You’re looking to get into steel welding. You’re reading this article to find out how to weld corten steel.
But before I start getting into specific instructions on how to weld this type of steel, let me give you a brief introduction to what it actually is.
Corten Steel is an austenitic and carbon steel that is used in architecture because of its attractive appearance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Corten steel is rust-reducing and does not show the discoloration or rust staining that other ferrous metals do.
Welding corten steel presents a unique challenge because of this. In this article, I aim to give you the information required to get your project welded as fast and safely as possible.
How to Weld Corten Steel?
You can weld corten steel with any type of welding rod, but you’ll want to make sure that you’re using the right rod for your application. If you’re welding two pieces of corten steel together, then you’ll want to use a carbon steel rod made specifically for low-alloy steels or carbon-manganese steels.
Ensure that the rod has a blue stripe, indicating its suitability for welding these materials.
If you’re welding a piece of corten steel to another metal, such as mild steel, then you will want to use a low-alloy steel welding rod instead, the same kind that would be used for welding carbon steel. For this, I recommend using a 309L stick rod or TIG-MIG filler wire (309L).
Once you’ve found the right type of rod for your application, all that’s left is to ensure that your equipment is set up properly so that it can handle the high temperatures required during the process.
In the remaining article, I will show you the steps for welding corten steel and other important considerations about welding corten steel.
Corten Steel Importance
Corten steel is a type of weathering steel that contains a small amount of chromium. It is used in the construction industry for its resistance to corrosion, its ability to be recycled, and its high resistance to atmospheric corrosion.
While it can be used for many different applications, it is most commonly used for roofing.
The finish on Corten steel allows it to form a protective layer that prevents rust from forming. This makes it ideal for climate conditions where rainwater can cause corrosion.
Corten steel is also used for architectural purposes because it has a unique aesthetic quality.
Why Should I Weld Corten Steel?
Welding corten steel is a great way to make your project last longer, look better, and be more durable.
Corten steel is a type of steel that has been exposed to weather elements for an extended period of time.
Its surface develops a protective rust coating, which makes it more resistant to corrosion than regular steel. Welding corten steel will increase its durability even further by reinforcing the structural integrity of your project.
How do I Select the Filler Metal?
The best filler metal for welding corten steel is a high-chromium, low-nickel steel with good ductility.
When welding corten steel, it’s important to use a filler metal that will produce a strong weld bead with minimal porosity.
Filler metals that are high in chromium are often recommended for working with corten steels because they provide good corrosion resistance and have the ability to form hard deposits that resist cracking.
Nickel has an effect on the hardness of the weld deposit, but it also contributes to cracking during cooling.
I suggest using a filler metal that is lower in nickel will help prevent cracking during cooling and allow for better adhesion between the base material and the weld bead.
Steps of Welding Corten Steel
Welding Corten Steel is a process that requires precise, careful work. It’s important to follow these steps exactly to ensure you get the best results:
- Cut the corten steel to the appropriate size and shape.
- Grind off any rust and scale, then clean the surface with a wire brush.
- Apply a primer to the steel, which will help ensure that your welds are stronger and more durable than they would be without it.
- Clean off any oil or grease from your hands, face, and clothing before you begin welding because this can cause problems during the process.
- Set up your welding machine so that it has plenty of power but not too much; you want a nice balance between speed and strength when welding corten steel.
- Use an electrode that’s made specifically for welding corten steel (they have special properties that help prevent corrosion).
- Make sure your work area is clear of debris or other items that could get in the way of your welds. If this isn’t possible, lay down protective sheets of cardboard or other materials, so nothing gets damaged during use!
Is Any Difference Between Corten & Stainless Steel?
Yes, there is a difference between corten steel and stainless steel. The main difference between the two is that stainless steel is more expensive and does not rust as easily as corten steel.
Corten steel has many advantages over stainless steel, including being cheaper and more durable.
Corten Steel is a type of iron alloy that contains carbon and iron. It’s often used in the construction industry because it can withstand weathering better than other types of metals.
It also has a natural resistance to corrosion due to its high level of carbon content.
Stainless steel is an alloy that contains chromium, nickel, or molybdenum as its main ingredient.
Stainless steel doesn’t rust as quickly as other types of metal; however, it can corrode if exposed to water or high humidity levels over time (such as when used outside).
Corten Steel Specifications
ASTM has also laid down specifications for corten steel that is used in the construction industry.
These specifications are mainly concerned with the material’s mechanical properties and are specified for several different grades.
