Difference Between Fe 500, Fe 500D & Fe 550D TMT Bars

Difference Between Fe 500, Fe 500D & Fe 550D TMT Bars- In construction, strength is the ability to bear load and safety is also necessary to withstand disasters. These both are not just requirements, they are the foundation of a structure. If these fail, the building fails.  

TMT bars are the modern backbone of this foundation. Unlike old fashioned iron rods, TMT bars are manufactured by a specialized process. This includes water quenching and self-tempering of these bars. By following this process, TMT bars gain more strength and safety. 

The commonly used Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) steel grades in India involve Fe 500, Fe 500D, and Fe 550D. Choosing the correct material grade is very important. Higher grade steel provides greater load-bearing capacity with less material. Thus, helps in enhancing performance and cost-efficiency.  

Understanding the difference between Fe 500, Fe 500D & Fe 550D TMT Bars is crucial for balancing structural strength and flexibility. Using the wrong grade leads to wastage of money. 

Difference Between Fe 500, Fe 500D & Fe 550D TMT Bars – Strength, Composition & Applications

Composition- Fe 500 has 0.30 carbon content whereas Fe 500D and Fe 550D has lower carbon content than Fe 500 that is 0.25. Lower carbon steel absorbs more energy before fracturing. Instead of cracking suddenly, it bends and deforms first. Therefore, D grades offer better structural reliability.

Yield Strength- Fe 500 and Fe 500D provide yield strength of 500 MPa, on the other hand Fe 550D provides 550 MPa. Higher yield strength means the bar can handle greater stress before deformation. This allows designers to reduce steel quantity in heavy-load requirements.

Ductility & Elongation- The D in Fe 500D and Fe 550D stands for ductility, it indicates higher elongation capacity. This means they absorb more shaking energy and give warnings before breaking down. Hence, D grades are preferred in seismic-prone regions.

Weldability- D grades steel bars are easier to weld because they have less carbon content. Lower carbon means there are less chances of cracks during welding. This helps in making the joints stronger and safer.  Fe 500 needs more care while welding compared to Fe 500D and Fe 550D.

Suitability- Fe 500 is good for normal house construction. Fe 500D is better for buildings that require more flexibility and safety. Fe 550D gives both high strength and flexibility which is essential for big infrastructure projects.

Comparison Table for Fe 500, Fe 500D and Fe 550D TMT Bars

Fe 500, Fe 500D, and Fe 550D TMT bars differ mainly in strength, ductility, and weldability. Fe 500 is generally used in making residential buildings while Fe 500D is preferred where extra safety is required for managing stress and movement. However, Fr 550D offers excellent strength for making bridges, flyovers, and tall complexes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Grade

Fe 500 TMT Bars

Advantages

• Good ductility
• Easy to work with
• Economical for standard and high-rise projects

Disadvantages 

• Lower strength compared to 500D/550D
• Not ideal for heavy-load structures

Fe 500D TMT Bars

Advantages

• Superior Ductility
• Higher elongation (18-20%)
• Excellent Earthquake resistance
• Suitable for corrosion prone-areas
• High weldability

Disadvantages

• Slightly lower tensile strength than 550D

Fe 550D TMT Bars

Advantages

• Higher tensile strength
• Excellent for heavy load-bearing
• Require less steel quantity
• Cost effective for large projects
• Good corrosion resistance

Disadvantages

• Lower elongation than 500D
• Harder to bend and cut compared to lower grades.

Which one should you buy among them?

Choose Fe 500 If:

The structure or the building is low-rise that is 1-2 floors. You can also select these TMT Bars if your region has low seismic risk and you are also concerned about the budget. Moreover, you don’t have the need for extensive welding and complex reinforcement to make your house. 

Choose Fe 500D If:

If the project is located in earthquake-prone areas, then you will require a structure that absorbs and dissipates earthquake energy safely. This grade is highly reliable as it can undergo greater deformation before failure and also reduces the risk of sudden collapse. Additionally, the Fe 500D provides better performance than Fe 500 and is also more cost effective than Fe 550D.

Choose Fe 550D If:

If your aim is to make a structure that carries heavy load, then choose Fe 550D as it can handle higher stresses before deformation. High load structures demand greater strength along with ductility, which it provides efficiently. Optimizing steel quantity is important as it reduces reinforcement quantity and also lowers over steel consumption.                                                                                                                              

Buy High-Quality Fe 500, Fe 500D & Fe 550D TMT Bars from Khandelwal Loha Company

So, if you are also planning to buy strong and affordable TMT bars, then you can consider us. We focus on safety, strength, and durability. Below are key reasons to choose us:

• Access to BIS-certified bars
• Manufacturing as per IS 1786 standards
• Performs various strength and flexibility tests 
• Provides low carbon and impurities
• Clear grade marketing
• Offers different sizes for various projects
• Delivers bars on time