What are Steel Shipping Containers Made of?

What type of steel are shipping containers made of? The corrugated wall panels, frame, cargo doors, and cross members of metal shipping containers are all made from corten steel. This special type of steel, also known as weathering steel, is the primary material in shipping containers.

Corten steel is distinguished from other types of steel in that it’s a group of steel alloys that were developed to eliminate the need for painting. Container manufacturers use this material because it possesses the physical properties that make it weldable and rust-resistant. In practice, rust resistance means that should a piece of paint chip off of the steel, a thin layer of rust will form at the surface but not go much deeper.

In addition to the main compartment of a shipping container, you may find additional shipping container components made from varying materials.