ASTM A588 (Corten)
High-strength low-alloy weathering steel. Forms a stable protective rust patina eliminating the need for paint. Cu-Cr-Ni-V composition provides 4-8x atmospheric corrosion resistance vs carbon steel. Used for unpainted bridges, architectural facades, sculptures, outdoor structures, and freight cars.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 | ASTM | USA | ASTM A588 Grade A | — | REF |
| 🇪🇺 | EN | Europe | S355J2WP (approx) | 1.8946 | 85% |
Sources: ASTM A588/A588M, EN 10025-5
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: ASTM A588 (Corten) (ASTM) (ASTM A588 Gr A) vs S355J2WP (approx) (EN)
| Element | ASTM A588 (Corten) (ASTM) | S355J2WP (approx) (EN) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.19% | — | — |
| Si | 0.3–0.65% | — | — |
| Mn | 0.8–1.25% | — | — |
| P | 0–0.04% | — | — |
| S | 0–0.05% | — | — |
| Cr | 0.4–0.65% | — | — |
| Ni | 0–0.4% | — | — |
| V | 0.02–0.1% | — | — |
| Cu | 0.25–0.4% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
General
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 485 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 345 | MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 18 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | ≥ 200 | GPa |
| Density | ≥ 7.85 | g/cm3 |
Compatibility verdict
ASTM A588 (Corten) and S355J2WP (approx): 85% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
Related materials
S355JR
1.0045High-strength low-alloy structural steel with minimum yield strength of 355 MPa. Standard grade for bridges, buildings, cranes, and general structural applications. Impact tested at +20°C (JR).
S690QL
1.8928High-strength quenched and tempered fine-grain structural steel with minimum yield strength of 690 MPa. Used for heavily loaded structures like mobile cranes, mining equipment, bridges, and pressure vessels.
S275JR
1.0044Medium-strength structural steel with minimum yield strength of 275 MPa. Bridges the gap between S235JR and S355JR. Used for general structural applications, lattice towers, masts, and light crane components. Impact tested at +20°C (JR).
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