Corten B Steel Plate | ASTM A588/A242 Weathering Steel
What is Corten B Steel Plate?
As a professional steel plate supplier and China Mill-Direct Exporter, SHH STEEL is pleased to present Corten B Steel Plate.
Corten B is a high-strength low-alloy structural steel with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance. Unlike Corten A (which has higher phosphorus), Corten B has lower phosphorus content and is optimized for better toughness, weldability and structural performance. It forms a stable protective oxide layer (patina) when exposed to the atmosphere, significantly reducing the need for painting and long-term maintenance.
Although the original Corten B is most accurately matched to ASTM A588, it is also frequently requested and supplied under ASTM A242 in international markets. Corten B is closely equivalent to EN 10025-5 S355J0W / S355J2W / S355K2W grades.
SHH STEEL sources Corten B plates directly from leading Chinese steel mills, ensuring competitive mill-direct pricing, stable quality and reliable delivery. We supply thicknesses from 2 mm to 150 mm, widths up to 3000–4000 mm and lengths up to 12000–18000 mm. Custom cutting, shot blasting and priming services are available. All plates are delivered with full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1 or ASTM equivalent).
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Common Name | Corten B | Confirmed |
| Primary Standards | ASTM A588 / ASTM A242 | Available |
| European Equivalent | EN 10025-5 S355J0W / S355J2W | Available |
| Delivery Condition | As-rolled, Normalized or TMCP | Available |
| Product Form | Steel Plate / Sheet | Available |
| Thickness Range | 2 mm – 150 mm | Custom sizes available |
| Width / Length | Up to 3000–4000 mm / 12000–18000 mm | Custom cutting supported |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / ASTM | Available |
Chemical Composition
Typical chemical composition for Corten B (Heat Analysis):
| Element | Max. / Range (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.16 – 0.19 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.50 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50 – 1.50 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.035 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.035 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.40 – 0.80 |
| Nickel (Ni) | ≤ 0.65 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.25 – 0.55 |
| Vanadium (V) | ≤ 0.10 (optional) |
Note: Compared with Corten A, Corten B has significantly lower phosphorus, which improves toughness and weldability while still providing good atmospheric corrosion resistance through Cr + Cu + Ni alloying.
Mechanical Properties
Typical mechanical properties for Corten B:
| Thickness (mm) | Yield Strength ReH (min) | Tensile Strength Rm | Elongation A (min) | Impact Energy (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 16 | 345 – 355 MPa | 470 – 630 MPa | 20 – 22% | 27 J at 0°C or –20°C |
| > 16 ≤ 40 | 345 MPa | 470 – 630 MPa | 20 – 22% | 27 J at 0°C or –20°C |
| > 40 ≤ 63 | 335 MPa | 470 – 630 MPa | 19 – 21% | 27 J at 0°C or –20°C |
| > 63 ≤ 100 | 325 MPa | 470 – 630 MPa | 18 – 20% | 27 J at 0°C or –20°C |
| > 100 ≤ 150 | 295 – 315 MPa | 450 – 600 MPa | 18% | 27 J at 0°C or –20°C |
Density: 7.85 g/cm³
Delivery Conditions
SHH STEEL, as a China Mill-Direct Supplier, supplies Corten B steel plate in as-rolled, normalized or thermomechanically rolled condition according to customer requirements.
Additional options:
- Shot blasting and shop primer
- Ultrasonic testing (EN 10160 or ASTM)
- Z-direction testing (Z15 / Z25 / Z35)
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV, etc.)
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for Corten B steel plate follow ASTM A6 or EN 10029 according to the ordered standard.
- Thickness, width and length tolerances according to the ordered class.
- Flatness according to applicable standard.
- Edge conditions: Mill edge or cut edge (flame / plasma).
Tighter tolerances can be provided upon request.
Weldability
Corten B has good weldability, better than high-phosphorus Corten A. Conventional welding procedures for S355 structural steels can generally be applied.
Recommended welding consumables:
| Welding Process | Recommended Consumables |
|---|---|
| SMAW (Stick) | E7018, E7016 |
| GMAW (MIG/MAG) | ER70S-6 |
| FCAW | E71T-1 |
| SAW | EM12K + suitable flux |
Matching weathering steel consumables can be used when the weld is required to form a protective patina similar to the base material.
Equivalent Material Grades
| Grade | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corten B | Original USS designation | — |
| ASTM A588 Grade A/B | ASTM | Primary American equivalent |
| ASTM A242 | ASTM | Sometimes requested |
| S355J0W / S355J2W / S355K2W | EN 10025-5 | Closest European equivalents |
| Q355NH / Q355GNH | GB/T 4171 | Closest Chinese equivalents |
Applications
Corten B is widely used in outdoor structures where good atmospheric corrosion resistance, structural strength and toughness are required. Typical uses include:
| Application Area | Typical Components / Uses (Keywords) |
|---|---|
| Bridges | Bridge girders, components – Corten B Bridge |
| Building Structures | Facades, external frames – Corten B Structural Steel |
| Containers & Shipping | Containers, cargo handling – Corten B Container |
| Railway Vehicles | Wagon structures – Corten B Railway |
| Sculptures & Architecture | Outdoor sculptures, architectural elements – Corten B Architecture |
| Industrial Structures | Outdoor industrial frames – Corten B Industrial |
| General Outdoor Fabrication | Weathering steel structures – Corten B Fabrication |
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a China Mill-Direct Exporter. We maintain long-term strategic cooperation with major Chinese steel mills and act as a first-level (primary) agent. This direct mill supply model allows us to offer competitive mill-direct pricing, faster delivery times, stable and traceable quality, and full Mill Test Certificates for Corten B Steel Plate.
Customers benefit from reliable supply, short lead times and cost-effective solutions for weathering steel projects worldwide. Our professional export team provides technical support and customized processing services to meet project requirements.
FAQ
- What is the difference between Corten A and Corten B?Corten A has higher phosphorus content (better for pure weathering appearance, closer to ASTM A242). Corten B has lower phosphorus, better toughness and weldability, and is primarily equivalent to ASTM A588 / EN 10025-5 S355J0W/J2W.
- Is Corten B the same as ASTM A588?Yes. Corten B is most accurately matched to ASTM A588. It is also sometimes supplied under ASTM A242 depending on market requirements.
- Does Corten B need painting?In most outdoor environments, Corten B forms a protective patina and does not require painting, reducing long-term maintenance costs.
- Can SHH STEEL supply Corten B with impact testing at –20°C?Yes. Impact testing at 0°C or –20°C (and higher energy levels) can be arranged according to customer requirements.
Conclusion
Corten B Steel Plate from SHH STEEL is a high-performance weathering steel offering excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance, good toughness and reliable structural properties. As a China Mill-Direct Exporter, we provide competitive pricing, fast delivery and consistent quality backed by full mill certifications. Trust SHH STEEL for your Corten B weathering steel plate requirements.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock availability, pricing and technical support. Corten B Steel Plate, ASTM A588, ASTM A242, Corten B plate, weathering steel, atmospheric corrosion resistant steel, Corten B supplier
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