Use of Corten steel in pressure vessel 1

[Plasmech]

Are there any reasons not to use Corten steel on a pressure vessel? Can it be painted/powder coated/zinc plated just like 1020? It's very strong and cheap, seems like a good way to pack extra strength into a vessel almost for free (?)

 

[gr2vessels]

The first reason is that ASME II -D doesn't recognise this material suitable for pressure vessel fabrication. Remember, the goat has four legs and horns, still doesn't qualify for the cow stable.
cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[metengr]

What do you mean on or in a vessel? Steels for use as pressure retaining materials must be endorsed by a recognized code of construction (like ASME B&PV Code). Corten is a steel that is used for structural applications outdoors, and is not pressure vessel quality steel.

 

[metengr]

Remember, the goat has four legs and horns, still doesn't qualify for the cow stable.

gr2vessels
Well done, LOL!!

 

[Plasmech]

Hmmm so if I use Corten instead of 1020 my vessel will blow because Corten is not in the code??? Interesting.

 

[gr2vessels]

Sorry Plasmech,
Every pressure vessel code in the world has developed a set of rules which allow safe and lasting use of the pressure vessels. If the train carriage made of Corten plate has developed a hole on the side, too bad, they'll patch it up. A vessel can be fabricated of Corten, but nobody will guarantee you that it will perform like the "approved" materials, you won't be able to use it on a plant with safety regulations. Would you stay next to it during the hydrotest after being told the vessel cannot be guaranteed to retain pressure? Would you use it on your plant, hoping that it won't hapen today, maybe not even tomorrow...Just look up to the ASME VIII history, takes only 5 minutes reading..
cheers,
gr2vessels

 

[JStephen]

I would assume that for materials to be listed in ASME, there also has to be some degree of demand for them in vessel use; it's not entirely a matter of suitability.

If I remember right, Corten has about the same tensile strength as A516-70, and wouldn't offer any great advantages over it in terms of strength. And unless prices have changed since I last checked, Corten isn't any cheaper, either.

I have heard of paint problems with it, but have no first-hand experience. Perhaps it's harder to get a proper surface profile with it.

 

[deanc]

Plasmech

There is just a little more to the whole affair.

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/DANotes/pressVessels/intro/intro.html

1210.....but will give you the general idea.

Corten works really good for Railroad Coal Cars and so forth. If you look up the ASTM spec. A-588 and you will see why it is not PVQ.

 

[PAN]

I understand that the steel for structural grade may be used for pressure vessel. However, this should be low pressure. I remember that I used to see JIS SS400 steel which was fabricated as pressure vessel. It has been used for over 20 years witout any problem.

The detail design and inspection program should be major concerned.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Before you get all lathered up over Cor-ten's numbers, you need to get a piece of it and try to fabricate something, personally.

In particular, it drills and bends and shears and punches like it's full of hard little rocks. Which I think is kind of a redneck description of its microstructure. Doesn't sound like pressure vessel material to me.

Also note that it's specifically intended to go unpainted, and is not at all resistant to pinhole corrosion under paint.

And it's normally delivered with a tough, adherent mill scale that doesn't make a good basis for paint or welding and is difficult to remove.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[rmw]

I worked for a company that used Cor-ten to fabricate low pressure PV's used in salt water desalination. They thought they had found the cat's meow. I didn't wait around long enough to see them corrode, so I don't know how it turned out. I do remember that cutting and welding was strange, but not insurmountable.

rmw

 

[arto]

If I remember rightly, A-517 & A-514 are very similar to Cor Ten? It was P-11, (i.e., not plain old P-1 carbon steel) so it req'd special weld procedures.