Round Bars - A Comprehensive Guide to Sizes, Grades and Applications

Round bars are cylindrical metal rods with a circular cross-section They are ideal for a wide range of applications. Round bars are used in many industries, including construction industries for engineering purposes and manufacturing industries for many items. This article talks about round bars, the variety of sizes they come in, their grades and their uses.

Round Bars and Their Sizes

Round bars are classified based on their sizes in terms of their diameters. Diameters are measured in millimetres or inches. They range from small to large diameters and find a variety of applications based on their sizes in jewellery and craft to structural engineering.

Commonly found sizes of round bars based on their diameters are -

• Small - 1 to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 in)
• Medium - 10 to 50 mm (0.4 to 2 in)
• Large - 50 to 200 mm (2 to 8 in)
• Extra-Large - 200 mm and above (8 in or more)

Grades of Round Bars Based on Their Material Composition

Round bars come in different grades and they are chosen as per their application and required characteristics for a given project. The grades of round bars are determined by their constituent material composition. Their mechanical properties like strength, hardness and ductility are also a determining factor. Some grades of round bars based on their composition, are as follows -

Mild Steel Round Bar

Mild steel round bars are a versatile grade of round bars. They offer a balance of strength and ductility and are widely used in construction, machinery and general fabrication. 

Carbon Steel Round Bar

Carbon steel round bars offer greater tensile strength and are suitable for larger load-bearing capacity in various structural engineering usage and tools.

Alloy Steel Round Bar

These alloys contain elements like chromium, nickel and molybdenum that enhance properties of the round bar like resistance to corrosion, heat and improved strength. Alloy steel is used in automotive, petrochemical and aerospace industries.

Aluminium Round Bar - An aluminium round bar is a popular choice in various industries because it possesses a combination of desirable properties like being lightweight, corrosion resistant and having good conductivity. An aluminium round bar is formable and recyclable. An aluminium round bar is available in various alloy forms like 6061 aluminium, 7075 aluminium, 2024 aluminium and 5052 aluminium.

Stainless Steel Round Bar - A stainless steel round bar is commonly seen in architectural applications, food processing and medical equipment because of their excellent resistance to corrosion and hygienic properties.

Also Read: TMT vs. Steel Bars: Which is Right for Your Project?

Types of Stainless Steel Round Bars

A stainless steel round bar is tailored for specific environments, requirements and needs. Based on their composition and properties, a stainless steel round bar can be categorised as -

• Austenitic Round Bars 

With 18% chromium and 8% nickel, austenitic round bars are non-magnetic and have a unique microstructure that gives them a good balance of strength and ductility, resistance to corrosion, good formability and weldability.

• Martensitic Round Bars

Primarily composed of iron and carbon, with small amounts of molybdenum, chromium and vanadium, they possess high tensile strength, structural integrity and durability. They are tough, resistant to wear and can undergo heat treatment like quenching and tempering.

• Ferritic Round Bars

Composed of iron and carbon, with small amounts of chromium and characterised by the absence of nickel, ferritic round bars are strongly magnetic and generally ductile, but possess lower strength as compared to austenitic and martensitic round bars.

• Duplex Round Bars

Duplex round bars combine the properties of austenitic and ferritic round bars giving them a distinct microstructure. They are corrosion resistant, have high tensile strength are tough, and comprise iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen in them.

Properties of Stainless Steel Round Bars Making Them a Popular Choice

Resistance to Corrosion 

A stainless steel round bar is resistant to corrosion, which makes it suitable for chemical processing and outdoor applications even in harsh environments near sea shores. This saves time and money as there is no need for frequent replacements.

Low Maintenance

It is easier to lower labour costs in maintaining a stainless steel round bar as it requires minimal cleaning helping in long-term cost savings.

Hygiene and Sanitation

Stainless steel is a popular choice in food processing, healthcare and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals as it has a non-porous surface that prevents bacteria and microorganisms from breeding on the metal. A stainless steel round bar is easy to clean, thus maintaining hygiene. 

Strength and Durability

A stainless steel round bar has high tensile strength, which makes it durable and allows it to withstand impact forces without breaking or bending making it perfect as structural components in manufacturing and construction.

Versatility

A stainless steel round bar can be used in various ways. They are used in consumer products, construction, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace industries.

Aesthetic Appeal

A stainless steel round bar has a natural shine making it look sleek and modern. It is suitable to add finishing touches like polishing, brushing, etching etc. on stainless steel to give it a finer look as well.

Recyclability 

Conservation of natural resources should be at the top of our priority lists. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and this is what makes it an environment-friendly choice.

Uses of Stainless Steel Round Bars

Find Your Choice of Round Bars with Nexizo

Nexizo is your one-stop solution for raw materials required for different government tenders and other projects. With information extracted from different sources, Nexizo offers customised recommendations for your businesses. Whether you are looking for round bars, stainless steel round bars or aluminium bar tenders, find them right here at one of the leading AI-powered marketplaces. Just enter the grade, location and quantity of round bars you are looking for in the requirement form and get customized quotes for different raw materials.