mineral / Metallic / Ferrous Sheet

Weathering Steel (Corten) Sheet (1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm, 5.0mm, 6.0mm, 8.0mm)

High-strength weathering steel sheet that develops a protective rust patina, eliminating painting requirements. Available to AS/NZS 3678 WR350 specification with 350MPa minimum yield strength for structural and architectural applications in Australian conditions.

Atlas code
MIN-MET-FSH-002
mineralmetallicweathering-steelcortenWR350structural-steelself-weathering
Weathering Steel (Corten) Sheet (1.5mm, 2.0mm, 3.0mm, 5.0mm, 6.0mm, 8.0mm)
At-a-glance signals

High-strength weathering steel sheet that develops a protective rust patina, eliminating painting requirements. Available to AS/NZS 3678 WR350 specification with 350MPa minimum yield strength for structural and architectural applications in Australian conditions.

Overview
Executive summary

Weathering steel (commonly known as Corten) is a high-strength, low-alloy structural steel that develops a stable, adherent oxide layer (patina) when exposed to atmospheric conditions. This protective rust-like appearance forms over 18-36 months in Australian climates through wet-dry cycles, providing superior corrosion resistance compared to conventional steel. The material is available in multiple thicknesses from 1.5mm to 8.0mm, conforming to AS/NZS 3678 Grade WR350 standards. Australian products include BlueScope REDCOR® steel, offering enhanced atmospheric corrosion resistance through copper, chromium, and nickel alloying elements.

Best when…
  • No painting required - self-protecting patina
  • Lower lifecycle costs than painted steel
  • 100% recyclable at end of life
  • High strength-to-weight ratio (350MPa yield)
  • Excellent aesthetic qualities with natural weathering
  • 120+ year design life in appropriate environments
  • Suitable for all BAL ratings (AS 3959)
  • Self-healing if scratched or damaged
  • Low maintenance requirements
  • CSIRO-verified performance in Australian climates
Top advantages
  1. 01 No painting required - self-protecting patina
  2. 02 Lower lifecycle costs than painted steel
  3. 03 100% recyclable at end of life
  4. 04 High strength-to-weight ratio (350MPa yield)
  5. 05 Excellent aesthetic qualities with natural weathering
Top limitations
  1. 01 Initial rust runoff can stain adjacent materials
  2. 02 18-36 months for full patina development
  3. 03 Not suitable for marine environments <1km from coast
  4. 04 Requires drainage - cannot tolerate ponding water
  5. 05 Higher initial cost than carbon steel (20-30% premium)
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
7850 kg/m³
Specific gravity
7.85
Porosity
0 %
Water absorption
0 %
Hardness
170
UV resistance
Excellent // No UV degradation
Chemical resistance
Good // Resistant to most atmospheric pollutants
pH tolerance
4-10
Surface roughness
25 µm
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
480 MPa
Compressive strength
350 MPa
Flexural strength
350 MPa
Shear strength
210 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.3
Impact resistance
27
Creep resistance
Excellent // at service temperatures
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
19.6
Carbon footprint
2.5
Embodied energy
35 MJ/kg
Water footprint
64 L/kg
Recycled content
25 %
Renewable content
0 %
Circular score
95
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·5
Combustibility class
Non-combustible // AS 1530.1
Fire resistance level
0/0/0 // Unprotected steel
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0
Heat release rate
0
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
$2800-3500/tonne // AUD 2025 prices
Material cost (per unit)
$22-27/m² // 2.5mm thickness
Lead time
2-4 weeks // Standard thicknesses ex-stock
Lifecycle cost
$70-100/m² // 50-year analysis
Annual maintenance
$0.50/m² // Minimal - inspection only
Market availability
Good // Major cities, special order regional
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
50-120 years // Environment dependent
Maintenance interval
Annual inspection // Check drainage
Warranty period
10-25 years // Manufacturer dependent
Layer D

Where it's used

Architectural facades and cladding systems
Bridge structures and infrastructure
Landscape edging and retaining walls
Sculptural and artistic installations
Industrial buildings and warehouses
Noise barriers and acoustic walls
Structural frames in appropriate environments
Decorative screens and privacy panels
Chimney and exhaust stack construction
Mining and agricultural equipment
MIN-MET-FSH-002 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.