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Neilhoh · 19-11-2014, 21:11

Hello all,
My first post on this illustrious website.
Am in the research phase of buying my first yacht.
Have come across a steely that is quite appealing, although my preference would be GRP It is said to be constructed of Austenitic Alloyed steel. The very pleasant owner says the material is magnetic, indicating a fair amount of iron, but also contains some copper. Apart from that he has no specification or further idea of the molecular makeup of the material.
Although the boat is 26 old, it quite appealing from many points.
But after Googling around and reading a few confusing scientific papers and graphs etc on steel composition am still confused as to the pros and cons of Austenitic Alloyed steel.
Does anyone have a layman's explanation that they would care to share.

model 10 · 19-11-2014, 22:07

Corten Steel is popular boat building material with copper in it.

Neilhoh · 19-11-2014, 22:54

Thanks Guy. Will consult Google Engineering for that too.

Reefmagnet · 20-11-2014, 02:25

Yes Corten is most probably the material type the boat is fabricated from and this is also known as "weathering steel". It is a steel designed for structural use that withstands weathering corrosion. As an example, Sydney Tower is made of a grade of the stuff and is unpainted and almost has an anodised appearance despite it's nearly 40 years of age.

Neilhoh · 20-11-2014, 06:04

Thanks. Yes, that is starting to seem the case. Initial research of "Corten" steel suggests that it looses it non-rusting ability, for want of better term, if painted other than very meticulously, as it needs air to form the initial corrosion barrier that I think you refer to. Seller does indicate that he has been meticulous with maintenance of the hull and other aspects but am feeling maybe I would be better off with a material less "spooky" for my first yacht. Yet, he doesn't refer to it as Corten or weathering steel. The advert for it doesn't mention the copper component, but he he did in discussion.

**HappyMdRSailor** · 20-11-2014, 06:35

Neil,

Investigation of providence seems your best course.... Manufacturer, or if home built...

Barring that...
The following is in the US...
You CAN.... for a few hundred bucks plus "service call" probably have a guy come out with a spectrophotometer (or Xdiff/XF) to give you the exact alloy composition... OR... If a small coupon sample were to be taken from the boat, $80ish...

BUT.... the boat has lasted 26 yrs... SO it's probably pretty good stuff!

Reefmagnet · 20-11-2014, 06:59

Corten requires specialized consumables, techniques and skill to weld so it's unlikely to have been built by a numpty.

model 10 · 20-11-2014, 07:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neilhoh

Thanks. Yes, that is starting to seem the case. Initial research of "Corten" steel suggests that it looses it non-rusting ability, for want of better term, if painted other than very meticulously, as it needs air to form the initial corrosion barrier that I think you refer to. Seller does indicate that he has been meticulous with maintenance of the hull and other aspects but am feeling maybe I would be better off with a material less "spooky" for my first yacht. Yet, he doesn't refer to it as Corten or weathering steel. The advert for it doesn't mention the copper component, but he he did in discussion.

How about Monel? That would be an amazing thing.