Knowing the difference between industrial rebar and construction rebar is a key factor
in determining their applications. Industrial rebars and those used in construction differ
in various aspects such as appearance, size, chemical composition, mechanical
properties, price, and more. In this article from Iron of nations, we will examine and
compare the 7 main differences between these two types of rebar. Stay with us.
- – Plain rebar refers to rebar that has no ribs or protrusions on its surface.
- – Ribbed rebars have ridges or teeth on their surface, which are known as ribs. The rib
patterns on A2, A3, and A4 rebars differ from each other. We recommend reading the
following article to learn more about the differences between A1, A2, A3, and A4
rebars.
What is Construction Rebar?
Both plain and ribbed rebars are used in construction, but ribbed rebar is more
commonly used due to its better bonding with concrete and the increased strength it
provides to structures. Therefore, ribbed rebar is generally referred to as construction
rebar. The usage of different types of rebar in construction can be summarized as
follows:
- – A1 Rebar: Used less frequently due to lower hardness, lack of ribs, and weaker
bonding with concrete. - – A2 and A3 Rebars: Most commonly used due to high hardness and strength, and
good bonding with concrete. - – A4 Rebar: Used less frequently despite its high strength and improved flexibility and
weldability.
One of the reasons for the lower usage of A4 rebar compared to other ribbed rebars is
its higher cost. Generally, the price of A4 rebar is slightly higher than other ribbed
rebars, and the price of A3 rebar is slightly higher than A2 rebar for similar dimensions.
However, there is no significant price difference between A2 and A3 rebars. For a
comparison of the current prices of various types of rebar, you can use the link below. 
What is Industrial Rebar?
Industrial rebar primarily refers to plain rebar, which is most commonly used in various
industries, hence the name industrial rebar. While ribbed rebar is also used for specific
industrial applications, its usage is much more limited.
Industrial rebar, besides being plain, can be made from different materials depending
on its application. For example, plain carbon steel rebar is used to produce barbed wire
and various types of mesh. Soft steel is used for coiled rebar, and A36 steel rebar is
used for installing large petrochemical tanks. Wire, which is the thinnest and most
flexible form of industrial rebar, is also made from this type of rebar.
Differences Between Industrial and Construction Rebar
The differences between industrial rebar and construction rebar can be examined from
various perspectives. To better understand these differences, we will analyze them in
the following seven categories:
- 1. Appearance
- 2. Usage
- 3. Diameter and Size
- 4. Chemical Composition
- 5. Mechanical Properties
- 6. Weldability
- 7. Price
Differences Between Industrial and Construction Rebar in Terms of Appearance
As mentioned, rebars are generally classified into two categories: plain and ribbed. This
classification is based on the Russian standard and is approved by the national
standard of Iran.
Since the main reason for using rebars in construction is to reinforce concrete and
strengthen structures, ribbed rebars are mostly used to create a better bond between
concrete and rebar. Therefore, ribbed rebars are also called construction rebars. The
appearance of ribbed rebars is as follows:
- rebar A2 (semi-hard with simple tread)
- rebar A3 (hard with tread).
- rebar A4 (Seven-eight-shaped composite bridges)
The appearance of industrial rebar, or plain rebar, is also without any ribs or
protrusions, having a smooth surface without any grooves.
The difference between industrial and construction rebars lies in their applications:
Variations in their physical shapes and properties dictate their specific uses. The difference in appearance and properties of rebars makes their use different. Next, we will compare the applications of rebars in industry and construction:
Application of construction rebar
The primary application of construction rebars is to reinforce concrete in building
construction. Concrete has high compressive strength but is weak and brittle against
tensile and shear stresses. Therefore, to enhance its tensile strength and prevent cracking, various types of reinforced rebars are used. Plain rebars alone cannot bond effectively with concrete, hence deformed rebars are preferred for this purpose. Plain rebars are also used in construction, mainly for applications such as Fracture point. However, the most crucial applications of construction rebars are related to deformed
rebars, which I will briefly explain next:
- – Enhancing and increasing the tensile and shear strength of concrete.
- – Used for reinforcing concrete and extending the lifespan of concrete structures.
- – Strengthening structures against environmental stresses such as earthquakes and
fire. - – Production of reinforcement bars for strengthening foundations and structures.
Additionally, besides construction, deformed rebars are also used to reinforce and
strengthen other concrete structures such as concrete bridges, bus stations, etc.
The use of industrial plain steel rebars
Plain or industrial steel rebars are used in industryProper Bendability and weldability
(and weldability compared to deformed rebars. They are mainly employed for connections. Some use of industrial rebars include:
- – Manufacturing industrial connections, producing bolts, nuts, etc.
- – Fabricating automotive industry connections.
- – Producing agricultural machinery and equipment.
The difference between industrial and construction rebars lies in their diameter and size:
The size of a rebar (the nominal diameter of each rebar) and its weight per meter are
closely related. As the size of the rebar increases, so does its weight. Rebars are
produced in sizes ranging from 5.5 mm to 40 mm. Typically, rebars with sizes ranging
from 8 mm to 32 mm are used as construction rebars.
