Form · Sizes pending
Metallic — indicative fig. M·81
Fire A1 Non-combustibleEmbodied carbon 15kgCO₂e/kg HighCompressive 350MPa StructuralDesign life 50yr
Cold-formed structural steel hollow sections to AS/NZS 1163 with 350 MPa minimum yield strength, providing excellent strength-to-weight ratio for structural applications in Australian construction
01 Physical
Density 7850kg/m³
Specific gravity 7.85
Porosity 0%
Water absorption 0%
Hardness 150
UV resistance High
Chemical resistance Moderate
pH tolerance 4-10
Surface roughness 3.2µm
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 430MPa
Compressive strength 350MPa
Flexural strength 350MPa
Shear strength 200MPa
Poisson's ratio 0.3
Impact resistance 27
Creep resistance Negligible below 400°C
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity 45W/m·K
Specific heat 450J/kg·K
Thermal expansion 11.7×10⁻⁶/°C
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Combustibility class Non-combustible
Fire resistance level 0/-/- unprotected; up to 240/-/- with intumescent coating
Flame spread index 0
Smoke dev. index 0
Heat release rate 0
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon 14.5
Carbon footprint 1.85
Embodied energy 25MJ/kg
Water footprint 28L/kg
Recyclability 100%
Recycled content 25%
Renewable content 0%
Circular score 85
VOC emissions 0
Toxicity rating Non-toxic
LEED contribution 2
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 50-100
Maintenance interval 5-10
Warranty period 10-25
Material cost (range) 1800-2500
Material cost (per unit) 15-45
Lead time 1-3 days ex-stock, 2-4 weeks fabricated
Lifecycle cost Competitive over 50+ year design life
Annual maintenance 2-5
Market availability Readily available
07 Assessment
Advantages
- High strength-to-weight ratio optimising structural efficiency
- Excellent torsional rigidity and buckling resistance
- Suitable for welding with standard procedures
- Consistent mechanical properties through cold-forming process
- 100% recyclable with established recycling infrastructure
- Available in dual-grade options (C350/C450) for design flexibility
- Compatible with all standard connection methods
- Aesthetic appeal for architectural exposed applications
- Lower embodied carbon than concrete alternatives
Constraints
- Requires fire protection for rated assemblies
- Susceptible to corrosion without protective coatings
- Thermal bridging in building envelope applications
- Higher initial cost than timber alternatives
- Limited availability of very large sections
- Requires skilled labour for complex connections
- Cold-forming limits to maximum wall thickness
- Potential for galvanic corrosion with dissimilar metals
08 Applications
A1 Structural frames in commercial and industrial buildings
A2 Column and beam applications in multi-storey construction
A3 Roof trusses and portal frames
A4 Architectural features and exposed structural elements
A5 Seismic bracing systems
A6 Bridge and infrastructure components
A7 Temporary structures and scaffolding systems
A8 Agricultural and mining equipment frames
A9 Bollards and protective barriers
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.