Can Corten Steel be Welded?
How to Weld Weathering Corten Steel?
Weathering steel is low-carbon steel. These steels are made by combining carbon and iron with alloy elements like copper, chromium, silicon, and phosphorous.
First, let's define weathering steel and discuss its welding applications in further detail.
Weathering Steel
Weathering Steel is a type of steel alloy that has a high yield strength potential. Due to its chemical makeup, it is exceptionally resistant to corrosion from air and moisture. An oxide layer (iron oxide or rust) forms on its surface, similar to paint, and protects the metal from further deterioration. Only the exposed parts will corrode. This coating prevents corrosion by preventing rust from penetrating further into the weathering steel.
Weathering steel is also known as Corten steel. Since its creation and invention by U.S. Steel in 1933, the material has been known by the trademark Cor-Ten. Cor-Ten is an acronym for CORrosion-RESistant and TENsile-STRength Alloy. However, it was later standardized as a product by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Corten Steel Uses and Applications
Corten steel is used for both practical and visual appeal reasons 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 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)
Corten Steel Prices
Compared to cheaper grades of steel, Corten is quite pricey. It's available in a wide variety of qualities, forms, and technical requirements. That's why there's a wide range in cost from the supplier to supplier of weathering steel.
Corten steel welding is quite similar to welding on low-carbon steel. Welders only need to take extra care with the filler or electrode, since it behaves differently than mild steel. AWS E7018-W1 is the best welding electrode to use when working with weathering steel. There are two primary considerations when selecting an electrode: strength needs and building regulations.
For many years, the aesthetic and practical qualities of Corten steel have made it the metal of choice. It eliminates corrosion, the material's primary disadvantage. There is currently a substantial pool of qualified welders with the requisite experience and knowledge. As a result, it should be straightforward for welders to employ.
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