Hello Can anybody help me find a supplier of this steel used in my 1960 36' Express softtop. I know I will need to do some replating ,probably more than I would like to. I have been calling every steel supplier I can find and I have come up empty handed. I know it is a trademark product from US Steel so I am hoping some one can direct me to a supplier close to Vancouver BC. I am starting to refit my Roamer in May and need to source this steel .It seems like it has gone the way of too many roamers ,,,,I think it must be old technology. Any suggestions will help. Captain B
Tried this: http://www.corrugated-metals.com/cortensteel.html or http://www.ussteel.com/corp/construction/index.asp
I recalled, after reading your plea and thinking "I've heard of Cor-ten steel - why?" that when I was taken several years ago to see the AIDS Memorial in BC - it was constructed from 20 rectangular sheets of Cor-ten Steel with the names of the deceased engraved thereon. It was designed by Bruce Wilson Canada a firm with offices in Vancouver and Victoria. That was about 1996 or so but somebody there might remember where/how they got the steel.
The Vancouver phone book should provide a long list of steel suppliers who, if they don't stock what you need can tell you who does. This is common material and they can supply it locally. You really don't need to ship it in from Illinois ... duh.
I used to work on a small Cor-Ten built yacht in Monaco. I don't recall any problems due to the high copper content of the steel in the plateing. The major corrosion was in the hull to deck joint with the Alloy, that used to bubble badly. http://yachts.monacoeye.com/yachtsbysize/pages/scape01.html She was called Midnight Saga when I worked aboard and the steelwork was perfect. Fish Oh, I forgot to say it was researched by ThyssenKrupp (they make an aweful lot of steels in Europe).may be worth checking-out their dealers in Canada.
Cor Ten steel Thanks for the comments guys . Some of you won't believe it but I have looked in the vancouver phone book(Marmot) (Wow and even the internet) . I have called 12 steel suppliers so far with the best answer being "We have not sold that in 25 years". Thanks NYCAP123 for at least a real lead where I can get it. As far as a "common material" goes I tend to disagree after about an hour sourcing on the phone and internet I have still not been able to locate it locally and in fact have been told that I would have to source it out of the US. And Marmot ,By asking for suggestions I really was looking for help beyond the obvious"grab a phone book". Riknpat I saw a sculpture outside on the lawns at Wilkinson Steel here in vancouver (It is made out of Corten ) and the guys there said the same thing "about 25 years ago". I don't think at least in this part of the world "it is a common material" We have sourced products direct from the Orient before and I believe that Homer 's Anchor came from China (I think). I don't mind shipping it in from the states. From where my boat is moored it is only about 25 minutes to be in US waters. We are not far away was my point ,however Illinois is a bit far I was hoping to find a supplier in the Seattle area . Thanks again guys
Did you try Specialty Metals in Seattle? Ask for ASTM 588 And just as an aside, why do you need Corten for what I assume (maybe mistakenly) that you are looking at cropping and replacing small areas? It really doesn't have that many advantages over A36 in your application. Do you need it for the strength around the bow? Is thickness and weight a critical issue? It will rust and corrode just as nicely as mild steel on your hull.
