Summary for corten steel flues Discussion
Corten steel for flues in concrete chimneys is discussed mainly as a material-identification question rather than a design recommendation. Solomon Lamech asked whether COR-TEN would offer benefits over mild steel for chimney flues in India, noting that imported material would be more expensive. Karl Munson replied that COR-TEN is a registered trademark of U.S. Steel and pointed readers to the company website for information. Toby Padfield added that COR-TEN is a weathering steel alloyed with copper, chromium, silicon, and nickel to improve atmospheric corrosion resistance and provide higher strength, typically with a 50 ksi minimum yield strength; he also noted ASTM A606 Type 4 is usually specified. Later, Helmut Laszig asked about its use on gas turbine exhausts and whether improved equivalents exist, and Manzur Zahed asked if unpainted corten could be used for a vent stack at 400 °C. The thread does not give a direct engineering approval for high-temperature flue service, only background on the alloy and references for further details.
Q. I design industrial structures and that includes concrete chimneys with steel flues. Some years ago, I ran across some drawings for chimney flues which specified chimney flues made of corten steel.
Corten steel is not normally sold in India. I want to know whether anyone can advise me on the benefits of using Corten steel in a chimney flue instead of mild steel (excluding the top) since corten steel requires to be imported into India.
Solomon Lamech
structural engineer – Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2004
A. COR-TEN® is a registered trademark of United States Steel Corporation. Their website www.ussconstruction.com has the info you need.
Karl Munson
– Cuncinnati Ohio USA
2004
A. COR-TEN® is a type of weathering steel produced by US Steel that uses alloying elements such as copper, chromium, silicon and nickel to enhance the atmospheric corrosion resistance of the steel. The addition of these elements also results in a high strength steel that typically exhibits a 50 ksi minimum yield strength. ASTM A606
Type 4 is usually specified for this product. You can find additional details on their website.
Toby Padfield
Automotive module supplier – Michigan
2004
Q. I am aware that “Corten” steel was extensively used on Gas turbine exhausts due to its high temperature and good servicability. Can someone supply me with material details/composition/purposes/etc. info. Is it still “milled” these days? are there improved equivalents?
Helmut Laszig
– Cape Town
2004
Q. Can I use corten steel without paint for vent stack chimney, where temperature will be 400 °C? The temperature may fluctuate randomly from 30 °C to 400 °C.
Manzur Zahed
fertilizer manufacturer – Chittagong, Bangladesh
April 1, 2013