It is a simple black steel rebar with epoxy coat which is used to protect rebar against corrosion. Coating is delicate and damaged coating makes rebar more vulnerable to corrosion. However, it is better than rebar without any protective coating.

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TUF-BAR: Fiberglass Rebar (GFRP)
Vs
Traditional Steel Rebar

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What is black steel rebar?
Rebar is used to increase the tensile
strength of concrete. Black steel rebar
is uncoated reinforcing steel rebar. It is
a basic and less expensive concrete
reinforcement solutions. The biggest
disadvantage of black steel rebar is
that it corrodes.

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Epoxy Coated Steel Rebar
It is a simple black steel rebar with epoxy
coat which is used to protect rebar against
corrosion. Coating is delicate and damaged
coating makes rebar more vulnerable to
corrosion. However, it is better than rebar
without any protective coating.

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Galvanized Rebar
Galvanized rebar is better than black rebar
in terms of corrosion. Its coating cannot be
easily damaged unlike epoxy coated rebar.
At the same time galvanized rebar is more
expensive than epoxy coated rebar. It is
also called hot-dip galvanizing as the bar
are dipped into a molten bath of zinc.

5. Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Rebar Versus Fiberglass Rebar
(GFRP)
Galvanized Steel and other metals (except gold) are inherently unstable. This
instability is what drives the corrosion process. Metals are continually trying to
revert to their natural state as an elemental mineral. Some metals corrode faster
than others. As metal corrodes it expands. In concrete this causes degradation
resulting in loose bonding, spalling, cracking and breakage.
Hot dipped galvanized rebar relies on a sacrificial zinc coating to protect the
underling black steel rebar from rusting. Although it has occasionally been
with extending the life of concrete structures, it often has had little or even a
negative impact on concrete life.
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Stainless Steel Rebar
Stainless steel that has both austenitic
and ferritic microstructures. Stainless
must contain a minimum of
approximately 12% Chromium in order
to approximately 12% Chromium, in
order to be considered a true stainless

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GFRP rebar general characteristics:
• Impervious to chloride ion and chemical attack
• Tensile strength 2 times the strength of steel
• ¼ the weight of steel reinforcement
• Transparent to magnetic fields and radio
frequencies
• Electrically and thermally non-conductive
• Dramatically reduces breaking and cracking of
concrete exposed cyclic loads

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Rehabilitation & Longevity Estimates

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TUF-BAR™ is manufactured from sizes #2 – #8. Availability is in stock and custom
lengths. TUF-BAR™ forms via a thermosetting resin procedure therefore all bends
and shapes are made at TUF BAR. Bends are currently available for sizes #3 – #8.

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TUF-BAR™, a GFRP rebar, is an excellent substitute for conventional
types of steel rebar. TUF-BAR™ is 100% recyclable when used in
concrete and can contribute to 6 LEED® credits in Canada and 7 in
the USA.

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Conclusion:
Fiberglass rebar (GFRP), as compared with steel rebar, is a cost effective way to:
• Eliminate fundamental and expensive repair problems created by black
steel reinforcement.
• Maintain cosmetically attractive structures over time (less cracking and
ugly rust staining) resulting in higher property resale values.
• Reduce concrete cover and corrosion protection measures taken to
protect black steel rebar.
• Ensure your structures will last up to 4 times longer eliminating
expensive capital expenditures over time.
• Make slabs exposed to cyclic loads last 20 times longer than steel
reinforced slabs.