Saral Dutta,B.Tech(Hons)IIT
Executive Director(Retd) ISP&RMD,SAIL
Preamble
Thermo-Mechanical
Treatment (TMT) is a metallurgical process that integrates work
hardening and heat treatment into a single process resulting in bars
having a hard outer surface with a softer core. This quenching
process produces high strength bars from low carbon steel. TMT Bars
are extra high strength reinforcing bars which eliminate any form of
cold twisting, the technology of yesteryears. The
need for cutting down the cost of production of high strength re-bars
has initiated the involvement of a more economical and competitive
Thermo Mechanical Treatment Process. TMT
bars are produced as per IS1786:2008 for Fe 415 & 500 grade.
The need for reduction in the steel used for concrete re-enforcement
has prompted to switch to re-bars of higher yield strengths of 500
and 550 MPa.
TMT
Bars are much stronger than conventional CTD Bars and provide up
to 20% stronger concrete structure with same quantity of steel and
shows up to 50% more elongation than conventional CTD Bars without
compromising on strength which makes it safe in earthquake prone
areas.
Re-bars of yield strength up to 500 N/sq. mm. produced either by cold
twisting or micro-alloying or a combination of both adds considerably
to the cost of the re-enforcement bars. These
cold twisted bars have inferior ductility, weld-ability and increased
rate of corrosion. Production of re-bars by the addition of
micro-alloys gives the desired results of high strengths but at a
cost, which is prohibitive.
Thermo
Mechanical Treatment process produces re-bars of high yield strength,
superior ductility, weld-ability, bend-ability, better corrosion
resistance and thermal resistance creating a revolution in
re-enforcement engineering.
More
strength with higher elongation makes a concrete structure sound and
safe. TMT steel bars compliments “Reinforced Cement Concrete”
(RCC) which has become an integral part of every structure, be it a
multi-storeyed building, a tunnel, a flyover, or a TV tower. With
TMT, RCC can be molded into any desired shape with which the steel
rears will gain the ability to withstand any load made to act upon
them. In
composite RCC, the re-enforcing steel is the costliest constituent
(30 to 40% per cu. m. of concrete). This cost can be substantially
reduced by using higher grades of steel re-enforcing bars. The higher
yield strength of re-bars lowers the steel requirement, which results
in reduced cost of construction.
Steel
billets are heated to approximately 1100°C in a reheating furnace
and then progressively rolled to reduce to the final diameter of the
reinforcing
bar.
After the ultimate rolling pass the hot steel bars are passed through
a specially designed water-cooling system to receive a short &
intensive cooling. A microprocessor controls the water flow to the
quench box to manage the temperature difference across the
cross-section of the bars. The correct temperature difference assures
that all the metallurgical changes occur and bars attain the
necessary mechanical properties
Thermo-Mechanical
Treatment - Quenching Stages.
-
Surface
quenching first stage begins when the hot rolled bar leaves the
ultimate rolling stand, it is rapidly and intensively quenched by a
special water spray system and the temperature is suddenly reduced
drastically;. This drastic cooling measure converts the surface
layer of the bar to a hardened structure called martensite while the
hot core remains austenite.
-
Self
Tempering second stage begins when the bar leaves the quenching box
with a temperature gradient across its cross section, the
temperature of the core being higher than that of the surface. This
allows heat to flow from the core to the surface, resulting in
tempering of the surface, producing a structure called tempered
martensite which is both strong and tough. The core is still
austenitic at this stage.
-
Atmospheric
cooling final stage takes place on the cooling bed. The temperature
difference between the core (which is still hot) and the cooled
peripheral surface layer is equalized at around 6000
C. the austenitic core is transformed to a ductile ferrite-pearlite
core.
-
Controlling
parameters
of
Quenching
Effects
of Quenching & Cooling
-
The
resultant soft core forms about 65-75 % of the cross-sectional area
(depending upon the desired minimum yield strength) and the rest is
the hardened periphery.
-
There
is a variation across the cross section, having a combination of
strong, tough, tempered martensite in the surface layer of the bar,
an intermediate layer of martensite and bainite, and a refined,
tough and ductile ferrite and pearlite core.
-
TMT
bars have undesired brittleness, superior tensile strength (high
yield strength), ductility, toughness, hardness, stress free and
resistance to corrosion,
-
Microstructure
Changes in TMT Process
Austenite
-
In
iron-carbon alloys austenite is the solid solution formed when
carbon is dissolved in face centered cubic gamma iron (γ-iron)
having a maximum of about 2% C at 11300
C.
