Corten steel is a high-strength and self-passivating alloy that contains percentages of copper-chromium-phosphorus: it is a versatile material with extraordinary structural and aesthetic properties. Its name derives from the abbreviation of two English terms that define its main characteristics: CORrosion resistance (corrosion resistance) and TENsile strength (tensile strength).

We start talking about Corten in 1933, the year in which it was patented by the United States Steel Corporation and the first use dates back to thirty years later, when the headquarters of John Deere and Co, in Illinois, was built on project by architect Eero Saarinen.

The characteristic of corten is the slow oxidation process it undergoes: in the course of about 12-18 months the metal releases dusty residues with the typical “rust” color, all facilitated by the presence of atmospheric agents. This is precisely what gives the metal the definition of "living metal". M.A.T. guarantees the complete naturalness of the material used, not applying products that can accelerate oxidation or alter its color and quality. It is a certified, recyclable and environmentally friendly material.

Today this metal is used in various fields such as construction, infrastructure but also in design and communication. In recent years it has been one of the trendiest materials for both indoor and outdoor use. From the creation of custom-made planters, as in our case, to street furniture elements, corten is a versatile and elegant material that adapts to any context.