Primary and secondary TMT bars compared
Primary TMT bars are made by integrated steel plants that produce steel from iron ore. Secondary TMT bars are made by mills that melt scrap or sponge iron into billets and roll them into bars. The category describes how the steel is made. The grade and the ISI mark describe what the bar must achieve.
The difference at a glance
| Primary TMT | Secondary TMT | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Integrated steel plants | Induction furnace units and rolling mills |
| Starting material | Iron ore | Scrap or sponge iron, cast into billets |
| Brands we deal in | JSW, SAIL, Vizag | Kamdhenu, India Gold, President |
| Price | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Standard to meet | IS 1786 | IS 1786 |
What stays the same
Both must meet IS 1786 for their grade to carry the ISI mark. A secondary bar that is ISI-marked Fe 550 has to pass the same tests as a primary bar of that grade.
How to choose
- If your structural engineer or project specification names a brand or category, follow it.
- If the choice is yours, ask for rates on both and compare them for your quantity.
- Whichever you pick, check the ISI mark and the test report. Our guide to checking a TMT bar is genuine lists the steps.
What Amrit Steels supplies
We deal in JSW, SAIL and Vizag in primary, and Kamdhenu, India Gold and President in secondary. All of it is ISI-marked, in Fe 550 or Fe 550D, with test reports. We do not supply material that is not approved to ISI grades.
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WhatsApp us nowFrequently asked questions
Which TMT brands are primary brands?
Primary TMT brands are made by integrated steel plants. JSW, SAIL and Vizag are primary brands.
Is secondary TMT safe for construction?
A secondary TMT bar that carries the ISI mark has to meet IS 1786 for its grade, the same standard a primary bar meets. Check the ISI mark and the test report, and follow your structural engineer's specification.
Why is primary TMT more expensive than secondary TMT?
Primary TMT is made from iron ore in integrated steel plants and usually costs more than secondary TMT, which is rolled from billets made of scrap or sponge iron.