-
Coarse-grained
austenite transforms to pearlite when it is cooled slowly below the
Ar
critical
temperature.
-
However,
when more rapidly cooled, this transformation is retarded.
-
Faster
cooling rate to the temperature at which the transformation occurs
result in the micro-constituent as mentioned.
Constituents
|
Temperature
range
|
Pearlite
|
7050C
to 5350C
|
Bainite
|
5350C
to 2300C
|
Martensite
|
Below
2300C
|
.
Pearlite
-
It
is very fine plate like or laminar in aggregate of ferrite and
cementite.
-
It
is the result of a eutectoid reaction which takes place at 7200
C
when plain carbon steel of approximately 0.8% carbon is cooled very
slowly from the temperature range where austenite is stable.
-
The
white ferritic matrix makes up most of the eutectoid mixture
together with the plates of cementite..
-
Average
properties are tensile strength 120,000psi: elongation 20% in 2 in:
hardness Rockwell C 20, Rockwell B-95-100, or B.H.N 250-300.
Ferrite
-
Ferrite
is a solid solution - an interstitial solid solution of a small
amount of carbon dissolved in α (B.C.C.) iron.
-
It
is the softest structure in the iron-carbon diagram
-
The
maximum solubility is 0.025% C at 7200
C and it dissolves only 0.008% C at room temperature.
-
Average
properties are tensile strength 40.000psi elongation, 40 % in 2 in:
hardness, less than Rockwell Co or less than Rockwell B 90.
Cementite
or Iron Carbide
-
Interstitial
compound of iron and carbon, Fe3C.
-
A
very hard compound.
-
Tensile
strength 5000 psi approximately.
-
Elongation
in 2 inch is 0
Bainite
-
A
decomposition of austenite bainite consists of an aggregate of
ferrite and carbide.
-
Its
appearance is featherlike, if formed on the upper part of the
temperature range and acicular if formed on the lower part.
-
The
hardness increases as the transformation temperature decreases.
-
This
is due to a finer distribution of carbide in bainite formed at lower
temperature.
Marten
site - Transformation & Tempering
-
The
martensitic reaction begins on quenching when the austenite reaches
the martensite start temperature (Ms)
and the parent austenite becomes unstable.
-
Austenite
transformation to martensite continues till the temperature (M f) is
reached, at which the martensitic transformation is completed.
-
The
martensite transformation occurs almost instantaneously -
the proportion of austenite transformed to martensite depends only
on the temperature to which it is quenched.
-
Martensite
is not shown in the equilibrium phase diagram of the iron-carbon
system because it is a metastable phase. It is the kinetic product
of a rapid cooling of steel containing sufficient carbon.
-
Equilibrium
phases are formed by slow cooling rates that allow sufficient time
for diffusion, whereas martensite is formed by extremely high
cooling rates.
-
Martensite
is formed of austenite at
such a high rate that carbon atoms do not have time to diffuse out
of the crystal structure in large enough quantities to
form cementite (Fe
3 C).
-
Face-centered
cubic austenite transforms to a highly strained body-centered
tetragonal form of martensite that is supersaturated with carbon.
-
Martensite
has a lower density than austenite, so that the martensitic
transformation results in a relative change (increase) in volume.
-
Transformation
induces a great deal of internal stress, often manifesting itself as
cracks.
-
However,
shear strain is more significant and produce large numbers of
dislocations, which is a primary strengthening mechanism of steels.
-
More
the number of dislocations, greater are the interlocking of
dislocations causing obstruction to the movement of dislocations
pin[ng the dislocations in place, which results in increase in
strength.
-
The
highest hardness of a pearlitic steel is 400 Brinell, whereas
martensite can achieve 700 Brinell.
-
Since
quenching can be difficult to control, many steels are quenched to
produce an overabundance of martensite.
-
The
needle-like microstructure of martensite leads to brittle behavior
of the material. Too much martensite leaves steel brittle,
too little leaves it soft.
Retained
Austenite
-
Mechanical
properties are affected by a high percentage of retained austenite.
-
If
the cooling rate is slower than the critical cooling rate, some
amount of pearlite is formed, starting at the grain boundaries where
it will grow into the grains until the Ms temperature
is reached when the remaining austenite transforms into martensite.
