Corrosion is a common threat to steel manufacturing. The process of material deterioration can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are present in Australia due to its different environmental conditions.
According to UNSW Sydney, the process of material deterioration in steel can be caused by many of environmental factors, many of which are present in Australia due to its different climates. High humidity, moisture, chemicals, pollutants and temperature fluctuations are all causes of corrosion – elements which are frequently dealt with in the infrastructure, automotive, agricultural and mining sectors among others.
Additionally, the annual cost of corrosion on domestic industries is as high as two to three per cent of Australia’s gross domestic product, according to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
In the face of corrosion being a major challenge across Australia, global steel manufacturer, SSAB, has brought a solution to the domestic market in the form of its Strenx Weathering product line. The entire range is made up of weathering steel, an alloy which has proven to be effective against corrosion by forming a protective patina layer on itself over time when exposed to cyclical atmospheric conditions. This eliminates the need for repainting or recoating, and as a result, means the steel is virtually maintenance-free and cost effective.
“Weathering steel’s patina process has no effect on the steel’s mechanical properties,” says SSAB Marketing Manager – South East Asia, Japan, India and Pacific, Kris Chua. “As a result, structures made from SSAB Weathering steel require low to no maintenance for as long as the structure stands. SSAB Strenx Weathering steel is strong, reliable and guaranteed to last, as will its vivid natural appearance.”
SSAB’s Strenx Weathering steel features additional benefits in strength and durability. This essentially allows the steel to support more weight for its builds, while weighing less on its own.
“Strenx Weathering is available with yield strength of both 700 and 960 MPa, which allows for increased load-bearing capacity and high-performance designs,” Kris says. “Additionally, the high-strength quality of Strenx Weathering allows for a reduction in the thickness of steel and can potentially reduce the weight of steel structures by up to 30 per cent.”
SSAB’s Strenx Weathering is extremely durable due to the product’s paint adhesion properties. As Kris explains, paint on SSAB Strenx Weathering steel adheres better than on standard painted carbon steel.
“When scratched or dented, Strenx Weathering’s self-healing properties will minimise creepage or corrosion underneath the painted layer and remove the risk of porous expansion of rust,” she says. “The result is minimal maintenance and repairing costs, making it a cost-effective choice.”
This factor is matched by a sustainable design. The weathering steel products meet the same C5 corrosivity standards as hot dip galvanised steel, meaning they are highly susceptible to corrosion but don’t require extensive protective processes like galvanising or zinc coating due to their paint coats. SSAB Strenx Weathering, as a result, is also more environmentally friendly.
“The benefits of skipping these coating processes and associated negative environmental impacts are significant,” Kris says. “For example, the European average for hot dip galvanising a tonne of steel accounts for more than 120 kilograms of CO² emissions. Around 160 kilograms of CO² emissions are embodied when painting that same amount.
“With SSAB Weathering steels, these embodied carbon emission coatings can be avoided over the product’s lifespan,” Kris says. “Weathering steel’s patina develops naturally over alternating wet-dry cycles in atmospheric conditions which slows down corrosion and provides a service life comparable to coated carbon steel when applied properly. This is fully natural and occurs without any active industrial process.”
SSAB’s Strenx Weathering product line is used by a number of companies across a broad range of applications due to the strength, durability, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of it. This wide scope includes trailer builders, manufacturers of shipping containers, agricultural equipment OEMs and applications in a myriad of other industries.
“For many customers, switching to Strenx Weathering is ensuring greater scratch and dent resistance and longer product lifespans,” Kris says. “In certain applications, such as trailer chassis, the reduced weight of Strenx Weathering also enables higher payloads.”
SSAB’s Strenx Weathering product range offers a long-term solution for users despite the various environmental risks challenging the longevity of steel in Australia. Between the portfolio’s strength, durability and sustainability, it has proven to be a popular option within Australia’s transport industry.
