Carbon steel and stainless steel architectural structural profiles are widely used in architecture and civil engineering to create strong, durable and aesthetically appealing facades, both materials offer unique characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of applications.
What is the difference between stainless steel and carbon steel in structural facades?
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon and is known for its high mechanical strength. This type of steel is commonly used for structural profiles that require high strength and load-bearing capacity. Its versatility makes it possible to create various types of profiles, such as T-beams, L-beams or hollow sections. Carbon steel can be easily welded and
machined, which allows for custom shapes to meet specific project requirements.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, is an alloy of iron, carbon and chromium that gives the material high resistance to corrosion and rust. This characteristic makes it particularly suitable for applications in outdoor environments or those exposed to moisture or chemicals, such as coastal buildings, outdoor exhibition structures, or industrial environments, to name a few examples.
In addition to its corrosion resistance properties, stainless steel has also superior aesthetics and it is often chosen for architectural projects, such as bridges, building facades, or design structures, where aesthetic beauty plays an important role. Stainless steel profiles can be finished to achieve shiny, matte, or brushed surfaces, creating interesting and appealing visual effects.
Corner profiles for aesthetic facades: what is possible?
In the world of aesthetic facades today, true architectural miracles can be achieved thanks to structural profiles that over time have become increasingly customized to satisfy the architects’ unique designs. New technologies enabled this evolution of profiles’ complexity and made it possible to design, machine and assemble profiles for every need, aesthetic yes but above all structural.
Some of the projects in which we have been involved, such as the Hayward Library, best represent Montanstahl’s ability to adapt to every client request.
Steel front facade mullions have become a common standard, and they are generally built using T-sections or rectangular hollow sections.
More challenging sections are required to create corners in facades, where the mullion must have two sides to connect the glass panels.
What is meant by corner profiles for aesthetic facades?
When we talk about aesthetic facades we usually mean structural profiles such as hollow sections or T-profiles, but the greatest difficulty is found in the design of corners, where two sheets of glass touch at different angles. Whether they are 90 degrees or other radii, you need a specific laser welding technology that can allow this type of angle.
Montanstahl is a leader in the world laser welding, and as such, we sought to extend the limits of what is possible in the production of structural laser welded solutions, looking to realize increasingly complex profiles.
Hybrid 3D laser welding, which combines all the advantages of laser fusion with the flexibility of a 5-axis robot, is the answer!
In fact, this laser technology enables the production of extremely complex profiles thanks to a state-of-the-art machine that combines all the advantages of laser fusion with the flexibility of a 5-axis robot that works on 3 dimentions. Depending on the product properties required, the system selectively operates in Laser-alone or Laser-hybrid mode.
In the 3D laser-hybrid welding mode, an arc welding device (MIG/MAG) is added to the laser fusion flashlight, enhancing the properties of a conventionally arc-welded product.
With this technology, it is then possible to weld extremely elaborate profiles with angles other than 90°, suitable for any type of corner post designed by architects.
These angle profiles will act as connectors between the glazing, in fact on the sides that create the acute angle are applied the supports that hold the glazing allowing us to create corners at any angle on the exterior facades.