Material details
Cor-ten steel for the metal laser cutting.
Patinated steel that develops a protective rust-colored patina. Ideal for architecture, sculpture, and exterior applications. Available in thicknesses from 1.5 to 10 mm.
Description
The Wheatering steel It is a weathering steel with high mechanical resistance. The name is an acronym for CORrosion resistance and TENsile strength: its two distinctive properties. Unlike the iron common, Cor-ten protects itself from oxidation by developing a rust-colored surface patina stable and compact, which blocks further corrosion and gives the material its characteristic appearance.
This patina forms naturally over the course of about six months with exposure to the elements, through alternating cycles of wetting and drying, without allowing water to pool on the surface. Chemical products can also accelerate the process and achieve oxidation in just a few hours. Seawater is not essential for patina formation.
In the absence of atmospheric exposure, Cor-ten behaves like normal carbon steel and does not develop a protective patina.
Instructions for laser cutting metal
- It is not possible to share cutting lines between adjacent pieces.
- You will only receive the cut pieces, not the rest of the plate.
- The elements must be separated by at least 6 mm.
- Minimum workpiece area: 10 × 10 mm.
- Avoid details with width less than 1 mm.
- The load-bearing details must have width ≥ thickness of the plate (min 1 mm).
- Draw using only closed tracks.
- We do not recommend engravings on Cor-ten: once the rust patina has formed, the incisions will no longer be visible.
If you have any doubts, contact us.
Available thicknesses
1.5mm · 2.0mm · 4.0mm · 5.0mm · 10.0mm
Applications
The aesthetic characteristics of the rust patina make Cor-ten a much-loved material in architecture, design, and art: outdoor signs, decorative lettering, sculptures, garden borders, facade cladding, street furniture, furnishing accessories, and decorative panels.
Cor-ten can be welded, bent, and machined. It is recyclable. Its resistance to atmospheric corrosion is 5 to 8 times greater than that of common carbon steel.
After cutting, the pieces are mechanically cleaned. Slight burrs and discolorations may remain in the areas adjacent to the cut, which will be covered by the patina once it has formed.
Drawing Guides
Dettagli tecnici
MATERIAL
Type: Cor-ten A steel (patinable, self-protecting)
Density: 7.85 g/cm³
Color: Metallic gray upon delivery; develops a rust-colored patina with exposure to the elements
Atmospheric corrosion resistance: 5-8 times higher than carbon steel
AVAILABLE THICKNESSES
1.5 · 2.0 · 4.0 · 5.0 · 10.0 mm
MAXIMUM CUTTING DIMENSIONS
1,480 × 2,980 mm
CUTTING TOLERANCES
Starting from ±0.15 mm
DELIVERY TIMES
Cor-ten requires longer delivery times than standard metals (approximately 10-15 working days).
DESIGN RULES
Minimum workpiece area: 10 × 10 mm
Minimum distance between elements: 6 mm
Minimum width of details: 1 mm (never less than the thickness of the sheet)
Minimum hole diameter: ≥ thickness of the sheet
Closed tracks only
Engravings: not recommended (not visible after the patina has formed)
FORMATION OF THE PATINA
The protective patina develops naturally in about six months with atmospheric exposure (wetting/drying cycles, without stagnation). Chemical accelerators are commercially available to achieve oxidation in a few hours. Seawater is not suitable for patina formation.
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Weldable: Yes
Cold bendable: Yes (up to ~12 mm)
Machinable with mechanical tools: Yes
Recyclable: Yes
Magnetic: Yes
