Weathering steel belongs to the group of low carbon steels. The alloy elements like copper, chromium, silicon and phosphorous in these steels are mixed with carbon and iron atoms.
Let’s tell you more about what is weathering steel and how you can use it in welding.
Weathering steel refers to a type of steel alloy with superior yield strength capability. Its chemical composition makes it highly resistant to corrosion caused by weather and atmospheric conditions such as air and moisture. It develops a paint-like, protective oxide layer (iron oxide or rust) called ‘patina’ on its surface which makes it corrosion-resistant. It will form rust only on the outer surface. This surface layer doesn’t allow the rust to penetrate deeper into the weathering steel and thereby, protects against corrosion.
Weathering steel is also known as corten steel. It was registered under the trademark Cor-Ten which was originally developed and patented by U.S. Steel in 1933. Cor-Ten gets its name from two words – CORrosion Resistance and TENsile Strength. However, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standardised it as a product later.
Corten Steel Uses and Applications
Corten steel is used for both practical and visual appeal reason in the following applications:
Engineering projects
Architectural projects
Construction of buildings and bridges
Outdoor sculptures
Marine transportation
Roofs and walls
Cycle hoops
Planters
Tree grilles
Corten Steel Texture
The texture of corten steel is rusty with an orangish-brown shade. Due to corten steel texture seamless, it often gives an aesthetic finish to the product or application wherever it is used. Welders can apply it seamlessly without worrying about mixing the right proportions of various chemicals to get a rusty appearance.
Corten Steel Properties
Corten steel has the following properties:
Anti-corrosive
Robust metal
Ductile
High structural strength
Lightweight
Attractive appearance
Minimal upkeep
Corten Steel Specification
The primary trademark product is COR-TEN. However, ASTM has also laid down specifications as under:
A588 (structural weathering steel panels, shapes, plates and bar)
A242 (steel plate through 1.5 inches in thickness)
A606-4 (corten steel sheet and coil)
A847 (tube and pipe)
A871-65 (steel plate with a minimum yield strength of 65ksi)
A709-50W (steel plate for construction of bridges)
The weathering steel grades are available as corten A and corten B. For example, A242 is corten A and A588 is corten B.
Corten Steel Prices
Corten is an expensive metal as compared to other grades of steel. It comes in different grades, properties and specifications. Hence, the prices vary from one weathering steel manufacturer to another.
Welding on steel that is corten is relatively as similar as low carbon steel. The only precaution the welders need to take is regarding the filler or electrode which is different from mild steel. When it comes to choosing a welding electrode for weathering steel, AWS E7018 is most suitable. The choice of electrode depends on two factors - required strength and code requirements.
Corten steel has been the most widely-used metal for decades owing to its look and benefits. It overcomes rust, which is the major drawback associated with steel. The necessary expertise and experience in welding already exist. Hence, welders should be able to use it without any hassles.
