stainless and cor-ten steels

[noodle]

Hi,

I'm an architect with a query - I hope this is ok. Are there any bi-metallic issues with using stainless steel and cor-ten steel together? As they are both steel I would have thought not but I thought I'd check to be sure. The situation is stainless steel lettering mounted onto cor-ten as external signage.

Thanks.

[Gordon]

Hi Noodle

to the Surface Engineering Forum.

I'm not sure if there are any significant bi-metallic corrosion issues between stainless steel and weathering steels. I know weathering steels basically rely on being uncoated and forming a stable rust/patina protective surface. Interference with the formation/ageing of a stable protective film can render it being no better than normal steel i.e. pointless choosing cor-ten if you plan to paint it.

I think a more important consideration will be how you plan to attach the stainless steel lettering. Avoid forming any crevices where moisture and dirt can build-up.

http://www.steelbridges.org/pdfs/Weathering.pdf