Australian Stainless Blog

Changing costs of alloying elements

Changing costs of alloying elements

Sustained economic growth in China and the rest of the developing world has seen the demand for all the metals grow faster than the minerals industry can develop new mines and smelters.  The result is soaring prices for metals, and for coal and oil.

For a country like Australia - a big supplier of metals - it’s good news, and we have all enjoyed the benefits of the minerals boom. But those of us in the stainless steel industry have seen prices increase markedly, and it has been hard to cope with.  We live in interesting times.

In broad terms

Standing the test of time

Standing the test of time

The $10 million stainless steel revamp of Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall has certainly lived up to its original purpose, providing a durable, clean and simple linear theme.

In 2006, inspired by success stories of nearby stainless street furniture, the City of Melbourne council conducted a life cycle costing analysis – with astounding results.

City of Melbourne Industrial Designer Marika Mulqueen said stainless steel ensured low maintenance costs and design flexibility.

“Using stainless steel over powder coated steel significantly reduces ongoing maintenance costs. A comparison found that while stainless steel can initially cost more, over a 20 year period maintenance costs

Stainless to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Stainless to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

To overcome environmental concerns around landfill, Perth’s largest waste management authority, Mindarie Regional Council, is building a facility for the 70 per cent of household waste that is organic material and can be composted.

The $80m building is due for completion in 2009 and will save on landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and will produce a rich organic matter that may be added to Perth’s sandy soil.

The new composting facility, to be built using a prize-winning technology developed by Canadian firm, Conporec, comes at a time when the ongoing feasibility of landfill in crowded cities is questionable.

In September

Keep Contamination Out and Quality In

Keep Contamination Out and Quality In

Posted 31 July 1993

Quality is the buzz word of the last part of the 20th Century and manufacturers ignore quality control at their peril. With proper attention to detail, stainless steel will provide satisfactory service for many years. The Chrysler building in New York has a stainless steel finish that is in excellent condition after 60 years.

Stainless steel is a quality material and for products made from it to meet the demanding quality standards required, there are some special features that those used to fabricating other materials must watch if their product is to meet their customer's

Why Stainless? KOZ


Posted 31st July 1993

A new product design company, KOZ Functional Art will shortly be launching a bath ware series called "Bath Art" made entirely from stainless steel

KOZ's mission is to design and manufacture distinctively Australian innovative domestic wares - "Functional Art". The name expresses our design commitment to quality and the integration of meaning, aesthetics and function. KOZ's research found that stainless steel is an ideal material for the Bath Art application because of its durability , low maintenance, design flexibility and ease of manufacture. The Bath Art range comprises four products - shower caddy, soap holder, toothbrush

Stunning Little Creatures

Stunning Little Creatures
ASSDA Accredited Member TFG Austline Pty Ltd was recently entrusted to install a new brewhouse and fermentation cellar for Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Over a five-month period, a team of Austline fabricators and specialised welders installed 25 vessels, five kilometres of stainless steel pipework, heat exchangers and over 3,000 fittings and valves into the
new brewhouse.

Austline Manager, Tom Moultrie, said the construction process was quite unique. “The whole project was carried out with the old brewery, bar and restaurant sandwiched between the new brewery and fermentation cellar,” he said.

Little Creatures Project Manager, Roger Bailey, said

Stainless Steel and Plumbing Standards

Stainless Steel and Plumbing Standards

After three years of development, the first stage of a Standard covering the grade and dimensions of stainless steel pipes and tubes suitable for water supply and drainage systems has been completed. This interim Standard will be converted to a full Australian Standard in 2009.

The Standards Committee included ASSDA representative Neil McPherson of OneSteel, supported by the Technical Committee.

To avoid possible confusion and protect against corrosion problems in aggressive water supply areas, grades 316 and 316L are specified for the plumbing installation Code of Practice. All materials that satisfy the requirement for water supply and drainage systems must

Stainless Refinery First of its Kind

Stainless Refinery First of its Kind
Australia’s first grain-to-ethanol refinery has begun production in Queensland, with an expected output of more than 80 million litres a year.

Seven pressure vessels and five columns were fabricated by ASSDA Accredited D&R Stainless from 30 tonnes of grade 304 stainless
steel supplied by ASSDA member Sandvik.

