What are the grades of steel bars?

From Home to Dams, TMT Steel Bars have undoubtedly become a preeminent material for the construction process of every building structure. 

With the increased demand for TMT steel bars in the market, It is crucial to keep the information handy from trusted manufacturers of TMT steel bars to avoid being subjected to fraudulent practices. Best quality TMT steel bars possess features such as corrosion and rust resistance for increased lifetime etc. 

Let us look at different grades of TMT Steel Bars and how they differ in their applications.

TMT Steel Bar Grades Manufactured in India

Fe-415, Fe-500, Fe-550, and Fe-600 are the four different types of TMT steel bar grades produced by TMT steel bar manufacturers in India. 

The different grades of the steel bar indicate its strength and rigidity factors. The number denoted the force that needs to be applied in order to deform or modify the steel bars for various purposes.

Smaller grades of bars are used for small constructions such as homes whereas the higher grades are used for heavy construction such as multistory buildings, bridges and even dams etc. 

Higher grades of TMT steel bars are also used for building the core of structures for strong flooring, roofs etc. Railing and other decorative structures are built with smaller grades of steel bars as they do not demand high strength and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. 

One would require different grades of TMT steel bars for different areas of applications while constructing a building. 

Grades of TMT Steel Bars & Its Applications  

• FE 415 GRADE

Fe 415 grade TMT steel bars possess higher elongation properties and are economically feasible making them the best choice for small constructions. They are preferred for areas prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes. It comes with corrosion resistant properties.

• FE 500 GRADE

Fe-500 grade TMT steel bars are known for their versatility making them the ideal choice for underground constructions and multi-story buildings. They have good stability and elasticity and provide high seismic security from earthquakes and other natural calamities.

• FE 550 GRADE

Fe-500 grade TMT steel bars have higher tensile strength and are put into applications where Fe-500 grade becomes a little difficult to manage. Examples of Fe-550 grade applications are marine constructions.  

• FE 600 GRADE

FE 600 grade TMT steel bars have the highest Tensile to yield strength, ductility and elongation compared to all other grades of  TMT steel bars. This grade of TMT steel bars comes into use for heavy constructions that require maximum strength and durability that lasts for a lifetime and withstand harsh weather conditions and earthquakes. 

Different Grades of TMT Steel Bars provided by Kairali TMT

We are committed to bringing the best quality TMT steel bars to our loyal customers through a cutting-edge manufacturing process. Different types of TMT steel bars provided by TMT steel bars are Fe-415, Fe-500, Fe-550 and Fe-600. Reach out to our TMT steel bar experts to decide on which TMT steel bar to choose for your dream construction to ensure its strength and durability.

FAQ

Difference between FE 500 & FE 500D?

500 and 500D in Fe-500 and Fe-500D denoted the minimum yield strength of each steel bar respectively. Fe500D TMT bars have greater ductile strength than the Fe500 TMT bars even though the tensile strength remains unchanged. The Fe500D can be deformed easily by undergoing stress compared to Fe-500.

How many grades of steel bars are there?

There are 4 grades of TMT steel bars available in the Indian Market. Fe-415, Fe-500, FE-550, Fe-600 are them.

Which grade in steel bar is best?

Different grades of steel bars serve different purposes. It is classified based on its strength and ductility. It is wiser to get the opinion of TMT steel bars expert to decide on which steel bar is the most favourable for your construction purpose. 

What is TMT bar grade?

Different grades of TMT steel bar grades available are Fe-415, Fe-500, FE-550 and Fe-600. Fe stands for Iron and the number followed by it indicates its ductility power which means the amount of stress required to bend the bar into different shapes. Higher the number, higher the grade and therefore stronger TMT steel bars.

Which grade is used for home construction?

Fe-415 is the economically feasible and common choice of home construction. But if you wish to make your house extra secure and safe from seismic conditions, we recommend Fe-500 grades for home construction.

Which grade is used for heavy construction?

The higher the grade, the stronger the TMT steel bars are. For heavy construction, It is wise to only choose the higher grade of TMT steel bars such as Fe-600 because here, we are looking for construction that stays durable for a lifetime and withstands harsh weather conditions.

