Corten Steel (Weathering steel) at CutWise

Corten Steel (Weathering Steel)

Metals

Corten Steel, also known as Weathering Steel, is a high-strength low-alloy steel designed to withstand outdoor environments. Unlike conventional carbon steel, Corten Steel develops a dense, rust-colored protective patina that significantly reduces further atmospheric corrosion. This self-protecting surface eliminates the need for painting in many applications while creating the material's distinctive industrial appearance.
At CutWise, we manufacture custom Corten Steel parts, laser-cut Corten Steel sheets, and precision-machined components tailored to your specifications. Whether you require a single prototype or large production volumes, we deliver high-quality parts with fast lead times and reliable dimensional accuracy.

Laser cutting
Milling

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Why Choose Corten Steel?

Forms a protective weather-resistant patina
Excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance
High mechanical strength
Long service life in outdoor environments
Low maintenance and reduced lifecycle costs
Distinctive industrial rust appearance
Excellent material for precision laser cutting
Suitable for structural and decorative applications
Available in various sheet thicknesses

Its combination of durability, strength, and aesthetics makes Corten Steel sheet one of the most widely used materials in architecture, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, machine building, and outdoor engineering projects.

Datasheet Title

Technical properties of Corten Steel

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Product information and operations

Thickness	Dimensions	Laser cutting	Milling	Bending
1 mm	3000x1500 mm
1.5 mm	3000x1500 mm
2 mm	3000x1500 mm
3 mm	3000x1500 mm
4 mm	3000x1500 mm
5 mm	3000x1500 mm
6 mm	3000x1500 mm
8 mm	3000x1500 mm
10 mm	3000x1500 mm
12 mm	3000x1500 mm

Technical properties

General

Material Type Weathering Steel

Material Standards ASTM A242, ASTM A588, EN 10025-5 S355J2W

Density Approx. 7.85 g/cm³

Surface Finish Develops natural rust patina

Mechanical

Tensile Strength Approx. 470–630 MPa

Yield Strength Approx. 345–355 MPa

Hardness Grade dependent

Wear Resistance Good

Electrical

Electrical Conductivity Lower than copper and aluminium

Magnetic Yes

Electrical Insulation No

Thermal

Thermal Conductivity Approx. 50 W/m·K

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Approx. 12 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Fire Resistance Non-combustible

Temperature Range

Service Temperature Application dependent

Outdoor Use Excellent

Frost Resistance Excellent

Applications of Corten Steel

Machine frames and industrial equipment

Architectural façade panels

Building cladding systems

Bridges and civil engineering structures

Protective covers and equipment enclosures

Landscape architecture and street furniture

Transport and automotive components

Energy, offshore, aerospace, and heavy industry components

Made with CutWise

Frequently Asked Questions about Corten Steel

What is Corten Steel?

Corten Steel is a weathering steel that forms a stable protective oxide layer when exposed to outdoor conditions. This natural patina slows corrosion and significantly extends the material's service life without requiring paint or protective coatings in many applications.

What makes Corten Steel different from regular carbon steel?

Unlike mild steel, which continues to rust over time, Corten Steel develops a protective oxide layer that prevents excessive corrosion. This results in lower maintenance costs and a longer lifespan for outdoor structures.

Can CutWise laser cut Corten Steel?

Yes. CutWise specializes in precision laser cutting Corten Steel sheets for industrial, architectural, and engineering applications. We produce accurate custom parts with clean edges and tight tolerances.

Can Corten Steel be CNC machined?

Yes. Besides laser cutting, Corten Steel can also be CNC milled to produce precise holes, slots, contours, and complex geometries required for industrial assemblies.

Does Corten Steel require painting?

In most outdoor applications, painting is unnecessary because the protective patina provides corrosion resistance. However, projects in marine or permanently wet environments may require additional protective treatments.

Does Corten Steel stain surrounding materials?

During the initial weathering period, rainwater may carry rust particles from the surface. Proper drainage design prevents staining of adjacent concrete, stone, or paving materials.

Is Corten Steel suitable for structural applications?

Yes. Corten Steel is widely specified for bridges, buildings, support structures, industrial equipment, and infrastructure thanks to its high strength and weather resistance.

Which industries commonly use Corten Steel?

Corten Steel is extensively used in architecture, construction, machine building, infrastructure, transportation, energy, offshore engineering, and landscape design.