Have you ever visited a building under construction? If yes, then you must have seen some metal rods being used; those are what we call Thermo-Mechanically Treated bars, or in short, TMT bars. But what if we told you that there is more than one type of TMT bar?
In this article, we’re going to dive deep into the importance of TMT bars and TMT Bar types, so you know which one to pick for your project. Let’s get right into it.
Because of their great strength, durability, and safety aspects, TMT bars are absolutely vital in construction. Considered as the backbone of a building, they support concrete constructions and ensure the stability and lifetime of infrastructure.
There aren’t one, but 5 types of TMT bars generally used in the construction sector. The grade of steel used in the production process and the thickness of every bar define the several kinds of steel bars that are sold on the market. In the making of TMT bars, the most often utilised TMT steel types are Fe 415, Fe 500, Fe 550, and Fe 550d (more on this later). The grade of steel used and the chemical composition of carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus affect the strength and durability of every TMT bar.
TMT steel bars also range in width from 8mm to 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm, and 32mm. However, TMT bars can be custom-made to meet your requirements. Let’s now understand the different types of TMT bars.
Mild steel plain TMT bars are types of TMT bars used in construction, characterised by a smooth, plain surface and a high tensile strength. Usually, in areas prone to earthquakes or where buildings must resist strong winds, they are especially made for uses calling for a good mix of strength and flexibility.
These TMT bars, known for their high tensile strength and excellent bonding to concrete, are used in reinforced concrete constructions. These bars are distinguished by their rough, ribbed surface, which is created during the hot-rolling process and aids in their hold on concrete.
Cold-worked steel bars are types of TMT bars that undergo a cold-working procedure to enhance their strength and hardness. This method involves shaping the steel at room temperature, increasing its strength, and making it more robust.
Twisted steel TMT bars are types of TMT bars having a soft inner core and a robust outer core. Thermo-mechanical treatment, which means heating steel and then quenching it to produce a strong outer layer and a flexible inner core, is the method used in the production of these types of TMT steel bars. Additionally, giving TMT bars a ribbed surface helps bonding with concrete.
Welding allows TMT bars to be linked. The high strength and longevity of TMT bars are well-known. Hence, welding is a popular technique for joining them in building projects. The bars themselves acquire their unique qualities by using regulated heating and fast cooling techniques.
Other than types, the type of steel used also determines the grade of TMT bars. Also, the yield stress that TMT bars can withstand without showing any damage determines their grading. There are mainly four grades of TMT bars.
Often used in construction, Fe 415 grade TMT bars are a reasonably priced, ductile form of steel reinforcement. The “Fe” stands for iron, and the minimum yield strength is 415 MPa, as indicated by the name.
Currently on the market, these are the most reasonably priced TMT bars. Small civil and commercial building projects, including residential dwellings and smaller steel constructions, generally rely on them.
Commonly utilised grade of TMT bars in buildings, Fe 500 TMT bars are prized for their combination of strength and ductility. As we know, “Fe” is iron, and “500” is the minimum yield strength of 500 MPa.
They are the most commonly used TMT bars in the market for all kinds of construction work. The Fe 500 TMT bars have variants: Fe 500d and Fe 500s. The Fe 500d variant has higher ductility. It has a superior minimum percentage elongation of 16% (that of normal Fe 500 is 12%). The ‘S’ in Fe 500s stands for seismic stability. So, the Fe 500s have high seismic stability. The superior minimum elongation percentage in Fe 500s is 18%. They are stronger than the Fe 500d variant.
Fe 550 Grade TMT bars are a high-strength grade of TMT Bars used in concrete buildings. The “Fe” indicates that iron makes up the bars, and the “550” shows the lowest yield strength in MPa, which means they can take a lot of stress before they start to deform.
Usually used for industrial projects which need a lot of weight capacity, these TMT bars have better tensile strength. Made of iron combined with carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus, this is a high-grade alloy steel. Its hardness makes it most appropriate for underground projects or constructions like bridges.
Renowned for their great strength and longevity, Fe 600 grade TMT bars are a high-strength variety of TMT bars used in building. In heavy-duty infrastructure projects, such as bridges, marine constructions, and industrial buildings, where exceptional load-bearing capability and corrosion resistance are absolutely important, they are often used.
Arguably, this one is the best grade of steel TMT bars utilised in infrastructure projects requiring support for heavy-duty projects such as metro rails, highways, high-rise towers, marine structures, etc. This steel is being used for projects requiring long-term corrosion-resistant materials.
In the world of construction, TMT Bars are one of the most important heroes. They provide structure to every construction project around you and make our homes secure. Different types of TMT steel bars like Mild Steel, Hot Rolls, Fe 415, Fe 500- these are not just names, but the types and grades of TMT bars used for different types of construction projects. Choosing the right TMT bar makes all the difference. If you’re looking for the best TMT bars in India, check out L&T-SuFin.
There are 4 grades in a TMT Bar: Fe 415, 500, 550 and 600.
The “best” grade depends on your need, while the Fe 600 grade is the strongest, the 215 grade is the most affordable.
Fe stands for iron, while 415 is the tensile strength measured in megapascals.
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