Australian standards AS 1074 and AS/NZS 4680 govern distinct stages of engineering, the manufacturing of the substrate and its subsequent environmental protection.
AS 1074 (Steel tubes and tubulars for ordinary service) specifies the physical and chemical requirements for carbon steel pipes intended for low-pressure applications, such as water, gas, and air transport. It classifies tubes into Light, Medium, and Heavy wall thicknesses, defining critical mechanical properties like yield strength and tensile strength. This standard ensures the pipe is structurally sound for threading and bending in general engineering and plumbing.
AS/NZS 4680, Once a tube is manufactured (often to AS 1074), it frequently undergoes Hot-Dip Galvanizing (HDG) as per AS/NZS 4680. This is a "batch" process where fabricated steel is immersed in molten zinc. Unlike continuous galvanizing, this standard requires a much thicker protective layer, typically 85 µm for steel thicker than 6 mm to ensure a long service life in harsh, corrosive Australian environments.