The construction industry is one of the world’s core industries and plays a crucial role in a country’s economic growth. There have been major developments in this industry in the past few decades; new innovations and emerging trends continue to make construction work easier and more efficient.
Steel reigns supreme in the construction industry; its importance can be ascertained from the fact that the construction industry accounts for more than 50% of world steel demand! One gets an idea of the huge strides made by the steel industry from the fact that over half of the steel products in current use did not exist a decade ago!
Here’s why steel is such an important and indispensable building material:
● Qualities: Steel possesses properties including durability, versatility, and strength that makes it an ideal material for building and construction.
● Lesser construction time: The use of steel reduces the time required to complete the entire project, which means lower production costs and higher savings.
● Lesser waste: The formability of steel means that the waste generated from a batch of production is recycled for the production of the next batch.
● Longevity: The qualities of steel and its zero-maintenance factor make it a viable and sustainable product that increases the lifespan of a building.
TMT Bars: The future of steel and construction
The advent of Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) steel bars has heralded a new era in construction. TMT bars, with their wide application, are the most popular reinforcement bars in the construction industry. In most developed countries, only TMT bars are used for all construction purposes.
TMT bars are manufactured using Quenching & Tempering (Q & T) technology, a unique three-stage process involving quenching, self-tempering, and atmospheric cooling, which gives them several unique features:
Strength: TMT bars have a tough surface providing excellent tensile strength – about 20% more strength than conventional bars.
Ductility: TMT bars have a soft core providing excellent flexibility and ductility. This enables better bendability, fatigue- and earthquake resistance.
Corrosion resistance: TMT steel bars are highly corrosion-resistant, unlike ordinary bars that corrode easily, giving them a longer life.
Climate Resistance: TMT bars do not crack, shrink, or swell, and can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
Weldability: In TMT bars, the carbon content can be restricted to 0.2% to attain weldability without loss of strength.
Cost-effective: TMT bars are more affordable and lower-priced than conventional bars. They enable much greater structure with the same amount of steel.
Recyclable: TMT bars are 100% recyclable, and a large amount of steel is recycled every year.
Steel is a critical component of all economic activities. In India, there has been a steady growth of the steel industry with the sustained growth of the economy. Rapid infrastructure development will ensure continued demand for steel and TMT bars, which will be the backbone of the construction industry for many years to come. The future for TMT steel bars is indeed bright and shining!
