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Thermo Mechanically Treated steel bars, more commonly known as TMT steel bars, are one of the most popular forms of steel bars used in India since the late nineties. There are different types of TMT bars in use today that has transformed how RCC structures are built. TMT bars are strong on the outside, and soft in the inside, making them ductile and easy to weld. They are the preferred choice for the construction of most modern structures including high-rise buildings, dams, bridges, flyovers to name a few.
The recent rise in the number of construction projects worldwide has surged the global demand for TMT bars and other building raw material for construction. They are economical and tough, and depending on their type, the use of TMT steel bars varies. They are also safe to use for long-term projects as they can withstand heavy load and environmental challenges (e.g., corrosion, storms, etc.).
As a small business/MSME owner, if you are looking to buy TMT bars and use in projects, it is necessary to understand the various kinds of TMT bars available, their cost, and which TMT bar is best for what.
You may also consider contacting our team at Tata nexarc to learn more about TMT bars and buy TMT bars for your business online.
Thermo Mechanically Treated steel bars, named because of the way they are manufactured which gives them a strong exterior and soft interior. There is no chemical treatment involved.
Types of TMT steel bars in India
In India, there has been a steady rise in the demand for steel even among small businesses. It’s a fragmented market, and apart from the top TMT steel bar manufacturers, there is a growing number of secondary producers of steel in India to cater to this growing demand.
TMT bars are graded based on the yield stress they can bear without exhibiting any damage. The type of TMT bar used in construction projects therefore depends on its composition, toughness, durability, and ability to withstand load.
There are mainly four grades of TMT steel bars available in the Indian market – Fe 415, Fe 500, Fe 550, and Fe 600
There are four kinds of TMT bar grades used in India – Fe 415, Fe 500, Fe 550, and Fe 600
Fe here refers to iron used to make these bars. The numerical value added after Fe, i.e. 500 or 550, refers to the force or minimum yield stress that is required to bend or change the shape of the TMT bar.
So, when working with Fe 500, a force of 500 N/sq.mm is required to change the shape of the bar.
Fe 415 grade TMT bars
These are the most economical TMT bars available in the market. They are ductile and can easily be changed into any preferred shapes. They are used mostly for small civil and commercial construction projects, such as residential homes and minor steel structures.
Fe 415 TMT bars have a yield strength of 415 N/sq.mm and require the least amount of force to deform its shape. This also makes them suitable for elongation with a minimum percentage of 14.5%. This gives them the unique attribute of withstanding high tremors, making them suitable for areas prone to earthquakes and other seismic activities. They are resistant to rust and corrosion.
Use of Fe 415 TMT bar:
- Small scale construction projects that doesn’t need to withstand heavy loads
- Suitable for building residential homes in places with high seismic activities
Fe 500 grade TMT bars
Fe 500 TMT bars and its variations, Fe 500D and Fe 500S, are the most commonly used TMT bars in the market for all construction work. Compared to Fe 415 grade, they are more expensive, but almost 20% stronger than Fe 415 grade TMT bars. This means that when using it for building purposes, you will require less quantity of Fe 500 TMT bars than Fe 415 TMT bars. In terms of cost-effectiveness therefore, Fe 500 is more cost-effective than Fe 415.
When procuring raw materials, this is a critical decision for teams as it affects overall project costs including warehousing, storage and logistics costs.
Use of Fe 500 TMT bar:
- Building and housing construction including residential high-rise and commercial projects, bridges etc. requiring corrosion resistant and high load withstanding material
- RCC structural construction in seismic/earthquake prone zones
In general, Fe 415 and Fe 500 are steel bar grades that are used for RCC development projects due to its strength, stability, and the safety it offers.
Fe 550 grade TMT bars
These TMT bars come with higher tensile strength and are usually used for industrial projects that require to bear heavy weight. A high-grade alloy steel, it is made of iron, mixed with carbon, sulphur, and phosphorous. Because of its toughness it is most suitable for building underground projects or constructing structures such as bridges. It is comparatively more expensive than Fe 500 TMT steel rod, though has a lesser elongation percentage than Fe 500.
Use of Fe 550 TMT bar:
- Industrial project constructions such as underground projects, coastal, and marine projects etc.
- Infrastructural development projects such as bridges and other structures that need to bear heavy load.