The column sizes range from an acid reduction column 750mm in diameter and 14.2 metres long to a beer column 1900mm in diameter and 24 metres long. 

The columns were fabricated to tight tolerances set by process design engineers Detla T Technology, in the United States.

Chief Executive Officer of Dalby Bio-Refinery Limited,

Showcasing motorcycle champions with stainless

Showcasing motorcycle champions with stainless

The Ducati Sydney Racing Team have many reasons to be proud after Twin Cylinder motorcycle rider, Craig McMartin, won the 2004 Australian Pro-Twins Championship.

McMartin, who also won the championship in 2001 and 2002, rode his Ducati Sydney 999S to his third victory at the final round held in September 2004 at Phillip Island, Victoria.

The success of McMartin and fellow Ducati riders in the Championship also contributed to the Ducati team winning the fourth successive Manufacturers Championship.

Every Championship win gives Ducati the edge over other motorcycle manufacturers as they compete for the attention of enthusiasts seeking to purchase

Remembering a loved one - forever shining in stainless steel

Remembering a loved one - forever shining in stainless steel

When a loved one passes, you want to remember your special person's life with a suitable monument that reflects your love. After losing a loved one, two men came up with a shining memorial of stainless steel that would help make the memory of a loved one shine forever.

With no prior experience or previous interest in cemetery and crematorium industry, mechanical engineers Allan Burman and Albert Boer started a business to manufacture and supply modern stainless steel memorials.

Allan's daughter, Nicole, was a vibrant, energetic, artistic, high achieving, talented young woman. Unfortunately, Nicole was diagnosed with a serious brain

northern hospitality shines in stainless at bar zushi

northern hospitality shines in stainless at bar zushi

Friendships in business are the key to success in Darwin's hospitality community. Like the many subtle flavours in sashimi, creating a Japanese restaurant such as Bar Zushi in the Casuarina Square Shopping Centre requires the co-ordination of many people and elements to design a truly inviting and friendly atmosphere.

 

Darwin-based company Brilliant Kitchens and Interiors won the HIA NT Housing Award in 2005 for Best Commercial Kitchen and Fitout for the unique restaurant design that features a waterfall centrepiece manufactured from stainless steel by local ASSDA Accredited Fabricator, Northern Stainless.

  

Drawing customers to the restaurant is an exquisite

Making a big entrance with stainless steel

Making a big entrance with stainless steel

Fusing industrial technology with the domestic aesthetic is a hard challenge, but Architect, Zelman McLaren of Z1 Designs has mastered it by transferring stainless steel industrial wire rope into an attractive household feature for front doors.

The stainless steel braided door pull creates a unique alternative, adding flair to house entrance designs.McLaren has combined both his profession of architecture with the industrial world of wire rope manufacture to invent a stunning range of braided door pulls that blur the lines between wall mounted art and the functional door pull.

The invention came about from a 'technology transfer' thanks to an 'Orbital Braider' invention developed by McLaren's father, Raymond McLaren of Andromeda Engineering.

The 'Orbital Braider'

Lounge around in stainless steel daybeds from Klein

Lounge around in stainless steel daybeds from Klein

Lounge around in style on prestige daybeds featuring patterned stainless steel with a relaxed, resort aesthetic.

Klein Architectural's products include outdoor furniture such as the double deckchair, tables, water features, planters, mirrors and more.By night, the beds are a stunning poolside feature with a supplied light box gently projecting a kaleidoscope of colour on the swirling stainless steel surface.

Featuring one hundred percent waterproof UV rated upholstery with welded seams and castor wheels for easy mobility, the 'Ibiza' daybed is ideal for poolside entertaining.

ASSDA member, Klein Architectural has launched the 'Ibiza' daybeds nationally along with a range of other ultra-modern products designed to make life easier.

Working well in both commercial areas as well as in

Fishing for compliments: stainless steel fish art

Fishing for compliments: stainless steel fish art

Steve Mason and his mate were sitting on a couch one day drinking beer when Steve came up with the idea of using stainless to turn his mate's wall into a work of art.

Steve's mate had just purchased a new unit with a large sea green wall. As the pair sat staring at the wall, Steve got an idea that would change his life ..... and complement his mate's wall.

