CORTEN

In 1933, U.S. Steels launched a new self-passivating steel, defined as “weathering steel”, with copper, chromium and phosphorus as allegiance, to date considered one of the most important materials with high mechanical strength. The name “cor-ten” derives, in fact, from two words that define its main characteristics: “Corrosion resistance” and “Tensile strength”, that is, high resistance to corrosion and mechanics. The good resistance of Cor-Ten to atmospheric corrosion is due to the formation of a relatively stable superficial patina, protective adherent, which, in addition to the corrosion resistance, gives the metal particular chromatic characteristics: the color in fact varies, during oxidation, from an initial orange up to a reddish-brown color. All this has always made and still makes Cor-Ten particularly appreciated for architectural and artistic applications; so much so that the first important application as structural steel in construction dates back to 1964 with the construction of the John Deere and Co. headquarters in Illinois, designed by architect Eero Saarinen. However, the environmental conditions to which Cor-Ten is exposed (in particular dry/wet cycles and the presence of aggressive pollutants) and its geometry of exposure (pouring rain, in sheltered conditions, possible presence of stagnation) can significantly affect its performance; moreover, its use in closed spaces is not indicated, where there is water stagnation or exposure in marine environments. In fact, the particular consequences that the exposure and oxidation of this material arise over time, which means a real bleeding and washing away of the material on the underlying surfaces, have given life to the Materici™ effects, which therefore represent the method of reproduction more particularly appreciated by internationally recognized brands, architects and designers, and which perfectly reproduces the numerous light-dark shades and the natural material of which they are protagonists.

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The brand-new series of finishings called Materici™ by Molteni Vernici is composed by a surprising palette of colorations and varnishes characterized from an amazing aesthetic impact and a very high chemical and physical resistance, able to give any support made of metal, plastic, MDF, wood or composites, the aspect of the most natural metallic oxidations. Characterized from an extremely alive aesthetic and tactile aspect, these finishings do not appear as flat and uniform shades, but as real natural oxidations worked by the time. The realization of these oxidized finishings is not carried out through complex manual works, but, thanks to a new technology patented by the Laboratories Molteni Vernici, it gets in a natural and automatic way by spraying on the surface to treat. Just for this reason, the Materici™ effects can be considered as a real industrial series of liquid varnishes for the world of architecture, design and contract. Materici™ are applicable both on small and big workpieces, for both indoor and outdoor employments. Applicable by pneumatic or electrostatic spraying, they are highly resistant against aging, usury, weather, chemical agents and salt haze, according to the most required international standards, thanks to the employment of nanoceramic protectives as final coat of the entire applicative cycle. Available in all color variations throughout the catalog or customized on sample MTM (Made to Measure)

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The finishing Materico™ Corten represents a varnish able to give any support made of metal and metal alloys, plastic polymers, MDF, wood and composites, with the aspect of the most natural oxidation of the real corten steel. The particular feature of the Materico™ Corten effect is to reproduce the bright color belonging to the metallic alloy through its light and dark shades in a very natural way, thanks to the employment of new and patented technologies carried out from the Laboratory of Research and Development by Molteni Vernici. The finishing Materico™ Corten gives every surface the alive, materic and tactile aspect of the real corten steel, compensating at the same time all chemical and physical limits belonging to the natural steel (as a matter of fact, the finishing Materico™ Corten does not release dust iron oxide). Product with a very high adhesion, non-yellowing, with a captivating and non-uniform visual aspect, Materico™ Corten can be applied both for indoor and outdoor workpieces. Highly resistant against usury, aging, chemical substances, cleaning products, food, thermal shocks, salt corrosion. The finishing Materico™ Corten presents itself throughout the international market in the color variation A, for an extremely orange shade, in the color variation B, for a classical and natural coloration, and finally in the color variation C, in order to reach the most brown dyes belonging to the very last steps of the natural oxidation.

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Materico™ Corten is a 2k two-component varnish, able to confer any support made on iron, steel, black iron, drawn iron, zinc iron, brass, bronze, silver, aluminum, aluminum alloys, zama, ABS, polycarbonate, polyamide, charged nylon, polyurethane, complex plastic polymers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, MDF, wood (through the employment of specific primers) the aspect of the most natural oxidation of the real corten steel, giving at the same time a particular movement to all those supports which due to their chemical and physical nature cannot get oxidized. The effect Materico™ Corten does not release any powder of iron oxide.

Materico™ Corten is a covering painting cycle applicable exclusively by spraying, with a complete drying by air at 20°C for a minimum of 24 hrs, by oven at 60°C for 1 hr and at 120°C for 30’. Its natural texture and its great resistance allow the treatment of any surface or support, also with complex atmospheric conditions.

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