Specifying for marine and industrial environments (updated)

COLORBOND® steel Ultra Port Kembla baths

COLORBOND® steel, COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel and ZINCALUME® steel have all been developed to provide design versatility and to suit a wide range of environments. In addition to these materials, which are suited to most locations, COLORBOND® Ultra steel and SUPERDURA® Stainless steel are available to provide enhanced corrosion protection in more demanding environments, like those by the sea or in areas prone to industrial or chemical fumes and fallout.

COLORBOND® Ultra steel is the product BlueScope recommends for severe marine environments and SUPERDURA® Stainless steel is specially designed for very severe marine environments.

Which steel material should I choose?

The following tables show which materials might best be suited to your needs, depending on your location. Table 1, shows the products BlueScope recommends for roofing and Table 2, shows the products BlueScope recommends for walling.

Note these are general guidelines only, do not take into account individual circumstances and may not be applicable in all cases. For industrial locations, it is always recommended that you contact BlueScope for further information.

Roofing for marine environments

COLORBOND® Ultra steel is BlueScope's recommended roofing material for severe marine coastal areas - typically 100 to 200 metres from breaking surf.

SUPERDURA® Stainless steel is BlueScope’s recommended roofing material for very severe marine coastal areas - typically within 100 metres from breaking surf.

Table
Recommended roofing product/s Distance from breaking surf or exposed marine Distance from calm marine
ZINCALUME® steel
COLORBOND® steel in a Metallic finish*
COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel
> 200m > 100m
COLORBOND® steel in a Classic finish
COLORBOND® steel in a Matt finish
> 200m > 0m
COLORBOND® Ultra steel > 100m > 0m
SUPERDURA® Stainless steel > 0m > 0m
  1. Absolute performance is subject to local conditions including, but not limited to, prevailing winds, and presence of unwashed areas.

  2. Distance is as measured from the high water/tide mark.

  3. Table 1 applies to salt marine influences only.  For installations subject to severe or heavy industrial conditions or internal humidity, it is essential to contact Steel Direct (BlueScope) for advice on suitable products.

  4. Definitions and examples of surf, exposed and calm marine are outlined in Technical Bulletin TB-35 - Australian Salt Marine Classifications.

  5. *For commercial applications.

Walling for marine environments

For walling applications, COLORBOND® Ultra steel is BlueScope's recommended product from 500 to 800 metres from breaking surf.

SUPERDURA® Stainless steel is BlueScope's recommended product up to 500 metres from breaking surf.

Table
Recommended walling product/s Distance from breaking surf or exposed marine Distance from calm marine
ZINCALUME® steel
COLORBOND® steel in a Metallic finish*
> 1000m > 1000m
COLORBOND® steel in a Classic finish
COLORBOND® steel in a Matt finish
> 800m > 200m
COLORBOND® Ultra steel > 500m > 100m
SUPERDURA® Stainless steel > 0m > 0m
  1. Absolute performance is subject to local conditions including, but not limited to, prevailing winds, and presence of unwashed areas.

  2. Distance is as measured from the high water/tide mark.

  3. Table 2 applies to salt marine influences only. For installations subject to severe or heavy industrial conditions or internal humidity, it is essential to contact Steel Direct (BlueScope) for advice on suitable products.

  4. Definitions and examples of surf, exposed and calm marine are outlined in Technical Bulletin TB-35 - Australian Salt Marine Classifications.

  5. *For commercial applications.

Acknowledgements

Source
:

BlueScope - updated March 2023