Before starting the construction check the quality of building materials. This will help you save your money as well as the last-minute compromises. Checking TMT bars’ quality becomes mandatory from a safety perspective as TMT bars are the backbone of the structure.
TMT bars are used in construction due to their superior properties such as flexibility, strength, and longevity. As per the IS Standards, Fe 600 grade steel reinforcement bars are the best quality steel bars with all these properties. Specially treated TMT bars are much more durable, solid, and long-lasting than the other ordinary bars in the market. The best quality TMT bars are highly recommended by the largest steel companies in India for all types of construction. In this rising demand, selecting the top-quality TMT bars is very crucial for desired construction.
IMPORTANT TMT BARS CHECKPOINTS
- TMT bars must be ISI certified and must carry an ISI mark on the product.
- TMT bars must carry the brand/manufacturer name.
- The manufacturers must provide you with a chemical and physical authenticity test report.
- TMT Bars must have a unique rib pattern. It must satisfy the ISI standard for the concrete bond tests.
- TMT Bars must satisfy the microstructure rings which verify the hardness and strength of the bars.
- The standard length of each TMT rod should be 12m.
- Check for the manufacturer’s license for safety standards.
- It is always advisable to buy only ISO, and BIS-approved and certified brands.
- The Pitch length between twists should be 8-12 times that of the nominal diameter of the bar.
- The diameter of each bar should be the same and consistent.
- The TM Bars should be rust-free, grease-free, and paint-free when delivered.
To ensure the quality multiple tests are conducted on various parameters. These tests determine the strength, elongation properties, and overall quality of the TMT bars.
a. Tensile Test
TMT bar distributors should undergo Tensile testing with the help of a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). When the diameter of the bar is above 32 mm as per IS 1786 at that point in time UTM is needed to measure the strength of the bars. But when the TMT bars with a capacity of 32mm then they need not undergo a measure of the strength of reinforcement bars. Above 32 mm you would need the machine to test.
b. Bend and Rebend Test
This test checks the bending properties of top-quality TMT bars. If the TMT bars are made of adulterer materials then they often tend to bend easily. So, it is very important to check its bending properties before purchasing it. This test ensures that the TMT bars are fit to use in the construction work. Incorrect or improper bending can badly affect the performance of steel reinforcement. While doing bend and re-bend tests of TMT bars these points need to be noted. They are:
- There should be no vibrations produced while bending of TMT bars. It should be performed gradually and slowly.
- Different TMT bars have different bend diameters.
- Pipes or a hammer should not be used for bending purposes
- It must not have mud or dirt while performing the test
c. Yield Stress Test
Do check the top TMT bars from any TMT bar distributor who handle stress or deformity test. The maximum limit of elastic behavior is the yield strength of a TMT bar. Ductile materials like metals possess higher yield strength than plastics. Which level of material can take stress depends on its quality. The yield stress test gives you the answers to all these.
In this type of test, the material will deform elastically until it reaches the yield point and then gets back to its original form when the stress is released. The stress-strain curve makes it easier for us to understand the categories like ductile and brittle. Cast iron and glass are brittle while Aluminum and steel are ductile. Materials that undergo this yield stress test are classified as ductile (if they pass the test) or as brittle (if they fail).
In this yield testing, the bars are put under high stress which continues to deform elastically until they reach the yield point. TMT Bars will go back to their original shape if the stress on the TMT bars is released before the yield point is reached. You can check out the SAIL TMT bar prices as well as Shyam Steel prices and that of other brands manufacturing high-quality bars that have passed the yield stress test.
d. Chemical Test
A chemical test is done which takes a few seconds and gives results in printed form by a spectrometer. It shows that 26 elements are present in the TMT bar. This test is performed to find out the percentages of carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus. Occasionally, the percentages of copper, manganese, and Chromium are also found by the spectrometer. The quantity of Carbon, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese, Chromium and Sulphur influences the properties of the TMT bars. By an advanced instrument like a spectrometer, a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis is also performed.
CONCLUSION
It is important to focus on the quality of TMT bars while selecting them for your projects. The parameters and tests discussed above will help you to identify the best quality TMT bars that can satisfy the requirements of the construction. You should check out the test results of various TMT bars before finalizing any.
The largest steel companies in India undertake these tests for their TMT bars to ensure the quality and strength of the steel they provide. It is, for this reason, suggested to buy steel bars from reputed and trusted brands that perform tests to assess the quality of their TMT bars.
Best Steel Manufacturing Company in India those who performed these entire tests to produce BEST or TOP QUALITY TMT BARS
- TATA Steel
- Shyam Steel
- JSW Steel
- Jindal Panther TMT bar
- Essar Steel