission a beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable stock processing system. The processing system is entirely fabricated in stainless steel as it has been essential to the project design and fabrication, being the material of choice in demanding hygienic environments that involve high heat. 

Exceeding their client’s expectations, INOX

Stainless steel – a mainstay in water assets

Stainless steel – a mainstay in water assets

A mainstay in the processing of sewage water in water recycling applications, stainless steel once again plays a critical part in working towards a sustainable future.

Western Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), south of Werribee in Melbourne’s Western District, is a critical asset responsible for processing around half of the city’s total sewage. The process requires a massive footprint, where a series of large lagoons use anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (with oxygen) bacteria to sequentially break down and clean the feed water of solids and gases. The resultant recycled water is used for multiple non-drinking purposes, including irrigation and firefighting. 

Screening Melbourne’s drinking water

Screening Melbourne’s drinking water

Stainless steel is playing a vital role in delivering effective bulk water intake screens for Melbourne’s water supply.

Designed and manufactured in Brisbane, ASSDA Member Aqseptence Group Australia has recently delivered one of the largest passive intake screens in the Southern Hemisphere. Having produced more than 4,000 screens for the last  50 years, this latest milestone achieved a nomination in the hotly contested Process Industries category of the 2019 ASSDA Fabricator Project of the Year Award. 

In mid-August 2019, Aqseptence Group was engaged by a joint venture of John Holland and KBR to provide design and construct services for a significant capital

Seven ways to prevent tea staining of stainless steel

Seven ways to prevent tea staining of stainless steel

When used properly, stainless steel enjoys a strong and enduring reputation for visual appeal and structural integrity in a wide range of applications and environments. But, like all materials, stainless steel may become stained or discoloured over time, impairing the overall look. This brown discolouration - tea staining - has been identified in coastal applications in Australia and overseas.

In the late 1990s, the newly formed ASSDA Technical Committee researched the reasons for the brown discolouration. ASSDA’s work, in collaboration with the International Molybdenum Association, led to guidelines published in 2001 explaining the causes and remedial techniques. The work was

Stainless steel - The right choice for an environmentally sustainable upgrade

Stainless steel - The right choice for an environmentally sustainable upgrade

Stainless steel provides a cutting edge and environmentally friendly solution for industrial applications.

Dow Chemicals, a global chemicals manufacturer, recently completed a major upgrade of the wastewater treatment system at their Victorian Point Henry coatings plant. The plant manufactures acrylic emulsions which find use in numerous applications including house paints. ASSDA Members Stirlings Performance Steels and Barwon Valley Stainless provided supply and fabrication services for this impressive wastewater treatment facility upgrade. 

Wastewater produced in the production facility is pumped into flocculation tanks for settling and the clear supernatant is sent for further biological treatment. This treated water is recycled back to

Stainless at first sight

Stainless at first sight

Located in the foothills of Perth, Aegis Amherst opened in July 2019 providing residential aged care in Canningvale, Western Australia. Set at the core focal point of the aged care facility presents a grand stainless steel balustrading ramp façade. 

ASSDA Member and Accredited Fabricator Balustrading WA were engaged by Absecon to fabricate and install a modern, safe, purpose-built ramp that would encompass strength and aesthetic attributes. 

The custom-designed ramp features an impressive 170 metres of grade 316 stainless steel tube. 

The handrails were manufactured from 50mm diameter stainless steel round tube. All stainless steel components were specified with a No.

A stainless approach to protecting the environment

A stainless approach to protecting the environment

Safeguarding Australia’s environmental biosecurity is critical in preventing the introduction and spread of pests and diseases, and the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in northern Melbourne is setting the benchmark in international best practice with the use of stainless steel.

The PEQ facility in Mickelham is a state-of-the-art, purpose-built operation constructed to streamline the country’s quarantine services and consolidate five pre-existing Commonwealth PEQ facilities spread across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Managed by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the 144ha site includes an administration building, modern laboratories, dog and cat receiving areas, horse facilities

Coloured and patterned stainless steel

Coloured and patterned stainless steel

Think stainless steel, and most people think ‘bright, shiny and silver’. But did you know that specifying stainless steel is not limited by its silver appearance?

Coloured and textured stainless steel is an exciting material choice for designers and architects. In addition to offering a high quality and aesthetically-pleasing finish with choice of colour, stainless steel’s superior benefits when compared with plastics or anodised aluminium include resistance to heat, light, abrasion and corrosion, and overall increased durability and performance extending the service life of the application.

This article will take a look back at the development of coloured stainless steel,

Rheem Australia’s Sturdy Stainless Steel Range

Rheem Australia’s Sturdy Stainless Steel Range

Stainless steel hot water heaters offer superior design combining high thermal efficiency, corrosion resistance, durability and performance for domestic applications.

ASSDA Member Rheem Australia has been committed to delivering hot water systems for over 80 years, with its first gas water heater manufactured in 1939 in Waterloo, Sydney. Through new product development and innovation, Rheem Australia has pioneered the commercial production of Australian-made hot water systems, designed and built for Australian conditions.

Operations Manager at Rheem, Gavan Schaeche, says, “Rheem Moorabbin is leading the way with its very own Stainless Steel and Commercial Centre of Excellence. The centre performs 125km of stainless steel welds

Stainless steel… Limitless

Stainless steel… Limitless

‘Limitless’ is the stainless steel sculptural creation of Gold Coast artist Ian Haggerty, whose concept was selected in a design competition by Bond University to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

The 6.5m tall sculpture takes pride of place under the university’s iconic Arch and gleams in dignity and elegance from its 316L grade stainless steel construction. Inspired by the limitless possibilities created by education, the sculpture features a world sphere at its centre with four overarching wings representing the four pillars of learning: Learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be.

Reflection was also

Stainless steel makes an entrance

Stainless steel makes an entrance

A collaboration between ASSDA Members using 'gold' stainless steel has delivered the epitome of opulent luxury at The Star Sydney.

The Star Sydney's multi-million-dollar transformation has seen its Pyrmont Street entrance revolutionise the guest arrival experience, with a porte-cochère facing the glittering Darling Harbour and a refurbished Grand Foyer combining innovative architecture, contemporary art and technology.

Over 4000m2 of grade 316 stainless steel with a gold finish is featured throughout the Grand Foyer and porte-cochère, enriching the luxurious look and feel of the integrated resort. ASSDA Member Steel Color Australia supplied 1mm and 1.2mm thick stainless steel sheet in