Corten steel plate is a great construction material. It is strong and needs little maintenance. The rust patina protects against corrosion. Taking care of it helps the steel and patina last longer.
Maintenance is crucial when settling in because the rust layer becomes active and stabilizes. To keep weathering steel plate in good condition for a long time, it’s important to know how to prepare, facilitate, and maintain the protective rust coating.
This article gives tips for maintaining corten steel. It covers preparation, speeding up weathering, avoiding contact, repairing, and reapplying. Follow these core tenets to maximize natural rust layer durability.
1. Prepare Surfaces
Proper surface preparation lays the foundation for consistent, rapid, protective patina development. Evaluate steel for contamination like oil or grease residues. Clean vigorously using degreasing agents if present. Grind flat corten steel pipe to improve adhesion. Seal off cut tube or pipe ends with approved lacquer. Mask areas not intended to weather. Taking this vital first step helps initiate the self-healing rust layer properly.
2. Accelerate Early Weathering
While natural rainfall and humidity activate the rusting process in corten steel pipe, the initial settlement period stretches from 6 months to 2 years before achieving full protection. Employing accelerated exposure techniques where climate lacks reliable wet weather shortens this timeframe. Frequent water spraying, high humidity chambers, salt fog generators, and beachside exposures speed activation for projects on tight timelines.
3. Avoid Contact Hazards
Once the patina forms, prevent contact damage that could disrupt the protective coating. Stack flat-packed weathering steel using slip sheets. Pad lifting slings and transportation dunnage. Identify contact points for installed assemblies, using padding to avert abrasions during normal use that might deteriorate the rust layer over time. Periodically inspect for wear concerns.
4. Touch Up Damage
Minor damage may still occur despite best efforts. Repair localized spots of missing patina using approved corten revival paints matching original hues. Brush coats act as temporary replacements awaiting natural re-activation of the organic rust layer in the repaired zone. More severe steel damage may warrant steel renewal using weathering steel weldments.
5. Reapply Fresh Patina
Over decades, wear may thin rust layers, necessitating restoration, especially on high-contact components like the S355J2W+N Plate. Mechanical abrasion restarts the corrosion cycle when fading or section loss is detected. Wire brushing exposes fresh steel for reactive patina reformation better than chemical stripping. Enable nature’s self-healing properties through selective re-weathering of tired steel surfaces.
Conclusion
Corten steel is advertised as “low maintenance”, but it still needs proper care, especially when it’s weathering. To keep rustic weathering steel projects in good condition, follow these practices: prepare well, speed up weathering, protect from contact, repair when needed, and restore as necessary. Ridhi Siddhi Steels is among the best corten steel suppliers. They have a lot of knowledge about corten steel and can help you choose the right type and process it correctly. Their solutions are designed to last for many years with little maintenance. This way, the steel will keep its appearance and strength.
