What are TMT bars? Key features and advantages

Bridges, flyovers, high-rise apartments, industrial structures, underground structures – know what’s common to all of them? It’s what’s they are built of – TMT steel bars or thermos mechanically treated steel bars. Widely used in construction of concrete reinforcement structures, best quality TMT bars are critical for all RCC projects (Reinforced Cement Concrete). But what are TMT bars?

The application of TMT bars is across industries. They are strong, heat and fire resistant, and cost-effective compared to other raw materials used in construction. They also provide protection against earthquakes and can be used for building marine structures. In brief, the uses of TMT bars are varied. And with wide scale construction projects (especially in real estate sector) coming up, it’s natural to witness a spike in the demand for TMT steel bars in India. (Also read: Calculate unit weight of TMT bars)

This article will talk about the meaning of TMT bars, its main features and characteristics, their advantages, and what makes them a suitable building material in construction. We will also discuss few key points to keep in mind when you buy TMT bars online for your business.  

Let’s get started! 

What is a TMT bar? 

The full form of TMT bars is Thermo Mechanically Treated i.e., TMT bars. The process of TMT bars manufacturing is what gives them their name and properties.

These bars are manufactured such that they are tough and strong on the outside and soft in the inside. The manufacturing process involves two key activities: 

• First, optimising the water pressure to give TMT steel bars a tough exterior (i.e., quenching and temperature change)  
• Second, atmospheric cooling to balance the temperature to create a soft interior 

Together, these two activities bring properties of durability, weldability, corrosion-resistance, elongation and tensile strength to the best quality steel TMT bars.

What are the main features of TMT bars? 

We have mentioned the key characteristics of TMT bars. Let us now understand their main features and why they are important. 

• Fire resistant:

TMT bars are used as a raw material in different forms of construction – buildings, dams, bridges, flyovers etc. All these structures are or can be exposed to heat. In the case of an accidental fire, the mechanical properties of TMT bars can keep the bars from melting up to 600°C. This ensures that the cement is held in place and the structure remains stable for up to a few hours. 

• Earthquake resistant:

TMT bar Fe 415 and Fe 500 grades have been used for constructing small residential buildings and RCC structural constructions respectively in areas prone to seismic activities. These grades of TMT steel bars are strong, flexible, and can withstand high tremors and shocks – hence making them safe to use in earthquake prone zones. Moreover, as these grades have better elongation characteristics, they provide stability to structures and don’t break on pressure.  

• Corrosion resistant:

Fe 550, Fe 550S (where ‘S’ represents saline tolerance) and Fe 600 TMT bars are especially used in marine projects and those in coastal areas, for its resistance to rust and corrosion. These steel bars are thermally and mechanically threated (i.e., water cooling process) which gives them this special characteristic, setting them aside from regular steel.  

• Cost-effective:

Considering fluctuations in steel prices in India and globally, cost is a primary factor for all construction materials. Depending on the grade and size of the TMT bars (I.e., 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm) the price varies. Since they have grater tensile strength and elongation value, less quantity of steel is required for construction. They can also last for years meaning that you don’t need to replace them over time.

For example, Fe 500 grade TMT bars though more expensive than Fe 415 TMT bars, are also almost 20% stronger. This means that if you are using Fe 500 you will need lesser quantity – which basically will bring down your overall cost. Moreover, because of their shape and other properties, they are also easy to store and transport, further adding to lower costs and cost-effectiveness in the long run. 

• Flexibility:

TMT bars are ductile and bend easily. They also bond well with concrete/cement due to the ribs on their outer surface, which makes them suitable for building structures. Elongation is a unique characteristic of TMT bars that gives its capacity to deform and prevent it from cracking.  

What are the advantages of using TMT bars? 

When it comes to construction materials, there is no alternative to TMT bars in India. Listed below are some of the advantages of TMT bars in construction and how TMT bars can reduce construction costs in India:

• TMT bars are lightweight (usually TMT bars weight approx. 4.6kg/rod for 8mm and 30kg/rod for 20mm). This makes them easy to transport, use, and store.  
• Due to the high tensile strength, lesser quantity of steel is required (adding to savings). 
• These bars have high resistance to heat (do not crack easily) and are weldable and malleable making them easy to work with by construction workers on-site. 
• Since they have anti-rust properties, they also provide longevity to structures. They also require minimum maintenance. From a business point, they offer better returns in the long run than other types of steel in construction. 
• TMT bars are also suitable for prefabricated structures (e.g., frames) used in construction. This saves projects time and costs, as certain structures can be made ready and stored off-site and made available when required. 

Things to keep in mind when buying TMT bars online 

A very natural question at this stage is: What is the price of TMT bars in India in kg/tonne?

The price of TMT bars in India is dynamic and varies between city/states and manufacturers/brands. There are also taxes (GST) involved, wholesale vs retail price, and transportation costs. Always ask for ‘TMT bar price today’ for the right quote. 

Depending on the size, brand and state: 

• TMT bar price per kg ranges between: ₹77 – ₹87 /kg (March 2023)
• TMT bar price per tonne ranges between: ₹54,450 – ₹76,200 /tonne (February 2023)

If you are looking for authentic, quality TMT bars in India at the best-rates, get in touch with us at Tata nexarc today. We offer top quality TMT bars, HRC, sheets and more from trusted suppliers at the best rates and easy credit options. Explore now. 

There are several leading TMT bars manufacturers in India – JSW Steel, SAIL, TATA Tiscon, etc. and other smaller/regional players who cater to the diverse needs of businesses. Apart from prices and quality of steel, when you purchase steel, ensure to check your supplier’s capacity for long-term supply of steel. Construction projects are usually for longer duration and your requirement for TMT bars will be spread over the months.  

Also, it is recommended not to buy from a single wholesaler/manufacturer but have 2-3 contacts to ensure that you never run out of steel supplies when required.