-
Moreover,
the percentage of retained austenite increases from insignificant
for less than 0.6% C to 13% retained austenite at 0.95% C
-
The
amount of retained austenite is a function of carbon and alloy
contents and the quenching temperature
-
Austenite
is the normal phase of steel at high temperatures, but not at room
temperature. Because retained austenite exists outside of its normal
temperature range, it is metastable and given the opportunity,
transforms from austenite into martensite.
-
Higher
amount of retained austenite after quenching and martensitic
transformation at the surface increases the chance of distortion and
danger of forming cracks in the specimen
-
However,
a combination of austenite (soft and tough) and martensite (hard,
strong and brittle) creates a composite material that has some of
the benefits of each, while compensating for the shortcomings of
both.
Tempering
-
Martensite
is a highly supersaturated solid solution of carbon in iron, which,
during tempering, rejects carbon in the form of finely divided
carbide phases.
-
The
end result of tempering is a fine dispersion of carbides in an
α-iron matrix, which often bears little structural similarity to
the original as-quenched martensite.
-
The
needed quantum of tempering is carried out until the right structure
for the intended application is achieved.
-
Retained
austenite does not remain stable during the tempering process
-
The
as-quenched martensite possesses a complex structure. The first
formed martensite, i.e. the martensite formed near Ms has the
opportunity of tempering during the remainder of the quench.
-
This
is auto-tempering, which is more likely to occur in steels with a
high Ms.
-
Tempering
takes place in distinct but overlapping stages:
Stage
1
-
Martensite
formed in medium and high carbon steels (0.3-1.5% C)
is not stable at room temperature because interstitial carbon atoms
can diffuse in the tetragonal martensite lattice at this
temperature.
-
These
instability-increases between room temperature and 250°C, when iron
carbide precipitates in the martensite.
Stage
2
-
Austenite
retained during quenching is decomposed, usually in the temperature
range 230-300°C.
-
Retained
austenite decomposes to bainite, ferrite and cementite.
Stage
3
-
During
this stage cementite first appears in the microstructure
-
This
reaction commences as low as 100°C, and is fully developed at
300°C.
-
During
tempering, there is replacement of low-temperature martensite by
cementite and ferrite.
-
During
the third stage of tempering it is, essentially, ferrite, not
supersaturated with respect to carbon.
Stage
4
-
The
cementite particles undergo a coarsening process and essentially
lose their crystallographic morphology, becoming spheroidized.
-
The
coarsening commences between 300 and 400°C, while spheroidization
takes place increasingly up to 700°C.
-
The
final result is an equiaxed array of ferrite grains with coarse
spheroidized particles of Fe3C
partly, but not exclusively, in the grain boundaries.
Role
of Carbon Content
-
The
hardness of the as-quenched martensite is largely influenced by the
carbon content.
-
Carbon
has a profound effect on the behavior of steels during tempering.
-
The
Ms temperature is reduced as the carbon content increases, and thus
the probability of the occurrence of auto-tempering is less.
Microstructure
of TMT Bars
Three
distinct rings appear when the cut ends of TMT bars are etched
in Nital
-
Tempered
surface layer / outer ring of martensite.
-
Semi-tempered
middle ring of martensite and bainite.
-
Circular
core of bainite, ferrite and pearlite.
BIS
- Mechanical Properties
Fe 500
Fe 500-D
Yield
Stress- YS (N/mm2)
500
500
Ultimate
Tensile Stress- UTS (N/mm2)
545 565
UTS/YS
Ratio 1.08
1.08
Grades
which
determine the various characteristics such as , malleability,
hardness, etc.
-
Carbon
is restricted to below 0.20% for imparting better ductility and
bend-ability and to ensure better weld-ability.
-
The
carbon equivalent of the steel is controlled by the addition of
manganese (from 0.50% to 1.2% depending on the grade of the TMT bar
being produced.
-
In
corrosion resistant TMT bars, corrosion resisting elements are
suitably added in the steel.
-
Sulphur
and phosphorus maintained below 0.05 %
BIS
- Chemical Analysis
Fe
500 Fe 500-D
%
Carbon 0.300
0.250
%
Carbon Equivalent (CE) 0.420 0.420
%
Sulphur (S) 0.055
0.040
%
Phosphorus (P) 0.055
0.040
%
Sulphur & Phosphorus (S&P) 0.105
0.075
%
Nitrogen (PPM) 120
120 1
The
consistency in strength across the rebar is maintained by reducing
the impurities like sulphur and phosphorous to a level below 0.075%.