Steel trouble Thanks Marmot Let me qualify this issue about Corten. I really do not know why I want Corten to as you say "crop and replace " small areas . What I should have asked is what type of steel should I use to repair some (hopefully small areas ) of my Roamer . I may mistakenly believe that I have to use it because it was built with that steel. I really do not know much about steel. I would appreciate any advice about what type to use for my repairs . You mention A36 . Maybe that is all I need .I just need some steel that will work . You are correct that they will all rust out especially in my salt water environment.It would be much better if I could get some easily obtainable steel for my repairs . So any suggestions as to alternatives to Cor-ten will be appreciated . I am one of those that is using and refitting a boat which always causes conversation around the dock but by no means am I "restoring it to original " as I have diesel engines and am changing the interior to be more fitting to our enjoyment and comfort on the boat . The exterior look of the roamer hull without the hardtop is one that I really think has a vintage quality and almost a supersized runabout look. I cannot afford the gas that almost all these roamers use . I run a fishing Resort in the summer and it is at least 350 miles from here and our other cruising grounds in the Broughton Archipelago are almost as far so we log a lot of hours . My point is that I am new to a steel boat but not new to boating .I signed up here to learn more and get some tips from the guys who "know" steel boats . Thanks for the Seattle tip although now if A36 is good enough ,my search is over. Thanks Marmot for making me rethink "why"
Here are some specs for you to consider. ASTM A588 is equivalent to Corten A. It is used where a good strength to weight is important (as in boatbuilding) and for the "controlled" rusting characteristic which appeals to architects and artists and for a while was attractive to boatbuilders who thought it would reduce the rate of corrosion, which it didn't. But it did allow them to build a lighter boat with a thinner plate that rusted through faster when they were lulled into thinking it would not corrode ... ASTM A588 A high strength low alloy steel plate used in structural applications such as buildings and bridges. It provides atmospheric corrosion resistance and longer life in applications where exposure to the elements will be a factor. Mechanical Properties: A 588 Tensile: Under 4” thick – 70 KSI minimum Yield: Under 4” thick – 50 KSI minimum Elongation: 16% minimum in 8” 19% minimum in 2” (for plate 24” and wider) ASTM A36 is common old garden variety mild steel. ASTM A36 A36 is one of the most common carbon steel plate grades. Mechanical Properties: Tensile: 58 to 80 KSI Yield: 36 KSI minimum Elongation: 18% minimum in 8” 21% minimum in 2” (for plate 24” and wider) AH36 is ABS certified steel for use on classed vessels. Unless you plan to put your Roamer into class, you don't need this stuff or the paperwork that comes with it. You can see that it is stronger, and its properties are closer to that of A588 and you may be able to find some suitable scraps and offcuts at a commercial shipyard for free or scrap price at most. AH 36 EH 36 These grades are used in the shipbuilding industry for the construction of structural parts of ships, barges and marine equipment. All grades are certified by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Mechanical Properties: Tensile: 70 to 90 KSI Yield: 51 KSI minimum Elongation: 17% minimum in 8” 20% minimum in 2”
Steel Wow!!! That might have made sense to you (Marine Engineer) too technical for me . So let me confirm ASTM588 is app the same as Corten as far as durability and longevity. And would it be a reasonable substitute for me to use or should I get the Corten? Is it worth the extra effort to ship in the Corten over the ASTM 588? I think I am starting to understand.
Sorry to confuse. I sent that just so you could see a comparison of the strength of the various steels appropriate for you to use. If it were my boat and I lived near Allied or Vancouver shipyards I would visit them and ask if they had any scraps or offcuts of AH or EH36 in the thickness you need (4 or 5mm?) that you can buy. I can't imagine you need much. The AH or EH36 will have the same strength as Corten for its thickness, but will not have the artistic rust feature of Corten. A36 is (may be) slightly less strong but for your application should not really matter. If you need more strength and can make thicker plate work, it will be cheap from a steel supplier and probably even available in your local home supply store if you don't mind paying for the convenience of getting little 12" X 36" pieces.
Hello I have changed 20m2 of the hull on our boat, you do not need to use corteen if you epoxy paint inside and out so it is quite ok Erik
Thanks everyboby for your suggestions . I have found the Corten Steel and it can be had within 4 days delivery time to me . For a 4'x8' sheet of 10 guage the price is $431.00 CDN. base on 5-10 sheet orders. I believe I will be using "standard"steel sheets available at only $100.00 per sheet and I will invest the saved money in better quality epoxy paint (Boy I hope I don't need to replate a lot). I will post the before /after pictures on this site as I have enjoyed seeing others posted here. We are getting ready to start at the end of April and we will be focusing on the hull to start . I also have to figure out how to post pics on this site as well . Captain B
Good decision I think. Have fun and make sure you post the before and after pics. Your best friends will soon be a mini-grinder and a blue wirefeed
Very sharp looking!!!! I love the flowing stripe around the molded swin platform....very custom looking.
