Corten Steel Properties
In this blog, we’ll explore the key properties of Corten steel and discuss why it’s an excellent choice for various applications. Its better corrosion resistance, strong tensile strength, and cost-effectiveness over the long haul make it a highly desirable material for a wide range of projects.
Corten steel, also known as weathering steel, is mainly used in construction and the artistic industry due to its unique properties. Originally discovered by coal wagon producers in the United States, who noticed its ability to develop a protective layer of rust that guards against further corrosion, Corten steel material is most popular among architects due to its enduring, earthy patina. This distinctive steel alloy has been refined over time to enhance its strength and durability, making it a preferred choice in contemporary architecture and sculpture.
Corten Steel Properties
Corten steel naturally undergoes a chemical process that creates a new surface composition that offers more atmospheric corrosion protection than other steels can provide.
Corten steel also provides the following properties:
- Paint Durability— While many manufacturers prefer Corten’s rustic look as it is, it can be painted in the same manner other steels are painted in, but it requires a less frequent repainting cycle due to its lower rust rate.
- Weldability—Since it has a low carbon content, the steel remains pliable enough for welding.
- Workability—Corten steel can be cold-formed, hot-formed, and gas-cut, making it easy to work with no matter what the project requirements are.
- Reliability—It displays 2-8 times more anti-corrosive resistance than regular steel, is 1 ½ – 10 times more paintable than common carbon steel, and has a tensile strength of no less than 445 MPa, making it a high-performance, long-lasting material for steel parts.
| Property | Description | Value or % |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | High and can withstand significant stress without deformation | 470 – 630 MPa |
| Yield strength | Strong and can maintain structural integrity and its original shape under stress | 310 – 345 MPa |
| Elongation | Excellent and forms an external oxidized layer or patina to protect from rust and corrosion | 6 – 12 months for the initial layer of patina |
| Corrosion resistance | High and allows the steel to stretch without breakage | ~20% |
Explore Corten Steel Properties—Perfect for Projects That Need Strength and Style.
Corten Steel refers to the chemical composition of corten steel, allowing it to exhibit increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion compared to other steels.
The corrosion-retarding effect of the protective layer is produced by the particular distribution and concentration of alloying elements in it. It still needs to be determined how exactly the patina formation differs from usual rusting, but it’s established that drying of the wetted surface is necessary and that copper is the most important alloying element.
| Grade | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Cu | V | Ni |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A242 | 0.12 | 0.25–0.75 | 0.20–0.50 | 0.01–0.20 | 0.030 | 0.50–1.25 | 0.25–0.55 | 0.65 | |
| ASTM A588 | 0.16 | 0.30–0.50 | 0.80–1.25 | 0.030 | 0.030 | 0.40–0.65 | 0.25–0.40 | 0.02–0.10 | 0.40 |
Corten Steel Physical Properties
| Weather Resistant Steel | Standard | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation in 2 inches (min.) % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CORTEN A | US Steel | 470 – 630 | 355 | 20 |
| IRSM 41-97 | Indian Railways | 480 min | 340 min | 21 |
| ASTM A 588 | ASTM | 485 min | 345 min | 21 |
Corten Steel Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of Corten Steel are based on the thickness and the alloy being used. Depending on the grade of weathering steel.
Corten Steel Equivalent Material
| Grade | Thickness (mm) Strip Products | Plate Products | Yield Strength Rel N/mm² Minimum | Tensile Strength Rm N/mm² Minimum | Elongation A50 % Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corten A | 2-12 | 6-12 | 345 | 485 | 20 |
How is Corten Steel Made?
The corten steel manufacturing process begins with a blending of three primary plates of steel—copper, chromium, and nickel—along with other alloying elements like phosphorus, silicon, and manganese.
Very little carbon is used during the mixing process—less than 0.2-0.3 percent—to ensure pliability, strength, and toughness.
Combining these specific metals and elements results in a 1/4th inch thick sheet that is ductile enough to be formed into almost any desired shape.
The real magic of the corten steel process, however, occurs after the initial mixing takes place and during its natural weathering cycle.
Advantages of Corten Steel
- Longevity: It is strong, durable, and lasts for years, making it cost-effective in the long run
- Low on maintenance: Once installed, minimum investment is required to upkeep the structure due to its self-protective oxide layer
- Aesthetic appeal: A naturally rustic look that’s striking and poses an industrial contrast to natural landscapes
- Easy to weld and give shape: Its high tensile strength and weldability allow for it to be shaped into diverse shapes (e.g., architectural, infrastructural, light, and heavy-load projects)
- Sustainable: Is easily recyclable making it an eco-friendly material to work
Corten Steel Applications
The corten steel is used for various types of welded, bolted, and riveted constructions e.g. steel frame structures, bridges, tanks and containers, exhaust systems, vehicles, and equipment constructions.
Conclusion
FAQ’s
Corten steel is durable, low maintenance, and has a high tensile strength. It’s also resistant to corrosion and can be used in a variety of architectural and structural applications.
Corten A is lower in carbon, manganese, and silicon, and is often used for outdoor sculptures and aesthetic fascias. Corten B has more carbon than manganese and is often used for heavy-duty structures.
Corten steel is designed to rust and form a protective layer called a patina. This patina is less porous than the rust that forms on other steels, and it protects the steel from further corrosion.
Yes, Corten steel is heat resistant and maintains stability in moderate to high temperatures, making it suitable for outdoor and fluctuating temperature conditions. However, it’s not ideal for extremely high-heat environments like furnaces.
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Corten Steel Tube is a leading supplier of high-quality Corten steel products in India. We offer a wide range of Corten steel sheets, plates, and custom sizes, supported by cutting-edge fabrication and processing services to meet your project needs.