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What is Rebar?

Steel reinforcement bars or rebars are used to improve the tensile strength of the concrete, since concrete is very weak in tension, but is strong in compression. Steel is only used as rebar because elongation of steel due to high temperatures (thermal expansion coefficient) nearly equals to that of concrete.

Grades of Rebar in Different Codes

Table 1: Grades of Rebar in Different Codes American Standard (ASTM A 615) Euro Standard(DIN 488) British Standard BS4449: 1997 Indian Standard (IS: 1786) Grade 75 (520) BST 500 S GR 460 A Grade Fe – 415, Fe – 500, Fe – 500D Grade 80 (550) BST 500 M GR 460 B Grade Fe – 550

Types of Steel Reinforcement Bars

1. Mild Steel Bar

The surface of the mild steel bars are plain and round in shape. They are available in various sizes of 6 mm to 50 mm. They are used in concrete for special purposes, such as dowels at expansion joints, where bars must slide in a metal or paper sleeve, for contraction joints in roads and runways, and for column spirals. They are easy to cut and bend without damage.

For structural buildings like bridges and other heavy structures, mild steel bar is not recommended due to no great bonding between concrete and steel, slippage and strength.

Grades in mild steel bars

• Mild steel bars grade-I designated as Fe 410-S or Grade 60.
• Mild steel bars grade-II designated as Fe-410-o or Grade 40.

2. Medium Tensile Steel Bars designated as Fe- 540-w-ht or Grade 75.

Physical Requirement of Mild Steel Bars

Table 2:Physical Requirement of Mild Steel Bars Types of Nominal size of bar Ultimate Tensile Stress in N/mm2 Yield Stress N/mm2 Elongation Percentage min Mild Steel Grade I or Grade 60 For Bars upto 20mm 410 250 23 For Bars above 20mm upto 50mm 410 240 23 Mild Steel Grade II or Grade 40 For Bars upto 20mm 370 225 23 For Bars above 20mm upto 50mm 370 215 23 Medium Tensile Steel Grade -75 For Bars upto 16mm 540 350 20 For Bars above 16mm upto 32mm 540 340 20 For Bars above 32mm upto 50mm 510 330 20  

1. Mild Steel Bars2. Medium Tensile Steel Bars designated as Fe- 540-w-ht or Grade 75.

2. Deformed Steel Bar

Deformed steel bars have ribs, lugs and indentation on the surface of the bar, which reduces the major problem that is faced by mild steel bar due to slippage and good bonding is achieved between concrete and rebar. The tensile properties is higher compared to other rebars. These bars are produced in sections from 6 mm to 50 mm dia.

Types of Deformed Steel Bars

1. TMT Bars (Thermo Mechanically Treated Bars)

Thermo Mechanically Treated Bars are hot treated bars that are high in strength used in reinforced cement concrete (RCC) work. It is the latest induction in the MS steel bars with superior properties such as strength, ductility, welding ability, bending ability and highest quality standards at international level.

Characteristics of TMT Rebars

• Better ductility and malleability
• High yield strength and toughness
• More bonding strength
• Earthquake resistance
• Corrosion resistance
• High thermal resistance
• Economical and safe in use
• No loss in strength at welded joints
• Ordinary electrodes used for welding the joints

2. High Strength Deformed Bars

High strength deformed bars are cold twisted steel bars with lugs, ribs, projection or deformation on the surface. It the extensively and majorly used for reinforcement purposes in a construction. These bars are produced in sizes or sections from 4 mm to 50 mm in diameter.

Characteristics of HSD Rebar

• Low carbon value - HSD Bars have lower carbon level, resulting in good ductility, strength and welding ability.
• Superior bonding strength - HSD bars are well known for their excellent bonding strength when used with concrete.
• Welding capability - Since these bars have lower carbon content, they have 100% welding capability than conventional bars.
• High tensile strength - HSD bars feature high tensile strength. They offer great asset in construction process, where a lot of bending and re bending is required.
• Wide application range - These bars have wide application range like in building residential, commercial and industrial structures, bridges, etc.
• Satisfactorily malleability - Minimum weight and maximum strength and suitable for both compression and tension reinforcement.

