The ocean freight industry requires a tough product and a resilient method to carry goods across the world. Steel shipping containers must withstand extremely harsh elements during transport. Due to a relatively porous oxide layer, traditional steel holds moisture which causes corrosion when exposed to air or water. In the 1930’s, a company called United States Steel Corporation developed a weather-resisting compound used in the manufacturing of steel to give the material corrosion resistant qualities. This became known as weathering steel, or Cor-Ten.If you are interested in a shipping container rental for portable storage or other uses, Container Alliance has several Corten steel container options. Contact a representative to discuss all shipping container specifications and container conditions.

Cor-Ten or typically called corten steel is alloyed steel mixed with other types of metals that reacts to oxygen like other non-porous metals. When exposed to air or water, corten steel forms a layer of oxidation that prevents further corrosion. The surface of the steel will become dis-colored like brass and copper, and may have the look of corrosive rust, but this is actually a protective layer.

Corten steel was initially used in Intermodal Coal Transport, and proved to be effective in the harsh environments of rail yards and coal mines. The shipping industry started to utilize the compound around 1972 to manufacture steel cargo containers that could maintain structural integrity in tough conditions. Since the 1990s, Corten steel has become the standard in modern container manufacturing and the majority of shipping containers for sale are built from Cor-ten steel.

Following the success of Corten steel storage containers in the shipping industry, savvy industrial engineers started to use the weathering steel in bridges and other commercial construction. The development of Corten steel has had a massive impact on global cargo transport, and now the structure of cities since the longer the steel lasts the better.

If you are interested in containers for rent, Container Alliance has several Corten steel container options. Contact a representative to discuss all shipping container specifications and container conditions.

Corten Steel - The Strength of Shipping Containers

With the ability to withstand extremely harsh conditions, Corten steel has become the standard in shipping container manufacturing.