Differences between TMT and TOR steel bars | MS Life

Hi, I am G.Sai Krishna from Hyderabad with 5+ years of expertise in structural engineering. Based on my experience working in Hyderabad, one thing I have noticed is that the excess humidity and salinity in the air adversely impact the properties of the TMT bars leading to the compromised work quality.

So, today I will discuss about potent differences between TMT and TOR steel bars to sort your preference wisely for construction in Hyderabad.

Steel is the lifeline of any structural construction project as it is hailed by engineers to add the required pillar of strength. Among all types of steel needed to commence construction work, the demand for TMT bars is of priority importance for the durable framework and aesthetic appeal of the building. But do you know you might get tricked into buying TOR bars that look very similar to the TMTs with more or less of the same properties?

But don’t worry. I will try to solve all your confusion backed by my years of enriching professional experience.

The confusion:

Though TMT bars are now the most synonymous phrase with construction, the scene was way different back 3 decades. During the nineties, TOR bars, basically the brand name for “Toristeg Steel corporation” in Luxembourg were widely used for reinforcement in construction. TOR bars are a form of high yield strength deformed (HYSD) bars that are made through the mandatory heating treatment from mild steel billets with limited carbon content and are then cold twisted and deformed. This is also the reason TOR bars are known as cold twisted deformed (CTD) steel bars.

Whereas, TMT bars also known as reinforcement bars come with a soft inner core and tough outer core featuring a ribbed pattern for unmatched bonding with the concrete and are best suited for construction in earthquake-prone regions because of their unmatched strength and ductility. This thermo mechanically treated (TMT) bars are now the most treasured materials for construction.

TMT or TOR: The solution

Though both the types of bars served the same purpose, there is a subtle difference you must know to avoid making any purchasing blunder.

• Tensile strength: TMT bars have higher yield strength which means the total consumption of TMT in comparison to TOR bars would be 20% less. For example, if the project requirement for TMT bars is 200 tons, for TOR it would be 240 tons, making TMT the most cost-efficient construction material.
• Flexibility: TMT bars are undoubtedly the best match for construction in the seismic-prone zone for their unmatched ductility compared to the TOR bars, which are now rapidly becoming absolute obsolete in construction.
• Surface strength: Because of the ductile micro-structure and hard crystalline exterior surface, TMT bars are always the best in comparison to the TOR bars, whose surface properties tend to change in adverse weather.
• Weather resistant: Due to the lack of any torsional stress and physical deformation during construction TMT bars hardly have any surface defects making them fully resistant to corrosion and oxidation unlike TOR bars with more surface faults.
• Fire resistant: TOR bars have low thermal resistant quality, while TMT bars can withstand the heat of up to 600 degrees C, which makes them a safer and more durable aid for fire-proof projects.

I hope, my useful insights on detecting the sheer difference between TMT bars and TOR bars will definitely help you choose the best for your construction projects. To make your search easier, I recommend MS Life 600+ TMT bars trusted by engineers and pioneering construction companies.