In the following table, I am going to show you the grades along with the specifications & uses:
| No. | Grade | Specifications |
| 1. | A871-65 | Steel plate (65ksi minimum yield strength) |
| 2. | A847 | Tube & pipe |
| 3. | A242 | Steel plate (1.5 inches thickness) |
| 4. | A709-50W | Bridge construction steel plate |
| 5. | A606-4 | Coil & corten steel sheet |
Is Corten & Mild Steel the Same?
No, they are not the same.
Corten and mild steel are both alloys that are used to create steel. They each have different properties and are used for different purposes.
Corten steel is a type of weathering steel that is known for its ability to resist corrosion. This makes it a great choice for use in exterior applications where it will be exposed to moisture, wind, and other elements.
It is often used in architectural applications like building facades or sculptures because it has an attractive appearance that can be either polished or left unpainted if desired.
Mild steel is another form of alloy used to create steel with a wide range of properties, including strength and durability.
Mild steel does not have as high of a resistance to corrosion as corten does, which makes it less ideal for outdoor use but still very useful for many applications both indoors and out.
Common Welding Processes
The most common welding processes used for welding Corten steel are MIG, TIG, and flux-cored arc welding.
MIG Welding:
The MIG process is one of the more common methods. It involves using a wire electrode that is connected to an external power supply, which then melts the filler material and deposits it in the joint area.
This method is typically used on smaller projects such as gates and railings because it requires less equipment than other processes.
TIG Welding:
TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding is another popular option because it uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode that produces a very clean weld with little or no spatter or slag build-up.
This process also requires a lot less power than other options, so it’s often used on larger projects such as building roofs or support beams.
Flux-core Welding:
Flux-cored arc welding uses an externally supplied shielding gas, such as carbon dioxide, instead of argon or helium, like other processes do, which helps reduce oxidation effects during production since it produces less heat than other methods do.
Pros & Cons of Corten Steel
Pros:
- Corten steel is a great material for creating outdoor structures.
- It’s relatively inexpensive and easy to find.
- Corten steel is naturally resistant to rusting.
- Doesn’t require painting, which makes it a good option for places where you don’t want the maintenance of paint or rust-proofing.
- Tougher and more durable than other types of steel for exteriors.
Cons:
- Corten steel requires regular maintenance.
- It can be difficult to obtain the correct color and texture for specific applications.
- The material can rust if it’s exposed to moisture or salt.
- Corten steel can’t be recycled. Once it’s been used, it has to be disposed of as waste.
What Makes Corten Steel Welding Successful?
When you are welding with Corten steel, there are a few things you can do to make sure your weld is successful.
First, make sure that you have the right equipment. You want to make sure that your welder is able to handle the material in question and that it has been tested by a third party.
You also want to make sure that your torch is properly set up for this kind of welding.
Second, read the instructions carefully that I shared above before starting. This will help ensure that you understand what materials need to be used and how they should be handled during the process.
Finally, follow safety procedures at all times while working on this project so that no one gets hurt while working on it!
Final Words!
In this article, you have explored the basics of welding corten steel and learned how to weld corten steel.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and took away some useful information to help in your next project.
Corten steel is not an easy material to weld, but when done correctly with the above article guidelines, then the results are outstanding!
FAQs:
What do you weld Corten with?
Corten is welded with any of the standard AWS mild steel or stainless steel electrodes. The most common alternate filler materials are aluminum, silicon bronze, copper, and nickel-based alloys.
Is it easy to weld corten steel?
Yes, it is if you know how. This is a process that is not hard to master. Corten steel is a widely used metal that is known for resisting corrosion and rust. It can be easily welded with tungsten inert gas (TIG) and plasma arc (PA). You need to use 35 percent of chromium and 0.4 percent of carbon content in order to achieve this unique steel.
What filler rod for corten steel?
The filler rods for use with Alumaweld® corten steel welding systems are high-quality steel that meets or exceeds ASTM A-706 and is designed to be used with Alumaweld® Power Welding Filler Rod Wire for weld reinforcement in Corten-03, Corten-04, Corten-06, and Coated steel structures.
How to MIG weld corten steel?
To MIG weld corten steel, you need to know what type of equipment you will need and the best settings for welding. The equipment needed to MIG weld corten steel includes a welder with the correct atmosphere shielding gas, a regulator and hose that leads to the machine, a power source, and the proper ground clamping system. The best settings for welding on corten steel are usually around 100 amps and 70 volts.
Which steel is difficult to weld?
High-carbon steel is difficult to weld as it can be affected by heat and becomes brittle.
