[TheForge] Re: Rust-resistance: Iron Pillar of Delhi

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

Years ago, IBM commisioned an architect to build an new building for 
them in Bethesda Maryland.   The architect had become very well know for 
a particular style of his.   He wrapped concrete structures in iron 
sheets( I believe Corten), that when exposed to the smog in NY, would 
take on a very mellow green brown patina that was quite distinctive and 
acttractive.   He followed the same process for the Bethesda building, 
unfortunaetly, several things conspired to frustrate his plans.  First, 
evidently the smog, or loack of it in Bethesda at that time did not 
produce the patina.  It did though produce prodigious quantities of 
ordinary rust.   Second, the contractor supposedly installed the sheets 
upside down so that moisture was directed between the sheets and the 
concrete wall.  The walls soon began toshed huge flakes of rust. To 
their distress,  IBM spent millions of dollars on a building that looked 
like an abandoned steel mill in no time.   It was universally known as 
the Rusty Bucket, and internal mail addressed to "The Rusty Bucket" 
would get there everytime.   I could catch a cab at the airport and give 
"The Rusty Bucket" as the address and get delivered there.   IBM removed 
the sheathing several years ago when they were preparing to sell it.  A 
famous building within IBM for its architecture and also because of an 
unfortunate shooting spree incident there.

Charles

Mike Spencer wrote:

>>CoreTen is a USS product. It is sold as a steel that develops a 
>>protective coating of rust" and will not corrode any further.
>>
>>Many sculptors found otherwise, plus it is impossible to restore once 
>>corrosion has propagated.
>>    
>>
>
>And it drools on whatever it sits on, leaving rusty stains.  Peter
>Happny showed me some great tall light poles in Portsmouth, NH that
>(he said) were made of Corten.  They were un-painted, rusty brown, a
>little gritty but not flakey, and there were lots of rust streaks and
>stains on the supporting concrete.  Of course, you could include the
>gradual staining in the planned design of a piece in some cases.  But
>not typically.
>
>- Mike
>
>  
>