

The main concern most people have about corten steels is their durability.

Those who live in conditions where atmospheric corrosion is more likely (due to environmental conditions) can allow the corten steel to reach the rust color they desire, then apply sealing materials to help the structure maintain not only the right color but integrity as well. But in smaller amounts, corten steel material in the right environmental conditions is non-toxic.Īs the rust layer develops, the tensile strength of the COR-TEN B weathered steel becomes stronger and more corrosion resistant. So large amounts of corten A may have a chemical composition that is detrimental to the environment. Another thing to note about this study is that it took place on the facade of a large building over several years of exposure. Note these studies are not relevant to corten B steel or Redcor, and Birdies beds are made of Redcor.

The protective patina that develops on the steel is useful in this way.īut there are architectural studies that suggest corten A steel could be an environmental contaminant in large amounts, in conditions that speed the corrosion process. The protective layer of rust that develops on weathering steels is safe for plants, not only because the amount of iron, manganese, copper, and nickel are non-toxic, but also because these micronutrients are important for growing healthy plants. Let’s examine the topic of rust in corten steel more closely. The Rust Process Corten may cause staining on concrete as seen in this image. The amount of iron-oxide released into the soil during the rust process is non-toxic and will not disadvantageously affect plants. There are other slight variations between the chemical compositions of the two types of weathering steel, but one important thing to note is Corten A is not used in the development of Birdies corten steel planters.Īn interesting part of the development of these planters is they’re completely safe for growing food. Corten B is weathered steel that does not have this addition and is better for large structures. They’re mostly the same material, but Corten A or the original COR-TEN received the addition of phosphorus, making it more useful for building facades and gas flues. Let’s also discuss the differences between corten A steel and corten B steel. This cold roll helps stabilize the chemical composition as the sheet forms, keeping it more uniform from product to product. Redcor is a type of corten steel but is cold-rolled instead of hot-rolled. COR-TEN refers to a hot-rolled steel alloy that is used in the railroad and shipping industries. Difference Between Corten and RedcorĪn association that deserves some explanation is the difference between corten steel and redcor. The metals that compose corten steel are copper, chromium, manganese, and nickel. Newer ASTM grades for corten B steel have the same properties but have received standard designations that indicate it can be manufactured and used in a thin sheet. The original COR-TEN A received the standard designation for low-alloy, high-strength, and high corrosion resistance from the American Society for Testing and Materials. In fact, corten steel is highly resistant to corrosion and is used in notable architectural projects like the Broadcasting Tower in Leeds, United Kingdom. While most people have a negative association with rust, in this case, it’s what is needed to develop the right look and seal, developing a layer protecting the rest of the material from corroding over time. As the surface develops it changes color over time, beginning with a red-orange hue, and ending with a purplish patina. What is Corten Steel? Corten steel is used in architecture, but is it garden-safe? Source: PROTEUSĬorten steel is a type of chromium-copper alloy weathering steel that relies on a wet/dry cycle to build up a protective layer of rust. So if you’re wondering if corten steel is right for you, read through this piece! Then we’ll talk about corten steel planters and the best practices associated with them. We’ll touch on what corten steel is, and touch on the topics of rust and corroding. In this piece, we’ll discuss this very topic. While those concerns aren’t unfounded unless there is associated atmospheric corrosion – which we’ll get to later in this piece – the mechanical properties of COR-TEN steel alloys make beds made of this material excellent for growing plants in most weather. Naturally, people have concerns about corten steel and weathering steel in general. Because it is a kind of weathering steel, it has a protective layer of corrosion-resistant patina that gives it versatility along with desirable aesthetic qualities. Difference Between Corten A and Corten BĬorten steel has increasingly been employed as a viable material for home gardening and commercial landscaping in recent years.
