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Utility poles and towers in weathering steel: long-lasting, with lower environmental impacts

SSAB Weathering steel, compliant with the EN 10219 and the EN 10025-5 standards, provides a more sustainable, long-lasting corrosion resistance for telecommunication towers, power transmission towers, and electric utility poles.

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Heavy duty corrosion resistance – with lower embedded CO2 – for electric poles and towers

With no galvanizing or painting required – ever – SSAB Weathering steel delivers a more sustainable corrosion resistance solution for your towers and utility poles. SSAB Weathering steel lowers CO2 emissions throughout the production process, as well as during service by eliminating the need to recoat. Unlike galvanized steel, there is no zinc run-off and the patina color blends in well in both natural and city settings.

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Icon of electrical pole

3 reasons why SSAB Weathering can be optimal for poles, masts, and towers

Protective patina layer

  • SSAB Weathering steel forms a tight, dense patina layer to resist corrosion in typical application environments – but without galvanizing’s CO2 emissions.
  • The patina self-repairs scratches, so there’s no need to coat surface damage incurred during transit or installation.
 

Reduced emissions means increased sustainability

  • No galvanizing means lower CO2 emissions, reduced handling, and a speedier supply chain.
  • A more sustainable source than steel from suppliers with lower environmental standards.
  • Long service life: see Tested Performance below.

Greater design freedom

  • Our range of 355 to 960 MPa (YS) weathering steels allows for innovative designs of transmission towers and poles.
  • High-strength SSAB Weathering steels are lighter yet strong.
    • Reduces transportation costs to installation site.
    • Easier to install on challenging terrains.
 

Lowers CO2 emissions by at least 120 kg for every tonne of steel

Galvanizing 8mm thick steel with an 85-micron (μm) coating can add 120 kg CO2e to every tonne, before factoring in added transportation to galvanizing facilities. To further reduce CO2e, check out our steels with virtually zero fossil carbon emission.

SSAB Zero™ steel SSAB Fossil-free™ steel
Source : VTT-CR-05247-14, Weatherproof of steel plates corrosion research in 2014, Leena Carpen , VTT Technical Research Center of Finland.

Performance tested – in harsh Finnish weather

Cumulative corrosion loss – as measured over 32 years on bridges in Finland – demonstrates the superior corrosion resistance of SSAB Weathering steels.

Hot Dip Galvanized steel vs. SSAB Weathering steel

Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461) SSAB Weathering
Long service life (C3:40-100+ EN ISO 14713-1, 85µm). Long service life (*C3: 50–100+).
Suitable for corrosion classes C2–C5. Suitable for corrosion classes C2–C4 (not C5).
Requires galvanizing. No need to coat with either zinc or paint.
Potential for zinc run-off. “Rust” run-off is minimal and within drinking water requirements1.
Possibility of coating damage. No coating to damage during transportation and installation. Patina self-repairs any surface scratches over time.
Suitable for high salt environments. Not suitable for high salt environments.
Suitable for submerging in the ground, often with thicker galvanizing or other additional protection. Can be submerged with additional protection or with a corrosion allowance added.
Fewer design rules. Joints need to be either tightly bolted or ventilated (bolted with ventilation gaps). Avoid structures which collect water.
Industrial grayish look. Natural color and appearance.
Additional process step.  Reduced lead time as hot-dip galvanization is unnecessary. 
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Long service life (C3:40-100+ EN ISO 14713-1, 85µm).
SSAB Weathering
Long service life (*C3: 50–100+).
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Suitable for corrosion classes C2–C5.
SSAB Weathering
Suitable for corrosion classes C2–C4 (not C5).
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Requires galvanizing.
SSAB Weathering
No need to coat with either zinc or paint.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Potential for zinc run-off.
SSAB Weathering
“Rust” run-off is minimal and within drinking water requirements1.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Possibility of coating damage.
SSAB Weathering
No coating to damage during transportation and installation. Patina self-repairs any surface scratches over time.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Suitable for high salt environments.
SSAB Weathering
Not suitable for high salt environments.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Suitable for submerging in the ground, often with thicker galvanizing or other additional protection.
SSAB Weathering
Can be submerged with additional protection or with a corrosion allowance added.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Fewer design rules.
SSAB Weathering
Joints need to be either tightly bolted or ventilated (bolted with ventilation gaps). Avoid structures which collect water.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Industrial grayish look.
SSAB Weathering
Natural color and appearance.
Hot-dip galvanized (ISO 1461)
Additional process step. 
SSAB Weathering
Reduced lead time as hot-dip galvanization is unnecessary. 
 1 “The released amounts [of elements] are found to be lower compared with the corresponding levels recommended by the World Health Organisation for drinking water.” Source. 

Application considerations for weathering steel for power line poles and towers

Wetting-drying cycles

Weather-resistant steel requires a variation of conditions between wetting and drying

  • Avoid structural details that can collect moisture and dirt.
  • Avoid contact with the ground and vegetation.
  • Submergence must be taken into account in design.

Distance from coast

Chlorides can destroy the protective patina layer

  • In the Baltic Sea, due to its low salt content, it is sufficient to avoid splashes.
  • In the ocean, at least 1 km from the coast, depending on the location.
  • In a strong chloride environment, the corrosion rate of weathering steel is equivalent to unalloyed carbon steel.

Road salt

Chlorides can destroy the protective patina layer

  • Continuous use of road salt is a risk.
  • Weather-resistant steel can be used in the vicinity of rarely salted road sections. 
  • Washing after the winter season or advanced salt mixtures can reduce the harmful effects of road salt. 

Weathering steel for telecom towers and masts

Cell tower companies looking for durable corrosion resistance and lower embedded CO2 emissions in their masts can take advantage of SSAB Weathering steels’ galvanizing alternative. Another advantage: the muted presence of the patinated, weathered steel helps the telecom mast visually blend better into its surroundings.

Electrical pole

  • SSAB’s Weathering steel is perfect material for nature

    First transmission line made from SSAB Weathering steel was installed from Ylitornio to Liakka over ten years ago. Line is 57 kilometers long and has 222 poles and it is owned by TLS Verkko OY. SSAB delivered SSAB Weathering steel tubes to the project and VK-Electric built the line for TLS Verkko Oy.

  • WEATHERING STEEL IN THE GRADES AND SHAPES YOU NEED

    Weathering steel in the grades and shapes you need

    The SSAB Weathering portfolio includes a wide range of heavy plate, hot and cold rolled strip, tube and sections with yield strength from 345 to 960 MPa.

  • Calculate your CO2 savings

    If you choose to use Weathering steel without painting, you will save dioxide emissions. If painting, you still have reduced CO2 emissions because you would not have to repaint the steel as often as you would with a regular carbon steel.

  • corrosion steel

    Guide to weathering steel

    High strength, low alloy weldable structural steel with exceptional corrosion resistance.