'500' refers to the strength of the rebar in MPa and 'D' refers to
ductility of the rebar.
CTD
& TMT Bars Compared
PROPERTIES
|
CTD/Plain
Bars
|
TMT
Bars
|
Strength
|
Low
strength.
|
Higher
strength even at elevated temperature with high ductility.
Do
not need more work hardening. and so torsional stress cannot form
surface defects
|
Formability
|
Lower
formability.
|
Excellent
formability due to uniform elongation
|
Weldability
|
Welding
avoided due to weak welded joints
|
No
loss strength on welding.
|
Formability
|
Bend
3D to 5D Rebend 5D to 8D (D=Diameter of bar).
|
Very
High Bendability
Bend
ID and Rebend 4D.
|
Fire
Hazards
|
Loss
of strength due to temperature rise.
|
No
loss of strength up to 5000C.
|
Ductility
& Fatigue Strength
|
High.
|
Very
high. Most suited for earth quake resistant structures and
equipment foundations.
|
Corrosion
Resistant
|
Scales
fall down during cold twisting.
|
Better
corrosion resistant. Absence of cold stress means longer life of
concrete structure.
|
Workability
|
|
(i)
Pre-welded meshes is used to eliminate manual binding at site;
saving construction time.
(ii)
Easy working at site due to excellent features of ductility and
bendability reduces fabrication time.
|
Transportation
Cost
|
Higher
manufacturing cost
|
Comparatively
lower
manufacturing
cost.
.
|
Overall
Economy
|
|
(i)
Availability of higher grade like 500N/sq.mm and 550N/sq.mm.
(ii)
Lesser requirement of bar length in welding as compared to
mechanical anchorages and results in overall saving.
(iii)
Material saving, Saving in labour cost of bending binding etc.
|
TMT
Rolling Process.
Applications
Why
choose TMT BARS?
Higher
yield
strengths
combined with better elongation values and toughness as compared to
conventional CTD bars resulting in saving of steel and cost of
transportation.
The
process used ensures combination of tempered martensite on the
surface with fine grain ferrite-pearilite and austenite in the core
providing for higher tensile strength, toughness ductility and
imparts quality of fatigue resistance on dynamic loading on account
of the high strength of the surface layer.
Better
Safety of structures because of higher Strength combined with higher
Ductility.
Strength
of the TMT product depends on :
-
Carbon
equivalent.
-
Temp
after finishing pass.
-
Water
pressure.
-
Diameter
of the TMT Bar being rolled.
-
Cooling
tube condition i.e. if tube is worn out, then pressure required is
more.
Easy
working at site owing to better Ductility and Bendability.
Controlled
quenching results in adherence to martensite ring formation with fine
grain ferrite-pearilite and austenite soft core of TMT bars causing
uniform elongation and excellent bendability. These bars can be
subjected to Bend ID and Rebend 4D easily. This results in lot of
advantages formability during construction work. Due to very high
elongation values and consistent properties throughout the length of
bar, TMT rebars have excellent workability and bendability.
TMT
bars have excellent weldable properties due to carbon
being restricted to below 0.20% together with
low carbon equivalent
They
can be butt-welded or lap-welded using ordinary coated electrodes of
matching strength. In manual arc welding no-pre warming or
post-welding treatment is necessary.
TMT
Bars are produced from IS 2830 Billets. Hence, due its lower carbon
range it can be used in making of pre-welded meshes. The same is done
without reduction in strength of weld joints. Pre-welded meshes
eliminate manual binding at site. Reduces construction and
fabrication time.
higher
manganese results in, exceptional ductility and improved scope for
welding. Low sulphur & low phosphorous nullifies the problems of
“Hot Shortness” & “Cold Shortness”.
Resists
fire. It can be used successfully even till 6000
C without any significant sacrifice in strength. Unlike Tor steel/
CTD Reinforcement bars, TMT bars have high thermal stability. They
are the preferred choice when elevated temperatures of 400-6000
C may be encountered (Chimneys, fires).
