Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Metals) has created a new corrosion-resistant steel with tin (Sn) that can be used in salt-containing environments or cold climates where anti-freezing agents are sprayed. Bridges constructed with this new steel are expected to experience lengthier intervals between repaints, reducing repainting workload. Upon discovering that adding a trace of tin (Sn) to steel could significantly improve corrosion resistance in high salt-containing environments, the company was able to develop a new corrosion-resistant steel with tin added. As the new steel demonstrates high corrosion-resistant performance with no coating, its application for bridges with no coating is also being studied. Sumitomo Metals will conduct further studies on the longer duration between repaints and maintenance and the simplification of repainting work.
