Merchant square bar is made of solid hot-rolled steel manufactured to AS/NZS3679.1:2016 Grade 300, a dual Australian/New Zealand standard that provides assurance as to the shape and strength, shape, integrity and chemistry of the section.

It is a very strong section due to its shape and robust structure. Because of its geometrical shape and solid structure, and the fact that it is solid, it is the heaviest of all the different types of merchant bar. Once square bar has been fabricated, the square shape of the section provides extra resistance to deformation and bending. The corner radius on squares is about 1 mm, which adds even more strength to hold the shape of the section when it is placed under pressure or load.

Square bar is commonly used in both commercial and residential construction. It is also suitable for other industries including transportation, manufacturing, and mining. More general engineering applications include balustrades, ornamental architectural features, and doorframes. It is also commonly used to make security windows and doors.

Steel Billets

Billets, while also hot-rolled and square in section but with a more rounded corner, are also manufactured according to Australian standard, AS1442 – 1040 or grade 1045 as well as to the structural standards AS/NZS3679.1. They are a hot with a higher carbon content than low-carbon mild steel and are used to produce other types of merchant bar as well as tubes, pipes, rods, and wire products. This higher carbon content provides greater strength and machinability for heavier engineering processes and requirements.

Large steel billet sections range from 40 mm to 75 mm and they have a much larger corner radius than merchant square bar. 40 mm sections can be supplied as a square bar or as a billet

Square Bar Products From BlueScope Distribution

All BlueScope Distribution’s square bar steel products are supplied in 6 m lengths. There are seven standard sizes, 10, 12, 16, 19, 20, 25, and 40 mm, all of which have a corner radius that is about 1 mm in size.

Light billets, which are 40 mm in size, are also supplied in 6 m lengths. These are manufactured in accordance with AS1442 – 1040. A greater selection of billets is manufactured in accordance with AS1442 – 1045 including 40, 45, 50, 63, and 75 mm billets.

BlueScope Distribution is a market leader in the steel Distribution industry. In addition to our standard products, we are able to supply steel grades to meet the specialised needs of our customers. We are committed to ensuring that all relevant test certificates are available and that they are 100 per cent compliant with the Australian standards.

Contact us to discuss your square bar and other merchant bar needs. We look forward to meeting your needs within your individual deadlines.

Steel Bar Manufactured to Australian Standards for Steel

All BlueScope Distribution, our merchant bar products are made from carbon steel produced in accordance with AS/NZS3679.1:2016 Structural steel – Part 1: Hot-rolled bars and sections that specifies what is required for the production and supply of structural sections and steel bars (including square bar) that are hot-rolled. Even though these products are intended for structural use, the Standard makes it clear that the carbon steel produced is intended for general engineering and structural applications.

The 50-page Standard has 15 sections and six appendices as well as a bibliography.  The appendices include purchasing guidelines, more information about the conformity of products, and coverage of cold-bending of carbon steel bars, including squares, during fabrication.

AS1442 specifies the requirements for a medium-tensile carbon steel that contains a nominal nominated percentage of carbon and a specific chemistry. Both Grade 1040 and 1045 are strong carbon steels.

These grades are not generally guaranteed to meet specific minimum mechanical properties.

In Australia, this specification is used for both bars and billets by some carbon steel manufacturers. The specifications for chemical composition depend on the type of product being produced. It can be welded using a modified welding process.   This grade of carbon steel is often used to make crankshafts and couplings and machinery.