Tor steel and TMT bars compared

Tor steel is the older name for cold twisted deformed bars, which were twisted after rolling to raise their strength. TMT bars get their strength from heat treatment instead. Indian construction has moved from Tor steel to TMT, and people in the trade still use the old name for the new product.

How each bar is made

	Tor steel (CTD bars)	TMT bars
Full name	Cold twisted deformed	Thermo mechanically treated
How strength is added	The cooled bar is twisted	The hot bar is quenched with water, then tempers itself as the core cools
Structure of the bar	Uniform, with stress left in from twisting	Hard outer layer around a softer, ductile core

What TMT improved

Higher strength grades, such as Fe 550.
More ductility, so the bar bends without cracking.
Better weldability.
Better resistance to corrosion, because the bar is not stressed by twisting.

What to ask for today

If you ask for Tor steel today, you will be supplied TMT bars. Ask for the grade on your drawing, for example Fe 550.

A business that has sold both

Our business was established in 1972 as Lal Trading Corporation, when the product was Tor steel. We specialise in the same product today as Amrit Steels, and everything we supply is Fe 550 or Fe 550D TMT, ISI-marked, with test reports. Read our story.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Tor steel?

Tor steel is the older name for cold twisted deformed bars, a reinforcement bar that was twisted after rolling to raise its strength.

Is Tor steel still available?

Indian construction has moved from Tor steel to TMT bars. A request for Tor steel today is supplied as TMT bars.

What does TMT stand for?

TMT stands for thermo mechanically treated. The hot rolled bar is quenched with water and then tempers itself, leaving a hard outer layer around a softer core.