cortan steel?

[yn]

I'd like to know some informations about CORTAN STEEL.
a. what is this material made of?
b. how does it look like? (with picture/photographs, if any)
c. what are the advantages and disadvantages?
d. what are the applications?

Thanks in advance

 

[StephenA]

Do you mean Corten steel?

If so there are many sites to look at. Use Google.

StephenA

 

[JStephen]

Corten is a US Steel trademark for a weathering steel. Similar steels are available from other suppliers. Check into ASTM A242 and ASTM A588 grades.

What it looks like is rusty steel. The catch is, it won't keep rusting until it's gone like a normal steel would. I recall seeing a big arch bridge in Austin made of the stuff.

Advantages: You don't have to paint it.

Disadvantages: You're stuck with the color that it is. It will put rust stains on anything below it also. Raw material cost is higher than regular steels.

Applications: Bridges, buildings, etc.

Did you have some specific application in mind?

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Disadvantage: not good when exposed to salt

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[HgTX]

It doesn't necessarily have to stain bridge substructure. There is a report available from the Texas Department of Transportation on proper detailing of weathering steel girders to avoid stains (it basically comes down to directing rainwater away from the column surfaces). Contact the Construction Division, Materials & Pavements Section. I don't know if there are ways to detail a weathering steel building to protect surrounding pavement.

Definitely not good when exposed to salt or frequent wetting; you wouldn't want it on a low bridge over a stream.

I've heard that local air quality plays a large part in what color it'll turn--chocolate brown, purplish, orangish. Make sure you blast all the mill scale off visible surfaces or it will look like crap for decades.

There's a slight cost premium on weathering steel plate, but it's generally considered to be made up for in painting costs, especially when you take in lifetime costs--a painted bridge will need repainting every 10-20 years.

Hg