TMT Bars: 6 things to know about TMT bars before buying them
Your dream home is just an extension of you – while you are made of flesh, bones, and an indomitable spirit, your home is made of steel, bricks, and your energy. The sturdiest of houses have the most robust internal frameworks, which can make them last centuries. If you plan to build a dream home, and want to buy tmt bars online, here are six tips to help you choose.
What is a TMT bar?
Thermo-Mechanically Treated steel, which is rolled into a bar of specific diameters and molecular characteristics, is a TMT bar. Steel is first heated to up to 1250 degrees Celsius and rolled into a bar. The bar is then cooled under carefully regulated conditions in a process known as quenching. Quenching ensures a tough, robust layer on the outside and a relatively more flexible core layer on the inside.
What functions does it perform in your house?
Structures – such as skyscrapers, warehouses, and even your home – are generally built of concrete. Concrete is excellent at withstanding the weight that’s applied directly on top of it. However, it is not the best at retaining its integrity if it happens to get stretched out. That’s where steel bars are needed to reinforce the concrete. Steel is ideal for performing well under stretching – or tensile – forces. So, while looking to buy tmt bars online, check for the following criteria that help enhance a reinforcement bar’s functionality.
What are the characteristics of a good TMT bar?
1. Grade:
TMT bars are available in different strengths or grades, such as Fe-415, Fe-500, Fe-550 & Fe-600. The number indicates the stress force you need to apply (in Newton per square mm of the bar) to change its shape. So, a higher number signifies a higher resistance to stress-induced deformity. Depending on the location where it is used, a higher or a lower grade bar is ideal. For instance, for decorative elements of the house – like balconies and bannisters, a Fe-415 would be perfect, as it can be twisted into attractive shapes. It is also the preferred grade for use in areas that are prone to earthquakes. Fe-500 is an industry workhorse and is used across a variety of constructions ranging from bridges to skyscrapers. Consult your retailer and pick the grade that is most appropriate for its intended use.
2. Elongation:
The grade of the TMT bar also gives you an idea about its elongation. Elongation is the extent to which a bar can bend, stretch, or compress before it cracks. It determines how flexible the bar will be once it is installed. It also tells you how ductile or pliable the bar is.
3. Ductility:
Due to the changing nature of construction and architectural expectations, ductile TMT bars are in high demand. Bars with higher ductility are easily welded while retaining high tensile strength. Ductile TMT bars, such as Fe-550D, can withstand higher structural loads without breaking down. They do this by transferring the shock they experience over a wider region, thus minimizing the impact of the shock on any specific area.
4. Corrosion Resistance:
While post-construction, your TMT bars are enclosed in concrete; they are exposed to extreme weather during construction. Bars designed to be corrosion resistant can withstand a wide range of temperatures, sun exposure, and heavy rains. They also remain unaffected by all the chemicals they are subject to during and after construction.
5. Thermal Resistance:
TMT bars with high thermal resistance perform ideally in the unfortunate event of a fire. They may prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building and resist buckling under pressure at higher temperatures.
6. Certification:
While buying TMT bars, be sure to check for the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Certification. Top retailers only stock materials that are ISO and BIS certified.
In conclusion
Building a home is a long and stressful process, but if you make the right decisions in the planning stage, you can relax for the rest of your life, knowing that your house is structurally sound. Choose a TMT bar that balances strength and flexibility ideally to give your house the resilience it needs to become your home.