In modern construction, rebar is a veritable mainstay, playing an indispensable role in everything from towering skyscrapers to winding thoroughfares. Its unique physical properties make it a key component in ensuring building safety and durability.
Rebar, the common name for hot-rolled ribbed steel bars, derives its name from the ribbed surface. Its cross-section is typically circular, with two longitudinal ribs and evenly spaced transverse ribs along its length. The transverse ribs are crescent-shaped and do not intersect with the longitudinal ribs. This unique surface texture not only strengthens the bond between the rebar and concrete but also significantly enhances its tensile strength and overall stability in building structures. Rebar is typically made from carbon structural steel or low-alloy structural steel and comes in a wide range of diameters, from 6 mm to 50 mm, to suit various building requirements.
Rebar possesses superior mechanical properties, fully utilizing the steel’s mechanical properties during tension, making it superior to ordinary rebar. Its surface is treated to form a thick oxide layer, which provides corrosion resistance and extends its service life. It can also be easily cut to desired lengths through machining, facilitating construction operations.
Rebar is categorized in various ways. According to the Chinese standard (GB1499), rebar is divided into three grades based on strength (yield point/tensile strength): HRB335, with a strength of 335 MPa, suitable for general building structures; HRB400, with a strength of 400 MPa, suitable for structures bearing greater loads; and HRB500, with a strength of 500 MPa, offering exceptionally high tensile and torsional strength, suitable for specialized engineering projects. Rebar can be divided into hot-rolled and cold-rolled grades based on its production method. Hot-rolled rebar is produced from continuously cast or initially rolled steel sheets, offering advantages such as high strength, good ductility, and excellent adhesion to concrete. Cold-rolled rebar, on the other hand, is produced from hot-rolled coils, pickled to remove scale, and then cold-rolled. It also exhibits high strength, good ductility, and strong bond strength with concrete. By application, it can be divided into ordinary rebar for reinforced concrete and heat-treated rebar for prestressed concrete.
Rebar is used in various construction and engineering fields. In building structures, it is commonly used to reinforce and connect beams, columns, slabs, and other components in reinforced concrete structures, enhancing their stability and load-bearing capacity. In civil engineering, it serves as a reinforcement and connection material in bridges, tunnels, and highways, improving their stability and seismic resistance. In railway engineering, it is used to secure and connect rails, ensuring smooth operation. In mining, it is often used as a reinforcement and support material, supporting mine roofs and walls. It is even used in architectural decoration to create decorative items such as handrails, railings, and stairways, combining aesthetics with durability.
Rebar production requires ensuring continuity between each process. The process is typically divided into ironmaking, main steelmaking, and finishing. Key production technologies include post-rolling heat treatment, fine-grained steel production, slitting and rolling, and holeless rolling.
Rebar also holds a significant position in the market. It serves as a key indicator of the construction industry’s development, and its price fluctuations have a direct impact on upstream and downstream companies in the steel industry chain. For steel producers, rising rebar prices translate into higher profit margins; for downstream construction companies and real estate developers, price fluctuations directly impact construction costs. In 2023, my country’s rebar prices fluctuated between 3,600 and 4,500 yuan/ton, peaking in mid-March. From late March to late May, real estate data fell short of market expectations. Coupled with a general decline in domestic coal prices following the easing of the overseas energy crisis, rebar prices fell rapidly. In November, a series of policies, including those related to trillion-yuan government bonds and real estate, significantly boosted market sentiment and led to a rebound in rebar prices. Meanwhile, favorable weather in the southern market has led to some rush work, but overall demand remains strong. In December, driven by rising raw material prices and macroeconomic policies, rebar prices fluctuated around 4,100 yuan/ton, reaching 4,090.3 yuan/ton on December 29th.
Rebar, a solid foundation for construction projects, shines across various fields thanks to its unique characteristics, influencing the development of the construction industry. It will continue to evolve with technological advancements and industry development.
Post time: Aug-18-2025