28 March 2024 | Welding
5 Types of Welding Methods & Their Usage28 March 2024 | Welding
How to choose the right welding rod?28 March 2024 | Welding
Seven Wonders of the Welding World28 March 2024 | Welding
Guidelines & Tips For Welding Safety28 March 2024 | Welding
How D&H Secheron helped the construction of Bogibeel Bridge28 March 2024 | Welding
Types of Welding in Shipbuilding Industry28 March 2024 | Welding
Mumbai Metro (Charkop-Bandra-Mankhurd corridor)28 March 2024 | Welding
A Guide To Understanding LoTherme Welding Electrode28 March 2024 | Welding
Pros & Cons: Shielded Metal Arc Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
Learn Importance Of Welding Education28 March 2024 | Welding
Applications of MIG Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
Why Welding Stainless Steel Is Difficult?28 March 2024 | Welding
Accomplishments Of D&H Sécheron In The World Of Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
Specification & Applications for Norma range28 March 2024 | Welding
The history of welding from medieval ages to modern age28 March 2024 | Welding
Easy Guide To Understand Hardfacing Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
Most Dangerous Profession: Underwater Welding By D&H Secheron28 March 2024 | Welding
Understand Importance of the Welding Industry28 March 2024 | Welding
Supratherme: Types & Application28 March 2024 | Welding
An Overview Of Old And New Welding Techniques28 March 2024 | Welding
Industries Where Welding Is Commonly Used28 March 2024 | Welding
What are Fatigue failures in welded structures?28 March 2024 | Welding
E6013 Welding Rod: Specification, Settings, Polarity, and Amps28 March 2024 | Welding
Guidelines to Understand Gas Welding: Applications, Advantages & Disadvantages28 March 2024 | Welding
3 Tips for Finding the Best Mild Steel Electrode for Your Application28 March 2024 | Welding
A Complete Guide to Choosing a Flux Cored Wire28 March 2024 | Welding
Resolve Wear Factors Using Effective Hardfacing Electrodes28 March 2024 | Welding
Guidelines to Achieve Quality weld over Cast Iron Weld28 March 2024 | Welding
Welding Tips & Guidelines for Nickel Electrodes28 March 2024 | Welding
8 Types of Materials Used for Various Metal Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
How to Select the Right Welding Filler Wires for Stainless Steel Welding?28 March 2024 | Welding
SMAW: Guidelines, Advice, and Troubleshooting Tips for Beginners28 March 2024 | Welding
Understanding Carbon and Low Alloy Steel in Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
Roles of Flux Ingredients in MMAW28 March 2024 | Welding
Different Types of MIG Welding Wire28 March 2024 | Welding
Building the Narendra Modi Stadium with Norma V and Autotherme-1 Electrodes28 March 2024 | Welding
Welding of Ferritic Stainless Steels28 March 2024 | Welding
Preheating & Interpass Temperature: Effects on Properties28 March 2024 | Welding
How Welding Provided Strength to the Sardar Sarovar Dam?28 March 2024 | Welding
Low Alloy Steel Welding in a (PEB) Pre Engineered Building Structure28 March 2024 | Welding
Low Hydrogen Electrodes and Their Storing and Baking Procedure28 March 2024 | Welding
What is a Welding Filler Metal, Types & Examples28 March 2024 | Welding
5 Major Types of Welding Joints and their Uses28 March 2024 | Welding
Understanding Welding Symbols & Diagrams28 March 2024 | Welding
Guide to Duplex Stainless Steel Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
Mastering Stick Welding: 5 Expert Tips for Perfect SMAW Technique28 March 2024 | Welding
Welding Flux: A Shielding Agent between two materials28 March 2024 | Welding
Welding Fundamentals: Types & Tools | Start Confidently28 March 2024 | Welding
Pune Metro project from Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar through DBFOT28 March 2024 | Welding
What is Butt Weld Joint? Types, Advantages and its uses28 March 2024 | Welding
Arc Welding vs. Gas Welding: Key Differences - D&H Secheron28 March 2024 | Welding
Welding Basics: Joining Metals with Heat and Pressure - A Beginners Guide28 March 2024 | Welding
Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (MTHL): Bridging Mumbai and Navi Mumbai28 March 2024 | Welding
Forehand vs. Backhand Welding Techniques: Choosing the Right Method28 March 2024 | Welding
Creep-Resistant Steels: Heat Treatment Excellence by D&H Secheron28 March 2024 | Welding
Welding Innovations to Improve Manufacturing Productivity & Quality28 March 2024 | Welding
Implementation of 96.3 CBM Sarambala medium irrigation scheme at Sawantwadi in Sindhudurg28 March 2024 | Welding
Essential Guide to Welding for Beginners: Tools and Types28 March 2024 | Welding
Key Considerations When Choosing the Correct Gas for MIG Welding28 March 2024 | Welding
SMAW welding tips: How to avoid common defects28 March 2024 | Welding
Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Shivaji Memorial