Overview
Stainless steel is widely applied into bridge construction for its remarkable advantages such as corrosion resistance, high strength and aesthetic appeal. As introduced in previous articles where we talked about London’s Millennium Bridge, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and the Bridge of Aspiration, stainless steel can be used as both safety components, and structure components. This week we will introduce the advantages of using stainless steel in bridges.
The Upward Trend of Using Stainless Steel in Bridges
Stainless steel becomes popular in bridge construction for its durability, and ability to look neat despite year after year’s usage. There is no wonder that footbridges, motorway bridges, large- scale bridges, and even railway bridges are becoming more and more reliant on stainless steels.
Many award-winning bridges as mentioned above are metal bridges where stainless steel has played an important role. In recent years, stainless steel from China has become cost-efficient with enhanced quality, which no doubt promotes the upward trend of using stainless steel in bridges, let alone the intrinsic value stainless steel embodies on its own.
From the outset, stainless steel was primarily used as the accessories such as the bridge handrails and guardrails. 316L stainless steel tubes pipes are the mostly preferred material for the location of the bridges above the water. Overtime, the applications have increased exponentially, ranging from structural components like spines and suspension systems represented respectively by stainless steel profiles and stainless steel wire ropes, to reinforcing components like stainless steel flat bars and stainless steel plates.
Grade 316L and 2205 are still the most popular stainless steel materials applied in bridge construction. 316L is known as marine material for its resistance to seawater corrosion. 2205 is known as duplex stainless steel, “duplex” in that it has the corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel like 316L meanwhile it has the high strength like ferritic stainless steel, roughly 1.35 times higher than that of 316L. 2205 has better comprehensive performance and is more costly than 316L, but the price can limit the use of it.
Advantages of Using Stainless Steel in Bridges
Stainless steel embodies the unique advantages that other metals don’t possess. When it comes to bridge construction, the advantages are listed as below.
- • Durability. Stainless steel is stainless because it can resist corrosion from harsh environments. As said, 316L or 2205 are the most frequent stainless steel materials applied in bridge construction, the materials can protect the bridge from corrosion of seawater and acid rain or other pollutants.
- • Eco-friendliness. Stainless steel materials are recyclable. Besides, stainless steel produces less carbon during production than aluminum. Above all, it necessitates less maintenance than other metals for its corrosion resistance ability.
- • Optimal Strength-to-Weight Ratio. Stainless steel is not as light as aluminum but boasts higher strength, especially suitable for making bridge structures. The optimal strength to weight ratio can save cost by using less material without compromise on structural integrity or bridge function.
- • Aesthetic appeal. Stainless steel can be processed into different shapes and finishings to meet design purpose. They can be embossed or polished to enhance aesthetic appeal. Follow us and we will elaborate more on this with more cases introduced for weeks to come.
Stainless Steel at CIVMATS
CIVMATS produce stainless steel materials since 1989 and export since 2016. We have accumulated a lot of experience in stainless steel production and applications. Our stainless steel materials can be customized into varied shapes, sizes and grades per your specific demands. If you are looking for reliable and professional stainless steel manufacturer and supplier from China, we are here for you as your long-term valuable choice.
