ASTM A588 (Corten) vs C55E: 29% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ASTM A588 (Corten) vs C55E
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ASTM A588 (Corten)
High-strength low-alloy weathering steel. Forms a stable protective rust patina eliminating the need for paint. Cu-Cr-Ni-V composition provides 4-8x atmospheric corrosion resistance vs carbon steel. Used for unpainted bridges, architectural facades, sculptures, outdoor structures, and freight cars.
C55E
1.1203
High-carbon unalloyed Q&T steel — 0.52-0.60% C. Modern designation for Ck55. Good strength after Q&T (UTS 800-950 MPa) and excellent surface hardness after induction hardening (HRC 56-60). Used for rail wheels, crankshafts, heavy-duty shafts, and wear parts.
| ASTM A588 (Corten) | C55E | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | 1.1203 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | ASTM A588 | EN 10083-2 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | ASTM A588 (Corten) | C55E | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.19% | 0.52–0.6% | No overlap |
| Si | 0.3–0.65% | 0–0.4% | Partial |
| Mn | 0.8–1.25% | 0.6–0.9% | Partial |
| P | 0–0.04% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | ASTM A588 (Corten) | C55E | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | ≥ 485 | 800–950 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 345 | 500–600 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 18 | 12–16 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
ASTM A588 (Corten) and C55E have significantly different compositions (29% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASTM A588 (Corten) the same as C55E?
ASTM A588 (Corten) and C55E have a 29% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ASTM A588 (Corten) with C55E?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (29% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ASTM A588 (Corten) and C55E?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Si, Mn. ASTM A588 (Corten) is a Carbon Steel grade, while C55E is a Carbon Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.