Huaxia-Steel supplies Corten weathering steel plate S355J2W under EN 10025-5 — the structural weathering grade that forms a dense, self-protecting oxide patina and eliminates painting for most outdoor structures. Architectural facades, pedestrian bridges, sculpture, planters and industrial cladding worldwide specify this grade for its 355 MPa yield strength combined with controlled Cu, Cr, Ni alloying that resists atmospheric corrosion. We stock 2–100 mm thickness and cut, bend and roll to your drawings, with guidance on patina development so the final appearance matches your render.
Product Overview
S355J2W is the European weathering steel grade most often called “Corten” (the trademark of the original US Steel COR-TEN family). The designation: S355 structural steel, 355 MPa minimum yield; J2 = Charpy 27 J at −20 °C (making it suitable for cold climates and welded bridges); W = improved atmospheric corrosion resistance per EN 10025-5.
The patina mechanism: Cu, Cr and Ni in the steel drive the rust layer to densify instead of spalling. Over roughly 6–36 months of wet/dry cycles, the surface turns the familiar chocolate brown and the corrosion rate drops to a fraction of plain carbon steel — enough that designers routinely omit protective coating entirely.
- Thickness: 2–100 mm (thin gauge coil for cladding also available).
- Width × length: up to 3,250 × 16,000 mm, cut to size.
- Equivalents: COR-TEN A/B (thin/medium plate), ASTM A588 Gr.A/B (US projects), JIS G3114 SPA-H (coils), EN S355J0WP (Cu-rich thin plate).
Specifications & Mechanical Properties
| Property (t ≤ 16 mm) | S355J2W |
|---|---|
| Min. yield ReH | 355 MPa |
| Tensile Rm | 470–630 MPa |
| Elongation A | ≥20% |
| Charpy V-notch | ≥27 J at −20 °C |
| Min. atmospheric corrosion index I | 6.0 (per EN 10025-5) |
Chemical Composition (ladle, %)
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr | Cu | Ni |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤0.16 | 0.15–0.50 | 0.50–1.50 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.030 | 0.40–0.80 | 0.25–0.55 | ≤0.65 |
The Cu + Cr combination is the patina driver; J2 low-temperature toughness (-20 °C) makes S355J2W the right choice for bridges and structures in continental winters, versus S355J0WP (0 °C) used mostly for thin architectural sheet.
Manufacturing Standards & Processing
- Produced per EN 10025-5, delivery condition +AR (as rolled) or +N (normalized) per thickness; EN 10163-2 surface and flatness classes.
- Cutting: laser, plasma and oxygen cutting to your nesting; preheat 100–150 °C on edges ≥ 20 mm to protect the alloyed edge.
- Bending/rolling: fully formable with standard practice (min. radius ~1.5 × t for thin gauges) — used for curved facade cassettes and planters.
- Welding: standard low-hydrogen consumables; for color-matched welds, matching weathering wires (e.g., Cr-Ni-Cu alloys) keep the weld bead blending into the patina.
- Pre-patinizing: accelerated patina treatment (chemical + cycling) available on request for cladding panels that must look “aged” at installation.
Applications
- Architectural facades and cladding cassettes, feature walls, screens.
- Pedestrian and road bridges, retaining walls, noise barriers.
- Landscape elements: planters, benches, edging, sculpture.
- Industrial: chimney linings, railway wagons, containers, transmission towers.
Design rules for bare weathering steel: allow water to drain freely, avoid permanent wetting (soil contact, ponding), keep salt spray (marine, de-icing salt splash zones) beyond ~1–2 km or specify painted details there, and provide drip details so runoff does not stain concrete below.
Quality Assurance
- EN 10204 3.1 MTC with ladle analysis proving Cu/Cr/Ni contents — the real guarantee of weathering performance.
- Charpy testing at −20 °C per heat and thickness (the “J2” obligation).
- Dimensional and surface inspection per EN 10029 / EN 10163; thickness tolerance class stated on the order.
- Third-party inspection (SGS/BV/TUV) supported; patina and weld samples on request for architect approval.
Packaging & Shipping
Plates and cut parts are shipped dry-packed with paper or VCI interleaving, banded on timber pallets; we advise covering during sea transit to keep the arriving surface clean for even patina development on site. FOB, CFR, CIF and DAP terms from major Chinese ports; typical lead time 2–5 weeks depending on cutting and forming scope.
Why Buy Weathering Steel from Huaxia-Steel
- Factory-direct EN 10025-5 production with verified Cu/Cr alloying — not re-branded structural plate.
- Cut, bend and roll to drawing: cassettes, curved panels and planter kits arrive fabrication-ready.
- Patina guidance documents for your site team: orientation, drainage and runoff management.
- Consolidated export: weathering plate + sections + fasteners in one shipment.
Request a Corten S355J2W quote. Send your sizes or cutting drawings to [email protected] or the inquiry form — factory pricing and mill certificates within 24 hours.