"He wanted something to hang on the wall to break up the space, so I made him a school of eight mackerel," Mason said.

A boilermaker from Woodford, Queensland,

Drinking to a healthy life with stainless raincatchers

Drinking to a healthy life with stainless raincatchers

As many cities and towns across Australia continue to experience water restrictions due to the drought, seeking solutions to water saving is now a high priority with consumers.

Raincatcher - a unique design that separates the atmospheric and roof pollutants from the water.In 1994, ASSDA member, Hart to Hart Fabrications developed the Raincatcher - a unique design that separates the atmospheric and roof pollutants from the water.

The Raincatcher tank is manufactured from grade 304 stainless steel. Even parts like pins, hinges and filter screens are all made from stainless steel material.

Rainwater from the roof runs through the leaf diverter, removing leaves and large debris. The rainwater then flows through a unique filtration

Designing kitchens of style with Bell Stainless

Designing kitchens of style with Bell Stainless

Great attention to detail is what immediately comes to mind when you visit the home and kitchen of Kenmore Hills property developer, Matt Sproule.

Sproule's residence in Brisbane's westside features a modern stainless steel kitchen designed by Brian Grant Kitchens and Bathrooms that would be the envy of most interior designers and home chefs.

According to Sproule, friend and business associate, Royce Amos of Royce Amos Interior Design was the driving force for the inclusion of stainless steel benches in the design.

Fabricated by ASSDA Accredited Fabricator Bell Stainless, the large prestige kitchen has four food preparation areas all

crimsafe security: stainless steel that's tough on crime

crimsafe security: stainless steel that's tough on crime

Small business owner Peter Burr is really serious about protecting property at his automotive engineering business in Brisbane. 

Using his engineering background, Peter Burr beat the burglars with ASSDA member, Crimsafe's Commercial System product with unique screw-clamp design. 

“We got it because I saw a number of the businesses around us get broken into,” Peter says. “In fact just before I started looking for a stainless security mesh the businesses in the industrial park where we are located were broken into five times in just eight months”.

“The usual method of entry was a heavy bit of concrete or

Creating consumer appeal with Koolall and stainless steel

Creating consumer appeal with Koolall and stainless steel

Food retail shops and bars are constantly vying for the attention of consumers. Presentation is everything and stainless steel appeal can often be an essential ingredient to business success.

LENARD'S POULTRY SHOP

 

One such Australian business success is Lenard's Poultry. Lenard's was voted the Best Food Retailer in Australia by the National Retail Association at the 2005 Rewards for Excellence.

With more than 194 stores throughout Australia and more planned to open in the next financial year, Lenard's went head-to-head with some heavy-weight competitors including supermarkets, takeaway food and fresh food retailers to secure the prestigious title.

According to

Choosing hot water storage tanks

Choosing hot water storage tanks

Replacing your hot water system is both inconvenient and expensive, so it pays to carefully consider a hot water storage tank that will stand the test of time as well as deliver energy (and cost) efficiencies.

Storage tanks for hot water systems are made from either stainless steel or from carbon steel with a coating of vitreous enamel.

Stainless steel hot water storage tanks

A hot water storage tank made from grade 316 stainless steel. Image courtesy of Edwards Hot Water.Stainless steel tanks are made from 316 stainless steel, a material which is typically used in the marine industry because of its high corrosion resistance. The 316 stainless steel provides a natural barrier to corrosion that

Building sustainably with stainless steel termimesh

Building sustainably with stainless steel termimesh

Residential developers are encouraging new homebuyers to adopt more environmentally friendly materials when building - a trend that is growing in strength throughout many Australian capital cities and regional towns.

Termimesh works just like an insect screen. The mesh barrier is expertly installed across concealed potential termite entry points during the early stages of construction.The Old Broome Estate's Sustainable Home Award is offering $20,000 cash as a first prize incentive to a homeowner/builder who can best meet the sustainable design guidelines.

One sustainable element specified in the guidelines included using a non-toxic white ant deterrent such as Termimesh, a stainless mesh barrier manufactured by ASSDA member, TMA Corporation (formerly Termimesh Australia).

Termites nest in the ground underneath homes and if left unchecked can make

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