The
TMT process gives the bar superior strength and anticorrosive
properties. Bars produced by Thermo Mechanical treatment show
virtually no rusting even after a long time, as there is absence
of any tensional residual stress.Controlled
water-cooling prevents the formation of coarse carbides, which has
been cited as the main cause for the corrosive nature of common bar.
The absence of surface stresses caused by the cold twisting process]
contributes to the anticorrosive properties.
TMT
bars are most preferred because of their flexible nature
-
Despite
steel and concrete are two different materials, it is desired that
these should form as a single unit in a reinforced structure.
-
Concrete
grips the TMT steel bars to form the strongest bond because of the
unique pattern, greater depth, closer and uniform rib spacing.
External ribs running across the entire length of the TMT bar adds
to the superior bonding strength between the bar and the concrete.
-
TMT
bars make structures strong, safe and to last for generations.
Fulfils bond requirements as per IS: 456/78 and IS: 1786/85.
-
Two
main loading conditions that concrete under goes are compression and
tension.
-
Steel
is weak
under compression
but is strong at withstanding tensile stress (bending forces).
-
Concrete
is superior at bearing compressive stress (squeezing forces) but is
very weak in Tension (pulling) and can
crack under tensile stress.
-
Moreover,
concrete's weakest rating is in its shear strength. To increase
concretes shear strength, TMT steel bars are used because of its
high shear strength characteristic.
-
Concrete
reinforced, i.e., strengthened with steel combine these qualities to
create a material that is stronger than either material alone.
-
The
strength of one offsets the
weakness of the other.
-
Reinforced
concrete is made by forming the concrete inside a metal or timber
framework or by casting the concrete around ridged steel rebars
called (reinforcing
bars).
-
Stressed
or pre-stressed concrete involves molding wet concrete around
pre-tensioned steel wires. The wires compress the concrete as it
sets, making it much harder.
-
-
When
the cement paste within the concrete hardens, this conforms to the
surface details of the steel, permitting any stress to be
transmitted efficiently between the different materials. Usually
steel bars are roughened or corrugated to further improve
the bond or
cohesion between the concrete and steel.
-
The
reinforcement steel bar has to undergo the same strain or
deformation as the surrounding concrete in order to prevent
discontinuity, slip or separation of the two materials under load.
-
Maintaining
composite action requires transfer of load between the concrete and
steel. The direct stress is transferred from the concrete to the bar
interface so as to change the tensile stress in the reinforcing bar
along its length, this load transfer is achieved by means of bond
(anchorage) and is idealized as a continuous stress field that
develops in the vicinity of the steel-concrete interface.
-
In
earthquake prone zones Indian Code does not permit use of steel bars
with less than 14.5% elongation.
-
TMT
bars guarantee higher UTS to Yield Strength ratio and elongation
percentage well above 15% - 18% even for FE 500 grade.
-
High
UTS/YS ratio and more percentage elongation signify
that the steel is capable to strain harder, in the event of an
earthquake, i.e., have
high fatigue resistance to seismic loads
-
Thermo
mechanically treated rebars impart strength and ductility to RCC
structure to withstand various kinds of loads impacting a building.
-
Superior
resistance to sustain stress without failure prevents buildings from
collapsing
Quality
Compared TMT Fe-415 TMT Fe- 500 TMT Fe- 550
IS:
2062 Gr. 40% 44%
48%
Plain
Bar
IS:
1786 Fe: 415 12% 14%
19%
HSD
Steel Bar
Section
Grade of Steel Cost Saving
w.r.t. (in %)
Plain
Bars CTD Bars
Doubly
Re-inforced CTD 415 28 - 33
Beam
TMT Fe-500 34 - 37 12
- 14
TMT
Fe-550 38 - 42
Axially
Loaded CTD 415 32.0
Columns
TMT Fe-415 39.0 10.4
Uni-axial
Bending CTD 415 28.0
with
Compression TMT Fe-415 34.0 8.0
Conclusion
-
Higher
tensile strength and ductility (superior elongation) values enable
economy in design, construction of high risers with improved
earthquake resistance (better seismic resilience).
-
TMT
bars have the added advantage of superior weldability, corrosion
resistance) and durability.
-
Desired
properties are attained with lesser amounts of alloying elements
thereby
reducing the production cost.
-
Achieves
great savings in
usage of
steel to the extent of about 17% as compared to ordinary steel bars
and thus reducing transportation costs.