High strength deformed bars are cold twisted steel bars with lugs, ribs, projection or deformation on the surface. It the extensively and majorly used for reinforcement purposes in a construction. These bars are produced in sizes or sections from 4 mm to 50 mm in diameter.

3. Other Types of Rebars

Depending upon the type of material used in the production of rebar, different types of rebars are

1. European Rebar

European rebar is made of manganese, which makes them bend easily. They're not suitable for use in areas that are prone to extreme weather conditions or geological effects, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes. The cost of this rebar is low.

2. Carbon Steel Rebar

As the name represents, it is made up of carbon steel and is commonly known as Black Bar due to carbon colour. The main drawback of this rebar is that it corrodes, which adversely effect the concrete and structure.  The tensile strength ratio coupled with the value makes black rebar one of the best choices.

3. Epoxy-Coated Rebar

Epoxy-coated rebar is black rebar with an epoxy coat. It has the same tensile strength, but is 70 to 1,700 times more resistant to corrosion. However, the epoxy coating is incredibly delicate. The greater the damage to the coating, the less resistant to corrosion.

4. Galvanized Rebar

Galvanized rebar is only forty times more resistant to corrosion than black rebar, but it is more difficult to damage the coating of galvanized rebar. In that respect, it has more value than epoxy-coated rebar. However, it is about 40% more expensive than epoxy-coated rebar.

5. Glass-Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (GFRP)

GFRP is made up of carbon fibre. As it is made up of fibre, bending is not allowed. It is very resistant to corrosion and is costly when compared to other rebars.

6. Stainless Steel Rebar

Stainless steel rebar is the most expensive reinforcing bar available, about eight times the price of epoxy-coated rebar. It is also the best rebar available for most projects. However, using stainless steel in all but the most unique of circumstances is often overkill. But, for those who have a reason to use it, stainless steel rebar 1,500 times more resistant to corrosion than black bar; it is more resistant to damage than any of the other corrosive-resistant or corrosive-proof types or rebar; and it can be bent in the field.

European rebar is made of manganese, which makes them bend easily. They're not suitable for use in areas that are prone to extreme weather conditions or geological effects, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes. The cost of this rebar is low.As the name represents, it is made up of carbon steel and is commonly known as Black Bar due to carbon colour. The main drawback of this rebar is that it corrodes, which adversely effect the concrete and structure. The tensile strength ratio coupled with the value makes black rebar one of the best choices.Epoxy-coated rebar is black rebar with an epoxy coat. It has the same tensile strength, but is 70 to 1,700 times more resistant to corrosion. However, the epoxy coating is incredibly delicate. The greater the damage to the coating, the less resistant to corrosion.Galvanized rebar is only forty times more resistant to corrosion than black rebar, but it is more difficult to damage the coating of galvanized rebar. In that respect, it has more value than epoxy-coated rebar. However, it is about 40% more expensive than epoxy-coated rebar.GFRP is made up of carbon fibre. As it is made up of fibre, bending is not allowed. It is very resistant to corrosion and is costly when compared to other rebars.Stainless steel rebar is the most expensive reinforcing bar available, about eight times the price of epoxy-coated rebar. It is also the best rebar available for most projects. However, using stainless steel in all but the most unique of circumstances is often overkill. But, for those who have a reason to use it, stainless steel rebar 1,500 times more resistant to corrosion than black bar; it is more resistant to damage than any of the other corrosive-resistant or corrosive-proof types or rebar; and it can be bent in the field.

Steel reinforcement bars or rebars are used to improve the tensile strength of the concrete, since concrete is very weak in tension, but is strong in compression. Steel is only used as rebar because elongation of steel due to high temperatures (thermal expansion coefficient) nearly equals to that of concrete.Major types of steel bars used in the construction are as follows,The surface of the mild steel bars are plain and round in shape. They are available in various sizes of 6 mm to 50 mm. They are used in concrete for special purposes, such as dowels at expansion joints, where bars must slide in a metal or paper sleeve, for contraction joints in roads and runways, and for column spirals. They are easy to cut and bend without damage.