Corten steel owes its name to the abbreviations "cor" (corrosion resistant) and "ten" (tensile strength). The material consists of iron to which chromium, silicon, nickel, phosphorus and copper have been added. Corten steel is a strong, durable material. It has a long service life and is recyclable. It's a weatherproof steel. A typical feature of this material is its rusty colour. Corten steel provides a warm, unique changing effect. The white material evolves from a warm orange to a reddish-brown colour when exposed to the natural elements. It takes about 6 to 18 months, depending on the weather conditions, until the final oxide layer is formed. Thanks to this layer, the underlying material is protected against further rust because oxide is no longer able to reach it. Attention: be aware of the surface on which you place the material during the initial period of the rust process. In the beginning, the material can leave 'traces of rust'.