For a weather-resistant and rust-resistant folded steel plate, the best material options are stainless steel (specifically grades 304 or 316) and weathering steel (commonly known as Corten steel), and galvanized steel.
Top Material Options
| Material | Rust Resistance | Weather Resistance | Aesthetics | Formability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Excellent (does not rust in most conditions) | Superior (especially grade 316 in coastal/harsh environments) | Sleek, modern, polished finish; maintains appearance | Good (can be cold worked, but requires specific welding techniques) |
| Corten Steel | Very Good (forms a stable protective rust patina) | Excellent (designed for outdoor exposure with minimal maintenance) | Unique, rustic, earthy brown/orange patina that evolves over time | Good (similar workability to regular mild steel) |
| Galvanized Steel | Good (zinc coating protects underlying steel) | Very good (durable in rain, snow, UV exposure) | Uniform, industrial, silvery-gray finish | Good (can be folded, but ensure cut edges are sealed or painted for best protection) |
Key Considerations
Stainless Steel: The best choice for superior corrosion resistance and a clean, modern look without any rust formation. Grade 316 is recommended for harsh environments like coastal areas where salt is present. It can be folded, but may be more expensive.
Corten Steel: Ideal if you want a low-maintenance material with a unique, rustic appearance. The controlled rusting process forms a protective layer (patina) that prevents further degradation. It is well-suited for architectural and structural applications, as long as it experiences alternating wet and dry cycles (not ideal for constant submersion or heavy salt spray environments).
Galvanized Steel: A cost-effective option for good weather resistance. The zinc coating acts as a sacrificial layer, corroding before the steel does. It is widely used for roofing, fencing, and structural components. For folded applications, cut edges may need sealing to maintain full protection.
Perforated Corten Steelfence As Drawing
What is a Corten steel?
Corten Steel (sometimes known as weathered steel) is a group of steel alloys that are often used in outdoor construction. Corten Steel was designed to eliminate the need for painting and if left outside, exposed to the elements, they will develop a rusted appearance in just a few months.
The applicable equivalent ASTM specifications for weathering steel are ASTM A588, ASTM A242, ASTM A606-4, ASTM A847 and ASTM A709-50W, other standards JIS G3125, JIS G3114, EN10025 and GB/T4171. GNEE STEEL supplies various products including, steel sheet, steel coil, steel plate, steel flats, angles, channels.
Corten steel is invented and named by US steel as brand name of corrosion resistant steel product, it is now being produced by many other steel mills, GNEE STEEL can supply best corten steel product with guaranteed high quality.
Corten A and Corten B are 2 prevalent steel grades, corten steel has equivalent steel grades in ASTM steel grades: Corten A for ASTM A242 and Corten B for ASTM A588 Grade A. Steel product requirements for both corten A and B can meet ASTM A606 Type 4.
Weathering Steel Product Specifications and Dimension Range:
| Weathering Steel Product | Steel Grade | Available Dimension | Steel Standard | |
| Steel Coil | Heavy Plate | |||
| Weathering Steel Plate/Coilfor Welding | Q235NH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | GB/T 4171-2008 or according to technical protocol |
| Q295NH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| Q355NH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| Q460NH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| Q550NH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| High-performance Weathering Steel Plate/Coil | Q295GNH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | ||
| Q355GNH | 1.5-19*800-1600 | |||
| (ASTM)Hot-rolled and Cold-rolled Steel Sheet and Strip | A606M | 1.2-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3250 | ASTM A606M-2009 or according to technical protocol |
| (ASTM)Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance of High Strength Low Alloy Steel Plate | A871M Gr60A871M Gr65 | 1.2-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3250 | ASTM A871M-97 or according to technical protocol |
| (ASTM)Carbon Steel Plate and Low Alloy High Strength Structural Bridge Steel Plate | A709M HPS50W | 1.2-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3250 | ASTM A709M-2007 or according to technical protocol |
| (ASTM)Low-Alloy High-Tensile Structural Steel Plate/Coil | A242M GrAA242M GrBA242M GrCA242M GrD | 1.2-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3250 | ASTM A242M-03a or according to technical protocol |
| High Strength Low Alloy Structural Steel Plate/Coil(yield strength≥345MPa,thickness≤100) | A588M GrAA588M GrBA588M GrCA588M GrK | 1.2-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3250 | ASTM A588M-01 or according to technical protocol |
| Weathering Steel For Railway Vehicle | 09CuPCrNi-A/B | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-2500 | TB-T1979-2003 |
| Q400NQR1 | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | Freight Shipping[2003]387according to technical protocol | |
| Q450NQR1 | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| Q500NQR1 | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| Q550NQR1 | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| Weathering Steel For Container | SPA-H | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-2500 | JIS G3125 or according to technical protocol |
| SMA400AW/BW/CW | 1.5-19*800-1601 | 6-50*1600-3000 | JIS G 3114 or according to technical protocol | |
| SMA400AP/BP/CP | 1.5-19*800-1602 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| SMA490AW/BW/CW | 2.0-19*800-1603 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| SMA490AP/BP/CP | 2.0-19*800-1604 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| SMA570AW/BW/CW | 2.0-19*800-1605 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| SMA570AP/BP/CP | 2.0-19*800-1606 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| EN weathering structural steel | S235J0W | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | EN10025-5 or according to technical protocol |
| S235J2W | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| S355J0W | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| S355J2W | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| S355K2W | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 6-50*1600-3000 | ||
| S355J0WP | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 8-50*1600-2500 | ||
| S355J2WP | 1.5-19*800-1600 | 8-50*1600-2500 | ||
Weathering Steel Equivalent Standard Table(ASTM, JIS, EN, ISO)
| GB/T4171-2008 | ISO 4952-2006 | ISO5952-2005 | EN10025-5：2004 | JIS G3114-2004 | JIS G3125-2004 | A242M-04 | A588M-05 | A606M-04 | A871M-03 |
| Q235NH | S235W | HSA235W | S235J0W,J2W | SMA400AW,BW,CW | |||||
| Q295NH | |||||||||
| Q355NH | S355W | HSA355W2 | S355J0W,J2W,K2W | SMA490AW,BW,CW | Grade K | ||||
| Q415NH | S415W | 60 | |||||||
| Q460NH | S460W | SMA570W,P | 65 | ||||||
| Q500NH | |||||||||
| Q550NH | |||||||||
| Q295GNH | |||||||||
| Q355GNH | S355WP | HSA355W1 | S355J0WP,J2WP | SPA-H | Type1 | ||||
| Q265GNH | |||||||||
| Q310GNH | Type4 |
How long will Corten steel last?
Generally, Corten steel will patina or rust within six months of atmospheric exposure. Most weathering steel types need wet/dry weather cycles to develop and oxidize. With the protective rust that provides corrosion resistance, Corten steel can last upwards of a few decades to over 100 years.
Does weather resistant steel rust?
The patina formation process of weathering steel
Once it's exposed to alternating wet and dry conditions, weathering steel begins to rust in the same fashion as non-weathering steel.
Is corten steel better than stainless steel?
Unlike stainless steel, Corten Steel is a distinct type of alloy designed to weather gracefully over time, offering structural strength and an aesthetic quality that sets it apart.
What is another name for corten steel?
The alloys continued to undergo development to improve their strength and durability. In time, the name lost its hyphen and become a generic term. Corten steel is also known as weathering steel or weathered steel.
