BlueScope Distribution offers a comprehensive selection of aluminium products throughout Australia, making us one of the leading aluminium suppliers in the country.
Our product range includes sheet and coil products, plate, treadplate, both geometric and customer-exclusive extrusions, as well as the full range of standard aluminium products. Available in a range of alloys and tempers, we supply a broad range of industries including automotive, transportation, marine, construction, and general engineering and fabrication.
Aluminium has many advantages including the fact that it is lightweight, strong, and generally resistant to corrosion. In addition to being formable and relatively easy to weld, it is readily available and 95% recyclable.
While we are aluminium suppliers, we also offer a wide variety of pre-production processing services that will enhance our customers’ productivity and profitability. These include marking, drilling, shearing and blanking, slitting, sawing, router and laser cutting, and guillotining of both plate and sheet aluminium.
BlueScope Distribution’s aluminium catalogue lists 10 grades in total and specifies suitability for welding, machining, and other common applications. They are all 5xxx and 6xxx series alloys:
Both alloys have good mechanical properties and have exceptionally good resistance to corrosion because the percentage of magnesium used is very low. They are also ideal for anodising.
While these alloys have average machinability, they are perfect for welding. If structural welds are required, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) are generally recommended.
Alloys 6063 and 6060 are versatile metals and may be used for anything from electrical components to architectural applications including window and door frames, as well as lighting, furniture, railings, and fences.
Commonly used in transport-related industries, it offers medium fatigue strength. It is also used to manufacture frames for trucks and bull bars, and is suitable for marine and other structures.
Because this alloy can be extruded to create intricate shapes and its surface-finish properties are so good, it is commonly used for structural architectural products.
Unlike the previous alloys mentioned, 6106 also has good machinability which adds to its versatility.
Commonly used for general purpose light structural applications, this alloy is ideal for relatively intricate products that might require some degree of welding and forming while maintaining a superior surface finish. It is often used to manufacture ladders, pylons, balustrade posts, and both automotive and marine structures.
On the downside, 6082 has limited capabilities for extrusion and its surface finish is not as good as 6005A and 6106.
Mostly used in the marine and road niche of the transportation industry, 6082 is becoming increasingly popular for civil engineering and construction. Products made from this category aluminium alloy include truck bodies, boats, automotive components, bridges, and roof trusses for different types of buildings.
Suitable for forming and welding of all types, 5005 doesn’t machine well.
This alloy is commonly used for general fabrication and is very versatile. Typical products manufactured using 5005 are transport and architectural products, as well as signage.
Alloy 5251 is commonly offered as an alternative to 5052 because their composition and properties are similar.
These alloys are excellent for all common types of welding processes as well as fabrication, particularly when sheet or coil is used. However, they both have poor machinability.
Alloy 5052 and 5251 are versatile products and are used for products that range from signs and architectural flashings to furniture and food processing items. They are also used in the marine and transportation industries.
Common uses include pressure vessels, drilling rigs, ships, rail cars, and truck bodies. It is also used in a range of civil structural applications.
BlueScope Distribution also sources a wide variety of extruded and rolled aluminium products. All our products comply with the relevant Australian standards.