Cor-Ten Steel: Common Uses and Benefits

Steel is an amazing product, with one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios of any metal, and a great price that makes it affordable for almost anyone to use on almost any project. When people think of steel, they often think of the sterile, shiny, silver look of “stainless steel”, but did you know there are actually several different looks that you can have when you build with steel? If you’re looking for a metal that has a slightly different appearance than the stainless steel look, check out weathered steel, most widely known as the trademark brand COR-TEN steel, and sometimes abbreviated as Cor-Ten or Corten steel.

The History of Cor-Ten Steel
Cor-Ten steel was actually developed so it could be used without the need to paint the surface, and for added protection from the effects of weather. The exterior takes on a rust-like appearance that steel might form if it had been exposed to rain and weather for many years. It was originally created and trademarked by the United States Steel Corporation (USS), and while they have since sold their steel plate business, USS continues to sell Cor-Ten steel.

Benefits of Cor-Ten Steel
Whenever metal is exposed to the elements, such as rain, wind, sun, and other atmospheric conditions, it can begin to rust. By weathering the steel in advance, as the Cor-Ten process does, the steel develops a protective layer that actually prevents the corrosion process, prolonging the useful life of the steel.

How it is Used
There are many different ways that this weathering technique can be used, from functional to decorative steel, and you can find these types at suppliers like Wasatch Steel. On the functional side, this process is often used for international shipping containers that will be exposed to the elements often as they travel across the sea and land from one destination to another, as well as railway cars that need to hold up for several decades of travel. It has also been used by engineers on roadways and bridges that will have to withstand many decades of weather and elements.

On the more artistic side, weathered steel has been used for buildings, sculptures, and landscapes. The first architectural use was the John Deere headquarters in Illinois, and some of the most famous architectural uses include the Chicago Picasso sculpture at the Daley Center Courthouse, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK. Many artists looking for a unique hue and strong material for their artwork also use it.

Drawbacks to Cor-Ten Steel
While it is a great option for preserving and prolonging the life of steel, there are some potential negative consequences of using this material. Aesthetically speaking, if you are using welding, the weld points will not weather at the same rate as the steel without using special welding techniques. In addition, the steel is not impermeable to water or rust, so it may not work well in humid environments, and you still must use caution in the design to avoid water accumulate that can damage the metal. Finally, you cannot really paint weathered steel, because the paint negates the protective effects of the weathering.

To find this unique product, check out the selection and talk to the experts at the best steel supplier in Utah, Wasatch Steel.