Elongation Requirements

for
Stainless Steel Rebar
Presented by:
Suresh Gupta
ASTM Committee Meeting A01.05

May 8, 2012

Purpose of Elongation
Elongation is a measure of ductility, which
provides confidence that metals can be
formed, without cracking or fracturing.
In rebar, it defines ductility so that bars can be
bent without cracking.
If bars do not crack during fabrication, any excess
elongation is irrelevant.

Alloy Characteristics
With all other variables remaining same,

Austenitic Alloys have highest elongation.

Duplex Alloys have elongation in mid range
Ferritic Alloys have lowest elongation

Measurement Methods and Facts

% Elongation, when measured in a fixed gage
length, e.g. 8 inches, is lower than when
measured in a gage length, as a multiple of
diameter, e.g. 4 X diameter (4d).
(when 4d is less than fixed gage length).
Elongation is generally lower as diameter goes
smaller.
This fact is clearly described in ASTM E8,
Appendix XI

ASTM E8
Standard Test Method for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials
Appendix XI Factors Affecting Tensile Test Results

Comparison of elongation values determined using different

specimens requires that the following ratio be controlled:
Lo/(Ao)1/2
(XI.1)
Where:
Lo = original gage length of specimen, and
Ao= original cross-sectional area of specimen.
XI.4.4.1 Specimens with smaller Lo/(Ao)1/2 ratios generally give
greater elongation.
Note: (Ao)1/2 is proportional to diameter (d).
Therefore, for same ductility, larger diameter samples result in
greater elongation values, when measured in fixed gage length.

ASTM A955-9a
Until revision 10a, elongation was not required for
sizes # 3-5 Grade 75, probably because it was known that it is
unrealistic or not necessary.
Grade 40 for sizes 7 and larger because, in any condition it will meet
the requirement, anyway.

% Elongation Requirements for

Rebar
Carbon and Alloy steels
ASTM A615 requires 6 to 7% for Grade 75
ASTM A706 requires 10 to 14% for all Grades.
Stainless Steels

BS 6744 requires 14% minimum in 5d gage

length for Grade 500 (72.5 ksi).
ASTM A955 requires 20% minimum in 8 inch
gage length for all grades, all sizes.

Manufacturing & Process Control

Even with precise chemistry and process
control, duplex stainless steels meet the
elongation requirement very marginally.
If rebar is supplied in coils, machine straightening
will cause work hardening and elongation will go
down even further.

This may cause unnecessary dispute.

Rationale
If 6% elongation in carbon steel is sufficient
If 14% in 5d is sufficient for stainless steel
rebar per BS6744 in Europe,

It should be sufficient for us as well.

FYI
ASTM Specifications for plain smooth bars
require elongation in 4d

Proposal
It is therefore recommended that,
Using a foot note to Table 3, elongation
requirements be lowered to 14% for Grade 75,
for all sizes of duplex grades and,
all grades of stainless steels under 1.00 inch.