

Heavy-duty transport is a perfect match for SSAB Weathering and COR-TEN® steels. Railway rolling stock and shipping containers are exposed to extreme conditions that can vary immensely within a few hours of travel, be it rain, sun, wind or snow. This changing climate is ideal for weathering steels that require changeable wet and dry conditions in order for the oxidation process to take place and provide the unique hard-wearing patina layer of protective rust.
Additionally, SSAB Weathering steels do not retain moisture – which promotes corrosion – in the way that conventional steel does, meaning freight transport made from them has a longer life.
Patina layer on the steel surface of weathering steels is adherent and resists cyclical corrosion loss. During first years of the patination process the corrosion speed is close to that of normal carbon steel.
Patina formation is dependent on the atmospheric conditions. In rural areas, both COR-TEN A and COR-TEN B provide notable decrease in corrosion rate as compared to ordinary carbon steel S355. In industrial areas, COR-TEN A provides best resistance against corrosion due to the phosphorus alloying.
With most bridge and structure materials you do not get a choice, they either have to be painted, such as conventional steel, or they should be left untreated such as concrete. However, with SSAB Weathering and COR-TEN® steels both options work.
When painting, you can rely on good paint adhesion thanks to the steel texture. The hard-wearing properties of the steel also provide a “self-healing effect” that minimizes corrosion creepage.
Additionally, porous expanding rust is not an issue in SSAB Weathering steel structures – as is the case for carbon steel. All in all these factors mean that the useful life of paint on weathering steel is twice that of paint on conventional steel. As a rule of thumb, you need to paint a conventional steel bridge twice as often as a bridge made from SSAB Weathering steel. This also means that painted weathering steel looks better for longer.
SSAB Weathering and COR-TEN® steel grades are delivered from stock locations or directly from the mill. Smaller quantities for testing are also available.
Call or send an email to inquire about prices and how to order SSAB Weathering and COR-TEN® corrosion-resistant steel.