Manufacturing cost of A588 Grade A weathering steel sheet

Weathering steel, often referred to by the trademark COR-TEN steel and sometimes written without the hyphen as corten steel, is a group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance after several years' exposure to weather. The name comes from the combination of the two words "corrosion" and "tensile".

A588 Grade A weathering steel is a series of low alloy steels that exhibit high levels of corrosion resistance, due to the addition of copper, chromium and nickel. A588 Grade A has a higher corrosion resistance compared to other grade steels due to the addition of these elements, making it a good choice for outdoor applications. It also has higher yield strength and tensile strength than other grades of weathering steel.

The corrosion resistance of A588 Grade A relies on a coating of rust that forms a protective barrier on its surface. When forming this oxide film, a zinc-rich primer layer is required to form a strong bond between the metal and the coating. This primer layer can either be galvanised or powder-coated.

When it comes to manufacturing, the production process of A588 Grade A weathering steel sheet is fairly simple. It starts with the heating process, which is done either in an electric arc furnace (EAF) or in a basic oxygen furnace (BOF). Once the process is complete, it is passed through a series of rolling mills to create the desired sheet. The sheet is then cut to size and the edges are rounded before being pickled and oiled. During the pickling process, a zinc-rich primer layer is applied to the surface, providing enhanced corrosion protection and a more even finish. Finally, the sheets are trimmed and packaged for shipping.

The manufacturing cost of A588 Grade A weathering steel sheet depends on several factors, including the raw material and manufacturing process used, the size and quantity required, the desired finish, and the final form of the product. Generally, the manufacturing cost of A588 Grade A weathering steel sheet is higher than that of other grades of weathering steel, due to the extra steps required in the manufacturing process.

The cost of A588 Grade A weathering steel sheet will depend on the size and quantity required, as well as the desired finish. For larger orders, it is usually much cheaper to order the sheet precut and finished. This eliminates the cost of cutting the sheet and allows for a more consistent finish.

The cost of manufacturing A588 Grade A steel sheet also depends on the raw materials used and the type of process used during production. For instance, if the steel is produced using an EAF process, the cost is typically higher due to the extra steps involved in the process.

Overall, the cost of A588 Grade A weathering steel sheet is higher than that of other grades of weathering steel. This is due to the extra steps involved in the manufacturing process, including the application of the zinc-rich primer layer. Additionally, the cost depends on the size and quantity required for the order, as well as the desired finish.