Rule #43: No new member can start a new thread until they've made 10 posts.

Archinect, please.

Either that or I'm just going to start going off on first time posters who somehow can't figure out how to use google.

It all depends.....does it have a mill finish?

It should have some stamps on it which call out the metal..., A606.  If it hasn't been degreased then it will look  kinda slate black.  I would post you a picture but I don't recall how to post pictures here....
 

yellow

it kinda looks like new corten steel

I am a strong supporter that all corten steel should be painted bright pink.

can you galvanize corten?  that might fix that problem where it starts to look old and dingy

Forget CorTen -- CorTen sucks.   All the cool kids are using CorEleven.

^ Polished to a #1 finish.

Thank you for the responses... I wasn't aware of this rule and only posted because I couldn't find any reputable sources online.

I ask this because I had a sample sent in from a Corten (A606) supplier that seemed to be half pre-rusted, half un-rusted. I was wondering whether it was typical to install Corten un-rusted and let it rust naturally, or if I should order from a company that supplies Corten pre-rusted.

CorTen is a trademark, the generic name for it is weathering steel.

It comes un rusted weathers(rusts) extremely quickly.

New corten looks like new steel. Old corten looks like rusty old steel.

If the sample is half rusted, they are probably trying to show you what it looks like new and old. 

Only difference is that corten's rust stops at some point, supposedly. 

The rust dripping off corten will stain anything underneath it, so buyer beware. 

Like steel.

ord:  Corten Steel  doesn't just look rusted overnight.  It has to be exposed to the weather. 

You have to design it such that water does not sit on it. Water should sheet away from the material, or you will have it rusting thru over time.

You also have to use the proper welding rods when welding it.  Otherwise you are creating a weak point at the joints cause they will rust thru over time.

You can get it to rust quicker but the chemical mixture can be a bit messy.

Also most steel comes with  a coating of oil so you have to degrease the stuff if you want it to rust faster and more uniformly.

Corten Concealed Fixings

Hi, I should like to specify Corten for a house on the southern coast of Australia. I want to avoid using preformed interlocking  200-400 panels.

I should like to use  3x1200x3000mm sheets 'with concealed' fixings. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you                   

.

Magnets.

Hi,

We've recently installed a new Corten wall that serves as a planter approximately 26" high that directly comes into contact with a new concrete retaining wall. The Corten plate overlaps the concrete about 4" and has corten steel directly in contact with the  concrete.  I'm afraid of the rust spreading into the zen like smooth coat concrete.  Any suggestions for a barrier or coating that I can place in between the Corten and concrete or ?

thanks

If the corten planter overlaps the concrete. I don't think you can avoid the rust runoff. You need to control the water from the corten with a linear drain or strip of gravel bed.

You could paint the cor-ten steel planter a charming rust color? Or, any other color for that matter.

Wash the wall with some CLR.  Nothing really is "maintenance free"

you should have designed a waterproof barrier between the two materials.  Concrete is known for holding moisture so it is going to suck the rust right into it when it dries out after a rain and a warm spell.  Oh those pesky Details!  

Thanks for all the suggestions...

snooker-doodle>   Not too late. Just installed yesterday.  So something like a dupont homewrap between the steel and concrete?

We are planning on replacing a large portion of the siding on the south side of our home in Colorado with Corten steel (7/8" corrugated) as part of an exterior remodel. Up here at 8,500 ft elevation we get very strong sun.  Should we expect a significant heat gain on our interior?

I'm just going to leave this here (emphasis mine): https://www.ussteel.com/produc...

"Why Not COR-TEN® in Architectural Applications? Consistent with United States Steel Corporation's ("USS") policy over the last two decades, U. S. Steel reiterates and reminds that COR-TEN® steel sheet products should not be sold when the intended use is for an architectural application, such as roofing and siding. U. S. Steel has consistently maintained this position because of the risk of corrosion from factors beyond the control of the COR-TEN® steel licensee (e.g. improper design, fabrication, erection and/or maintenance).

Reasons

• The tight oxide skin of COR-TEN® Steel reforms after abrasion from snow, ice, sand, dirt and hail.
• Acid rain also causes the skin to reform.
• As the skin reforms the product actually becomes thinner and eventually will be perforated.

Application

• Special attention must be paid to the drainage of storm water to prevent staining of surrounding structures, sidewalks and other surfaces.
• COR-TEN® Steel must be kept free from debris such as leaves, pine needles, etc. These waste products retard the wet/dry cycle necessary for COR-TEN® Steel such that corrosion is accelerated and the product becomes thinner until it is perforated.
• As the skin reforms, the product actually becomes thinner and eventually will be perforated.

Energy Efficiency

• Although COR-TEN® Steel is totally recyclable and has a high recycled content, it has very low solar reflectivity.
• In other words, COR-TEN® Steel is a hot roof, and therefore inconsistent with environmental "cool roof" programs that aim to minimize energy consumption, urban heat islands and pollution."

shiny mirror finish