In the early 20 century, some progressive foreign artists applied metals to statue creation. Since the corrosion of steel is just a natural phenomenon that is fully compliant with art expression, as time passes, steel has become one of the most important materials in landscape design. Normal steel will be broken after corrosion, so the appearance of weathering steel gives more chances to designers to make full use of steel in art creation.
What should you know about weathering steel?
Also known as corten steel, weathering steel is a series of low-alloy steels between general steel and stainless steel, with the addition of corrosion resistance elements such as copper, nickel, corten steel has the characteristics of toughness, plastic extension, molding, welding, and cutting, corrosion, high temperature, fatigue resistance and so on.
1. History of weathering steel
In early times, weathering steel originated from North America, and was more often used in fields like architecture, watercraft, railway. Japan began research on weathering steel in 1955. In 1967, corten steel was used in bridge construction. China's research on weathering steel began in 1960. The section of the Wuhan branch of the Beijing-Guangzhou Line opened to traffic in October 1992. It is the first atmospheric corrosion-resistant bridge steel developed in China. Although China's research on weathering steel is not very early,
it also has a long history. At present, China has become a big producer and exporter of weathering steel.
2. Principles of weathering resistance
In a natural climate, the corten steel can form a dense oxide layer. Due to the existence of the dense oxide film, oxygen and water in the atmosphere can be prevented from infiltrating into the steel, thus improving its atmospheric corrosion resistance, which is about 2~5 times of ordinary carbon steel.
Characteristics of weathering steel
· Rust resistance, and corrosion resistance, with 4-8 times atmospheric corrosion resistance higher than ordinary steel;
· Materials can be recycled, with very low carbon environmental protection;
· Long service life, lower thinness, and consumption, which can save labor and energy;
· Green material, environmental protection, It can reduce the use of fireproof coating and fireproof coating, thus reducing pollution, shortening the construction period, reducing cost, and reducing maintenance, is a kind of "green", sustainable development of economical steel.
How is weathering steel applied in modern design?
With the development of the times, weathering steel begin to become popular in the design field, not only in architecture but also in outdoor landscape decoration such as corten steel screens, corten sculptures, signs, corten planter boxes, corten water features, etc.