WHAT IS COR-TEN STEEL?

COR-TEN is a weather-resistant steel developed and patented by the United States Steel Corporation in 1933. Other names often used for this steel are “Corten” steel, and weather-resistant steel. In the English version, it is “Corten steel.” The name Corten steel comes from the English phrases “Corrosion resistant” and “Tensile strength” – abbreviated COR-TEN.

Today, Corten steel is better known to a wide range of people as a steel that has found wide application in architecture and design, thanks to its unique properties and characteristic "rusty" appearance, although it was originally created for the needs of US industry as a steel with high strength characteristics and high corrosion resistance.

However, over time, architects have also drawn attention to COR-TEN. Due to the original color of the patina layer (“rust layer”), environmental friendliness and minimal need for maintenance, weather-resistant COR-TEN steels have been widely used for decorative purposes in recent decades, including for facade systems, sculptures and art objects, and landscape design.