Australian Steel vs Chinese Steel
10 April 2023
Shane Barker, Business Development Manager
IN BRIEF
- Steel commercial building systems contain a lot of steel – and the substantial cost of steel can be a big factor in your project.
- Steel prices in Australia fluctuate, and it can be tempting to buy cheap Chinese steel instead.
- Your commercial steel building deserves better – Chinese steel is typically poor quality, can cause welds to crack, and may not be manufactured in the same way Australian steel building supplies are made.
- This article lists our top 3 steel suppliers in North East Victoria: Steelforce, InfraBuild and Surdex. 
CONTENTS
What are the Risks of Buying Steel from China?
Cheap building steel may seem like a bargain initially but it can cause significant costly problems down the track when gradual corrosion or sudden catastrophic failures occur.
Why is Chinese Steel Poor Quality?
Cracking Welds Due to Boron-infused Cheap Steel
In 2014 it was reported that Chinese manufacturers added boron to their steel in order to claim a significant import tax rebate. Boron is a useful element that can harden steel, however in this case, the additive amount was so small it didn’t actually alter the use of the steel even though it could now be classed as a special alloy steel that could be sold more cheaply because of the rebate.
The safety issue here is that boron has been known to cause welds to crack.
A report on the effect of boron in steel published by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources notes that “because of its strong effect on hardenability, the presence of Boron in steels introduces the requirement of stricter weld procedure control to avoid cracking.”
"If a welder is unaware their steel contains boron, or the amount is unknown or unregulated, they are unlikely to choose the correct welding approach to overcome this issue and the welds may not be as strong and reliable," says Shane
- Shane Barker, Steelcorp
Not All Standards are Created Equal
The Department’s report goes on to say that even when Chinese steel appears to meet local Australian steel standards, the quality can be quite variable.
“The various standards [across the world] can be comparable but are rarely equivalent, because of at least small differences in steel compositions and mechanical properties. Therefore, although imported steels may be comparable (or a close match) to steel standards specified in relevant AS/NZS standards, they will not normally be equivalent.”
So, even though imported Chinese steel technically meets Australian Standards, it is not in its purest form and is typically a lot dirtier than Australian steel. Structures built with this cheap steel can lack structural integrity and cause potential safety issues, whereas Australian made steel is of better quality.
The key takeaway from this is that it is far safer to use Australian steel in your commercial structures, as it offers consistent, predictable behaviour over the long term.
Australian Steel Standards
AS 4100 for structural steel design
AS/NZS 4600 for design of cold-formed steel structures
AS/NZS 5100.6 for design of steel bridges
AS/NZS 2327 for composite steel and concrete design
Material Standards such as AS/NZS 1163, AS/NZS 1397, AS/NZS 3678, AS/NZS 3679.1 and AS/NZS 3679.2 define properties such as chemical composition, mechanical properties, tolerances on dimensions, and method of manufacture based on known Australian steels, along with testing statistics and work practices.
"Whilst the price of steel might be a little higher at the outset, when you choose Australian steel and other locally made products you’re supporting the economy, keeping jobs in Australia, and getting a rugged steel structure that is sure to stand the test of time," says Shane
- Shane Barker, Steelcorp
The Solution: Where to Get Quality Australian Steel
Steelforce
Steelforce supplies high-quality Australian steel at competitive prices, with a range of fully compliant products that are consistent in quality and backed by great service.
Infrabuild
Infrabuild is a steel manufacturer with a sophisticated traceability system in place to ensure the quality of its steel throughout the supply chain.
Surdex
Headquartered in Victoria, Surdex supplies quality steel products throughout Australia, leveraging distributorships with large Australian-owned mills including Bluescope, Lysaght, Stramit, Onesteel, Bisalloy and AusTube Mills.
Steelcorp: Experts in Australian Made Commercial and Industrial Steel Buildings
Whilst the investment might be a little higher at the outset, when you choose Australian steel you’re guaranteed to get a tough, rugged steel structure that will stand the test of time.
Give Shane at Steelcorp team a call to find out more about our high-quality Australian-made commercial steel structures.
