Things you may not know about CorTen steel
COR-TEN FINISH
The intense richness of a Cor-Ten finish bestows a warm, natural, yet at the same time extremely elegant look. Its distinctive appearance is a result of an oxidation process which forms a protective patina that remains unchanged over the years. Brombal would like to share five facts about our Cor-Ten Steel material that you may have not known.
Cor-Ten Steel is Thermally Broken
Like all materials we offer at Brombal, our Cor-Ten Steel is a thermally broken material. EBE and OS2 thermally broken sections are bonded together using two materials: the first is a fiberglass reinforced extrusion and the second is a high-density polyurethane resin injected under high pressure. This process firmly joins the frame sections together, ensures a continuous bond, and provides thermal insulation while maximizing structural strength.
Cor-Ten is Weathered Steel
What gives Cor-Ten its aged, rustic look? Cor-Ten Steel is created when the steel forms a layer of rust, protecting the material against moisture, and slowing the corrosion process. Although the material may be just a couple months old, it can appear decades old. An example of Cor-Ten in use is the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY with a Cor-Ten exterior. Over 12,000 pieces of steel were weathered at a plant in Indiana, and then put through multiple wet-and-dry cycles each day to give that rustic look. In just a few short months, the Cor-Ten on the Barclays Center has the same weathered steel that would naturally take 6 years to achieve.
What’s In the Name?
Cor-Ten Steel is a high tensile strength, corrosion resistant, steel alloy, containing copper, chromium, and phosphorus. The name (Cor-Ten) reflects the special properties of this alloy: corrosion resistance (Cor) and high tensile strength (Ten). These properties make Cor-Ten Steel particularly suitable for use in any environment.
Cor-Ten Contains A Protective Rust Layer
During the transformation of Cor-Ten, the large rolls of Cor-Ten Steel are cut to the required width and rolled to the specific profile section. Upon exposure to air, the patina process begins which creates a protective layer of rust over the surface. Left untreated, the rust will create an ever changing appearance. A surface wax treatment can be applied which will stop the continued rusting and will provide a protective barrier against the elements.
Originally published at https://discoverbrombal.com on April 29, 2019.
