WEATHERING STEEL

A FAMILY OF HIGH STRENGTH LOW-ALLOY STEELS HAVING AN ATMOSPHERE-CORROSION RESISTANCE AT LEAST 4 TIMES THAT OF CONVENTIONAL CARBON STEEL, AND THAT CAN BE LEFT UNPAINTED UNDER MOST CONDITIONS, IS DESIGNATED AS "WEATHERING STEEL". THE ALLOYING INGREDIENTS IN THESE STEELS, CAUSE A RUST FILM TO DEVELOP AS A DENSE, TIGHTLY ADHERENT OXIDE COATING. IT REMAINS THIN AND TIGHTLY ATTACHED TO THE PARENT METAL, PROTECTING IT AGAINST FURTHER ATTACK. ABOUT 2 YEARS OF OUTDOOR EXPOSURE IS REQUIRED BEFORE THIS PROTECTION IS ACHIEVED. WATER POCKETS WHICH CONSTANTLY WET THE STEEL WILL PREVENT IT'S DEVELOPMENT AND INTERMEDIATE WEB STIFFNERS ON A BRIDGE GIRDER ARE OFTEN CUT ABOUT AN INCH SHORT OF THE BOTTOM FLANGE TO PREVENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS CONDITION. THE HIGH COST PER POUND OF WEATHERING STEEL IS OFFSET BY THE USE OF LESS STEEL (PERMITTED BY ITS HIGHER STRENGTH). USE OF SUCH STEELS REDUCES MAINTENANCE EXPENSES. WEATHERING STEELS ARE MOST COMMONLY USED IN RAILROAD BRIDGES BUT THEY CAN ALSO BE USED IN SIGNAL BRIDGES, FLOODLIGHT TOWERS, CATERNARY SUPPORTS ON ELECTRIFIED RAILROADS ETC. THE DEEP RUSSET TONES ACHIEVED AFTER SEVERAL YEARS, IS A DESIRABLE AESTHETIC FEATURE. CARE, HOWEVER, SHOULD BE TAKEN TO INSURE SMOOTH DEVELOPMENT OF THE OXIDE FILM. THE FABRICATOR MUST NOT PAINT SHIPPING MARKS ON EXPOSED SURFACES. CONCRETE STAINING MAY BE PREVENTED BY WRAPPING PLASTIC FILM OVER CONCRETE FOR THE FIRST MONTH OR TWO. OTHER APPROACHES TO THIS PROBLEM ARE DISCUSSED. THE FASTENERS USED IN ASSEMBLAGE OF SUCH STRUCTURES SHOULD ALSO BE OF WEATHERING STEEL. THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SALT WHICH PREVENTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROTECTIVE FILM IS DESCRIBED. REFRIGERATOR CAR DRIPPINGS AND OCEAN ENVIRONMENTS COULD PROVE HARMFUL TO THE USE OF SUCH STEELS.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Bridge & Building Association

  18154 Harwood Avenue
  Homewood, IL  United States  60430
• Authors:
  • Davidson, J W
• Publication Date: 1972

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 73-6
• Serial:
  • American Railway Bridge & Building Assoc, Proc
  • Publisher: American Railway Bridge & Building Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Alloy steel; Concrete pavements; Corrosion resistance; Durability; Girders; Maintenance management; Plastics; Railroad bridges; Rusting; Seas; Sodium chloride; Weatherproofing
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Marine atmospheres
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00217363
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 24 1974 12:00AM