Tata Tiscon Ultima Rebars
A cutting-edge product from Tata Tiscon, Plasma Rebar is the only rebar brand in India manufactured using patented EPT - Electrolytic Plasma Technology. Plasma rebars are coated with zinc and treated with an additional surface passivation for higher resistance to corrosion in atmospheric environment and cement-concrete medium. The product has good coating consistency, superior corrosion performance and suitability to Indian construction market.
Coating by EPT method provides enhanced corrosion protection at uniform and optimal coating thickness. Zinc coating provides sacrificial protection which is superior to any other coating leading to no danger of uncoated regions. Coating does not peel off to expose rebar surface and prominence of ribs are maintained even after coating. Weldability and Bendability is equivalent to ordinary uncoated rebars.
Performance of Ultima rebars vis-a-vis ordinary rebars
The salt spray test is a standardized and popular corrosion test method as per ASTM B117-11, used to check corrosion resistance surface coatings. Salt spray testing is an accelerated corrosion test that produces a corrosive attack to coated samples in order to evaluate (mostly comparatively) the suitability of the coating for use as a protective finish. The appearance of corrosion (rust or other oxides) is evaluated after a pre-determined period of time. Test duration depends on the corrosion resistance of the coating; generally, the more corrosion resistant the coating is, the longer the period of testing before the appearance of corrosion/ rust.
Salt-spray testing with continuous exposure to 5% NaCl showed no rust even after 100 hours of testing. In comparison uncoated ordinary rebars get fully rusted after 20 hours of exposure
Site handling
- Material to be handled using a proper sling (nylon rope/ belt at each stage of handling is preferred) to avoid damage of packaged material.
- It is advisable to store the material under shade by providing adequate dunnage underneath so that it is positively prevented against getting submerged (fully or partially) into the water puddle/muck/slushy soil
- During storage, ultima rebars have to be positively prevented against coming in contact with rebars of any other quality.
- Surface damage to the rebars at any stage of rebars must be avoided, adequate measures need to be taken to make sure that bundles are not dragged on rough surface to make dents on the rebar surface
- Storage and transportation at all stages has to be positively ensure that the plastic or any other packaging layer stays intact at all stages of storage and handling
Usage norms
- Ultima rebars should not be mixed with normal rebars during construction of any structure as far sa possible i.e. if a column or beam or slab is being constructed, it is advised to use ultima rebars
- The stirrups used in construction should also be ultima coated rebars.
- The binding wires used should be GI wires
- The sheer/cut-end of rebars is vulnerable to the process of rusting because it is uncoated. Therefore it is recommended to apply a cement slurry at the shear end (in the ratio cement:water = 1:3)
