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A comment on A shift in China to less toxic coatings for containers increases shipping costs. Parent comment

Re:A shift in China to less toxic coatings for containers in... by tesseract on Tuesday June 27, 2017 @12:54AM (#14642670)
My understanding is that shipping containers are usually made of COR-TEN steel, which forms a protective layer when it does rust (similar to the protective oxide layers that form on aluminum and stainless steel). But considering the containers are exposed to sea salt spray pretty much continuously, it makes sense that the additional protection of a coat of paint is necessary.
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Re:A shift in China to less toxic coatings for containers in... by CalChris on Tuesday June 27, 2017 @01:51AM (#14642845)
No, that's not going to work.

CLIMATES NOT TO USE COR-TEN®:

COR-TEN® steel requires alternating wet and dry cycles to form a properly adhered protective layer. Areas that have salt laden air, high rainfall, humidity, or persistent fog are typically not the proper environment for COR-TEN®.

http://www.corten.com/frequently-asked-questions.html

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Re:A shift in China to less toxic coatings for containers in... by Animats on Tuesday June 27, 2017 @02:41AM (#14642979)
Aware of that one. The trail bridge at Pilarcitos Creek on the California Coastal Trail in Half Moon Bay was made of unpainted Cor-Ten steel. That will not last in the coastal zone, where it never dries out. The bridge collapsed when park staff drove a tractor across it.[1] No injuries, but the heavily used trail was out for most of two years.

The new bridge is made of marine-grade aluminum.

[1] http://www.hmbreview.com/news/groundbreaking-for-coastal-tra...

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Re:A shift in China to less toxic coatings for containers in... by givemefive on Tuesday June 27, 2017 @01:12AM (#14642730)
even if the containers are made with corten, it's not good for sea. The protective rust keeps getting washed off by the rain and the salt is too much for it to handle. Ends up rusting just as bad..
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