“Modern” metals in building heritage: performance in outdoor applications

Abstract

Metallic materials of the 20th century exhibit physical properties and corrosion resistance with interest for architecture, having in this scope a wide range of applications. However, they are subject to degradation, often associated with the conditions of use and
environmental exposure. The consequences of which, range from aesthetic changes to the loss of functionality of the respective components. In this article, we describe the typical behavior of several metallic materials commonly used in buildings, when used in exterior architectural components, correlating it with atmospheric corrosivity and ways of use. The set of information gathered aimed to contribute for an adequate selection of the metals apply in future works.