A weathering-resistant steel alloy containing copper and chromium that develops a protective oxide coating, also called Corten steel or weathering steel.
From the contraction of 'COR' (core) + 'TEN' (tensile), a registered trademark name created by U.S. Steel in the 1930s. The name emphasizes the material's corrosion resistance and tensile strength.
Architects absolutely love Corten/Corton steel because it rusts just enough on the surface to form a protective 'patina' that stops deeper corrosion—it's like the material sacrifices a tiny bit to protect itself, a strategy borrowed directly from nature.
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