Note: There are special grades of TMT bars, e.g., Fe 500S and Fe 550D. Here ‘D’ represents ductility while ‘S’ represents saline tolerance.
Fe 600 grade TMT bar
This is arguably the strongest grade of steel TMT bars used in infrastructural projects that require to support excessively heavy loads, such as marine projects, bridges, etc. The use of this steel is for projects that require corrosion resistant materials for the long term. These bars also come with high tensile strength. When using Fe 600 for projects, the overall quantity of steel bars required is naturally less. These too contain small amount of carbon, sulphur, and phosphorous in its composition, and an elongation percentage of 10.
Use of Fe 600 TMT bars:
- For heavy-duty projects such as metro rails, highways, high-rise towers, marine structures etc.
In general, there is not much variation in the composition of chemical properties of different grades of TMT bars. What differs is the strength and ductility of the different grades, which is achieved during its manufacturing by managing the quenching process.
Also read: Bright bar: Manufacturers, price per kg, MS bright bar, HSN codes
Difference between TMT bar grades: Fe 415 vs Fe 500 vs Fe 550 vs Fe 600
Understanding the different grades of TMT steel bars is a strategic gain for raw material suppliers as it helps them to advice buyers and build stronger buyer-seller relationships. As a buyer, here are some of the key differences between different kinds of TMT steel bars.
| Fe 415 TMT | Fe 500 TMT | Fe 550 TMT | Fe 600 TMT | |
| Cost | Least expensive | More than Fe 415 | More than Fe 500 | Most expensive |
| Elongation (%) | 14.5 | 12 | 10 (14.5 for Fe 550D) | 10 |
| Chemical composition (max %) | Carbon (0.63), Sulphur (0.06), Phosphorous (0.045), S+P (0.11) | Carbon (0.3), Sulphur (0.055), Phosphorous (0.055), S+P (0.105) | Carbon (0.25), Sulphur (0.045), Phosphorous (0.04), S+P (0.08) | Carbon (0.3), Sulphur (0.04), Phosphorous (0.04), S+P (0.075) |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) N/sq.mm | 485 | 545 | 585 (600 for Fe 550D) | 660 |
| Suitable for | Small scale project, residential houses | Multi-storey projects, and in earthquake prone areas | Large coastal, underground infrastructure projects | Heavy duty projects like expressway, metros, etc. |
TMT bars in India
The construction sector in India is growing at a breakneck pace. From the construction of buildings such as residential complexes and schools, to the construction of shopping malls and other commercial projects, to overall infrastructure development in the form of road construction, dams and bridges, there is the need for steel in all forms of construction for strength, safety, and long standing.
In India, there are various categories of TMT steel bars available. They are used for different reasons and their prices can vary slightly between different steel vendors and states, and the dimension of the TMT bars.
Also Know: Latest Steel price in India Today
On Tata nexarc we ensure that you get quality steel TMT bars at the best prices. We have partnered with some of the most reliable steel vendors in the market and can offer you quality TMT bars at the best prices when you need it.
On that note, let us take a quick look at the different TMT bar sizes in mm and the approximate cost of TMT bars in India.
| 8 mm | 10 mm | 12 mm | 16 mm | 20 mm | |
| Price range | ₹66-75 | ₹65-74 | ₹64-74 | ₹64-74 | ₹64-74 |
*Price of steel per kg without GST. Users are advised to check the latest price at the time of purchase.
Sohini is a seasoned content writer with 12 years’ experience in developing marketing and business content across multiple formats. At Tata nexarc, she leverages her skills in crafting curated content on the Indian MSME sector, steel procurement, and logistics. In her personal time, she enjoys reading fiction and being up-to-date on trends in digital marketing and the Indian business ecosystem.
For a small residential project in a non-earthquake prone area, would Fe 415 be enough, or is there a benefit to using Fe 500 for future proofing?
Thanks for covering this! I now know that Fe 415 TMT bars are the most economical and suitable for small-scale projects like residential houses and Fe 500 TMT bars are ideal for multi-story buildings and earthquake-prone areas. So, as a contractor, it will help me alot to choose between the two.
The article provides precise information about the type of TMT bars available on the Indian market
Thanks, please let us know if you need TMT bars or want to sell as Tata nexarc is a . pls fill the form and our team will be in touch with you.