Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has developed production of steel with increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion, expanding its range of weathering steel products.
The steel forms a protective oxide layer, or patina, that adheres to the surface and limits oxygen access, helping to prevent further corrosion. The material can be used in bridge and shipbuilding, industrial and civil construction, as well as architectural and landscaping applications.
MMK has developed a product range covering hot-rolled, pickled hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel in coils and sheets. The products are manufactured to ASTM A606/A606M-25.
The company said production requires specific steelmaking and rolling parameters. The chemical composition is controlled during steelmaking and secondary metallurgy, while special rolling and heat-treatment regimes are used to achieve the required mechanical properties alongside atmospheric corrosion resistance.
MMK currently has three production routes for the weathering steel, involving its converter shop and different rolling mills. The company has also developed cold-rolled weathering steel at its No. 11 sheet mill, with products from 0.5 mm thickness after continuous annealing. Tests at a customer confirmed the formation of a uniform patina on the cold-rolled product.
The company expects demand for the product in construction, architectural and landscaping applications and is continuing to expand its weathering steel range.