Weathering steel plate
Weathering steel—specifically, atmospheric corrosion-resistant steel—is a series of low-alloy steels positioned between ordinary carbon steel and stainless steel.
Category:
label:
Details
Weathering steel—specifically, atmospheric corrosion-resistant steel—is a series of low-alloy steels positioned between ordinary carbon steel and stainless steel. It is produced by adding small amounts of corrosion-resistant elements, such as copper and nickel, to ordinary carbon steel. It exhibits the high-quality characteristics of steel, including strength, toughness, ductility, formability, weldability, and resistance to abrasion, high temperatures, and fatigue. Its weather resistance is 2 to 8 times that of ordinary carbon steel, and its coating performance is 1.5 to 10 times superior. Additionally, its rust resistance extends the service life of components against corrosion, allows for reduced material thickness and consumption, and saves both labor and energy. Weathering steel is primarily used for steel structures exposed to the atmosphere over long periods, such as railways, vehicles, bridges, towers, photovoltaic installations, and highway infrastructure. It is also used to manufacture structural components for shipping containers, railway rolling stock, oil derricks, harbor facilities, oil extraction platforms, and chemical/petroleum equipment (including vessels exposed to hydrogen sulfide-containing corrosive media).
Its characteristics are defined by the following alloy composition (in weight percentage): C ≤ 0.12, Si 0.25–0.75, Mn 0.2–0.5, S ≤ 0.02, P 0.06–0.12, Cu 0.25–0.5, Cr 0.3–1.25, Ni 0.12–0.65, with the balance consisting of Fe and trace elements. By alloying with elements such as Cu, Mn, Si, and Al, and making minor adjustments to the elemental content of ordinary low-carbon steel (Q235 steel), it is possible to produce an economical weathering steel with excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance and comprehensive mechanical properties—all without altering the existing production process for Q235 steel.
I. Domestic Common Materials
| Material Grade | Properties | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Q235NH / Q235NHB | Excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance, yield strength ≥235MPa, suitable for long-term outdoor structural parts | Infrastructure, container manufacturing, coastal buildings (high salinity environments) |
| Q355NH / Q355NHB | Yield strength ≥355MPa, superior load-bearing capacity and deformation resistance compared to Q235 series, suitable for high-load scenarios | Bridge support structures, heavy vehicle chassis, large building frames |
| Q345NQR2 / Q450NQR1 | High strength (yield strength ≥345MPa or 450MPa), combining weather resistance and weldability | Railway vehicles, building curtain walls, sculpture base materials |
II. International Standard Materials
| Material Grade | Properties | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| SPA-H | Internationally common container-specific material, contains alloy elements such as copper and chromium, extremely strong corrosion resistance | Container manufacturing, railway vehicles, building structures (e.g., Beijing 798 Art District curtain walls) |
| Corten Series (e.g., Corten-A) | Contains copper, phosphorus, chromium, nickel; stable oxide layer, outstanding resistance to low-temperature corrosion, service life up to 80 years | Building facades (e.g., Chicago Civic Center), art installations, industrial equipment enclosures |
III. Railway and Special Scenario Dedicated Materials
| Material Grade | Properties | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 09CuPCrNi-A | Complies with Ministry of Railways standards, excellent weldability, resistant to marine atmospheric corrosion | Railway vehicles, cross-sea bridges, chemical equipment |
| Q460NH / Q700NQR1 | Ultra-high strength (yield strength ≥460MPa or 700MPa), suitable for extreme load environments | Large bridge main girders, ship decks, heavy machinery frames |
IV. Art and Landscape Dedicated Materials
| Material Grade | Properties | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Q345NQR2 | Natural and stable rust texture, can be processed into complex shapes | Urban sculptures (e.g., rust-red installations), landscape pieces, signage systems |
V. Core Alloy Elements and Performance Correlation
| Alloy Element | Functional Role |
|---|---|
| Copper (Cu), Phosphorus (P) | Accelerate the formation of dense oxide film, improve corrosion resistance |
| Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) | Enhance resistance to marine climate and industrial pollution corrosion |
Weathering Steel Plate Specifications
I. Domestic Common Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Thickness Range | |
| Conventional thickness | 1.2mm ~ 80mm |
| Thin plate (1.2~12mm) | Mostly used in containers, landscape decoration, etc. |
| Medium plate (12~20mm) | Suitable for building structures, bridges, etc. |
| Extra-thick plate (>20mm) | Used for bridge main girders, ship decks, heavy-load scenarios |
| Common Models | 4.0×1500×6000 (thickness 4mm, width 1500mm, length 6000mm), 5.0×1500×6000, etc. |
| Width Range | 800mm ~ 3000mm |
| Length Range | Usually 6000mm or 12000mm, some can be customized up to 13000mm |
| Material Corresponding Specifications | |
| Q235NH / Q235NHB | Thickness 1.5~40mm, suitable for building facades and containers |
| Q355NH / Q355NHB | Thickness 6~50mm, used for bridges and heavy machinery frames |
| 09CuPCrNi-A | Thickness 3~30mm, dedicated for railway vehicles and cross-sea bridges |
II. International Standard Specifications
| Standard/Material | Specifications | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| European Standard S355J0W | Thickness: 10~70mm; Width: 2000~3200mm; Length: 6000~13000mm; Yield strength ≥355MPa | Corrosion resistance 2~8 times that of ordinary steel, tensile strength 410~630MPa |
| Japanese Standard SPA-H | Thickness: 1.5~12mm; Mainstream international container material | Applied in high-salinity environments for transport equipment and building curtain walls |
III. Special Scenario Specifications
| Scenario | Material Grade | Thickness Range | Properties/Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railway & Heavy Industry | Q450NQR1 / Q700NQR1 | 12~60mm | Yield strength ≥450/700MPa, used for railway vehicles and bridge supports |
| Q345NQR2 | 3~25mm | Combines weather resistance with artistic expression | |
| Landscape Art | Q345NHB, SPA-H, etc. | Thin plate 2~12mm | Can be laser-cut into complex shapes, natural and stable rust surface texture |
IV. Key Points for Specification Selection
| Selection Factor | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Environmental Matching | High salinity/humidity: prioritize copper/chromium-containing materials (e.g., SPA-H, 09CuPCrNi-A) |
| Welded structures: choose low-phosphorus materials (e.g., Q355NHB) to avoid welding defects | |
| Processing Requirements | Laser cutting: recommended plate thickness ≤40mm |
| Welding process: needs matching weather-resistant welding consumables and removal of surface oxide layer |
Related Products
prefabricated pipe spools , Flanged Elbows , Flanged Tee, Flanged Cross , paddle flanges etc.
prefabricated pipe spools, prefabricated pipe works, prefabricated water projects etc.
Inner Ring and Outer Ring Spiral Wound Metal Gasket, Spiral Wound Metal Gasket, Spiral Wound Gasket
ONLINE MESSAGE
Welcome to Our Family !
Company Overview
We are a professional company in manufacturing and exporting the steel products. Our products include Steel pipe, pipe fittings, flanges, steel sections , valves , and bolts nuts Etc. We have our own two big factories, which make seamless stainless steel pipe and pipe fittings, and also have warehouse for alloy steel products. Until now, we already have over 30years exporting experience in the different steel projects.
COPYRIGHT 2026 GUANGZHOU KINGMETAL STEEL INDUSTRY CO.，LTD.
Powered by 300.cn Privacy Policy Digital business card
Sorry, there is currently no content in the current column
You can check other sections
Business License