STAINLESS STEEL REBAR GUIDELINES FOR SHIPPING,

210239 Rebar (Final)1/3/023:13 PMPage 3S TA I N L E S SSTEEL REBARGUIDELINESFOR SHIPPING,HANDLING,FABRICATION ANDPLACEMENT3050 K Street, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20007TEL: (202) 342-8630 or (800) 982-0355FAX: (202) 342-8631http://www.ssina.com214 King Street West, Suite 510Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3S6TEL: (416) 591-7999FAX: (416) 591-7987E-mail: NiDI Toronto@NiDI.org

210239 Rebar (Final)1/3/023:13 PMPage 4occurring under corrosive conditions, stainlesssteel rebars should not make metal-to-metalFABR contact with carbon steel rebars or other carbonmill scsteel components in the structure. Simply keepingpresenthe two metals separated (plastic sleeves, etc.)abrasivwill eliminate this potential problem.NOTE: The Ontario Ministry of Transportation undertooka research project at Queen’s University to investigate potentialnegative effects from contact between stainless steel and blacksteel reinforcement.Results show that the corrosion rates between thegalvanically coupled black steel and stainless steel are so smallthat distress of the structure is unlikely during the 75-yeardesign life.As a result of the report, the Ministry will no longer specifyisolation between black and stainless steel reinforcement.Ensuresuppli If the rof fabrpressuor bracremovwith apressuSHIPPING & HANDLING Stainless steel rebar has been used as concretereinforcement in numerous applicationsmarine structures (sea walls, piers, jetties,moorings, etc.). Of paramount importance in thedecision to use stainless steel is the requiredcorrosion resistance in the application. Thematerial has also found acceptance in areaswhere a low magnetic permeability material isrequired. These include deperming piers,magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment,and electric motor foundations.Alternative materials such as carbon steel andcoated products in harsh environments, whethercoastal or due to chloride corrosion from roadsalts, have inadequate corrosion resistanceresulting in increased repair and rehabilitationcosts. In these applications, where a long designlife and minimum maintenance is required,stainless is an attractive alternative and costjustifiable. Stainless steel has excellent corrosionresistance to chlorides in concrete and numerousstudies (both long term and accelerated shortterm tests) have validated this claim. the other, the stainless steel rebars shouldcare is required during shipping, handling,be loaded on top. Use wooden spacers tofabrication and placement. For example, contactseparate the two materials. Outside storage of stainless steel rebars isparticles to become embedded in the stainlessacceptable. Consideration should be givensteel, which may result in surface staining.to covering the stainless steel rebars withtarpaulins.Although stainless steels are much more for staStainless steel rebars should be stored off the In ordecarbonrecombe pro Do notdiscs tcarbon Any irobe remground or shop floor on wooden supports.alloys may suffer surface staining or localizedStainless steel rebars should be storedcorrosion in certain chloride-containingseparately from carbon steel rebars.environments. Hence, stainless steel rebars Keep carbon steel tools, chains, slings, etc.off stainless steel rebars.chlorides (de-icing salt, calcium chloride,seawater, etc.) prior to embedment in concrete.rags aWhen bundles of carbon steel and stainlessproperties of stainless steel, a certain amount ofshould be protected from direct contact withand deused to secure the rebars.steel rebars must be shipped one on top ofresistant to corrosion than carbon steels, somehardnenylon or polypropylene straps should bedurable.To maximize the corrosion-resistantwith carbon or low alloy steels can cause ironcarbonplaced under the tie-downs. Alternatively,GENERAL COMMENTSStainless steel rebars are very rugged and(suchsoft materials (thick cardboard) should beincluding bridge decks, barrier walls, stanchions,parking garages, sidewalks, retaining walls andsteel. Mwith the stainless steel rebars. Wood or otherGUIDELINES FOR SHIPPING,H A N D L I N G , F A B R I C AT I N G& PLACEMENT OFS TA I N L E S S S T E E L R E B A RAll hanhave nPrior to shipping, ensure that all chains andsteel bands will not come into direct contactSydney Opera House, ANCON CCL, UKG E N E R A L A P P L I C AT I O N S Stainless steel rebars that require movementby fork-lift truck should be adequatelyAlthough unlikely at the pH levels encounteredprotected so as not to scratch them or toin cured concrete, galvanic corrosion may occurcontaminate the material by direct contacton carbon steel when it is connected to stainlesswith the forks.steel. To prevent galvanic corrosion from Do not use carbon steel lifting devices. Usenylon or polypropylene slings.Corrosion S

210239 Rebar (Final)ainlessal1/3/023:13 PMPage 5F A B R I C AT I O N arbon If the rebar requires cleaning prior to the startremoved by water washing should be removed ns and All hand tools should be stainless tools thatknowledgeable welding supply house). Afterwelding, all slag and oxidation should beremoved by wire-brushing (with a cleanrags and cleaning agents prior to being usedop ofstainless steel brush) or by the application offor stainless steel rebars. In order to avoid surface contamination withcarbon steel particles or mill scale, it isoulda proprietary pickling paste. weld clean-up, any tack-welding or joining ofrecommended that stainless steel rebar shoulds tostainless steel rebar is best performed in thebe processed on dedicated equipment.ars is carbon steel.with d off thefabrication shop, rather than on site.Do not use grinding tools or abrasive cut-offdiscs that have been previously used ongivenAny iron pick-up/contamination should alsobe removed with pickling paste.orts.To ensure good quality welds and proper post- Fabricated rebar is often shipped to the jobsite in “bundles”, held together with wire. InTo avoid possible galvanic corrosion problems,the tie-wire should have a level of corrosionresistance equivalent to that of the stainlesssteel rebars being used. (please consult the rebar supplier or aand devices are to be wiped down with cleaninless rods/electrodes and procedures must be usedhardness of Rockwell C35. Such steel toolsbemounted reels.the edges to be welded. Correct weldingcarbon steel provided they have a minimumvely,(3.5 lb) are available to fit the standard, belt-Stainless steel rebars can be welded togetherbe taken to clean any dirt, grease and oil from(such as shears, rollers, tooling, etc.) may bed beStainless steel rebars must not be “hot” bentRebars must be held together with stainlesssteel tie-wire. Coils of stainless steel tie-wireusing various welding techniques. Care shouldsteel. Mechanized tools and handling devicesor other or “hot” straightened.have not been previously used on carboncontactlongitudinally.compensate for this “spring-back.” Stainless steel couplers are available forconnecting lengths of bar togetherrebars and may need to be overbent, towith a non-chlorinated detergent, followed by apressurized water wash. tend to have more “spring” than carbon steelor brackish water. Grime that cannot beStainless steel rebars should be supportedand spaced using plastic “chairs” and spacers.It will be necessary to apply more force inorder to bend stainless steel rebars. Also, theypressurized water spray. Do not use seawaterer specifyment. usually avoid this potential problem.of fabrication, it should be cleaned by aere so small5-yearGa cut-off wheel with ample water-cooling willabrasive blasting (please consult the rebarsupplier).PLACEMENTshould be removed with pickling paste. Usingpresent, it should be removed by pickling or, etc.)Excessive thermal oxidation (or “blueing”)caused by cutting with an abrasive cut-off discEnsure that the stainless steel rebar is free ofmill scale prior to fabrication. If mill scale iskeepingertooke potentialand black Acerinox USACLEANFully annealed (fully soft) Type 316 or 316Ltie-wire (1.6mm/0.063in. diameter) is usually aStainless Sgood choice for this purpose and will facilitatecan usuallytwisting and cutting.water. In soAt locations in the structure where the ingressIn cases wof moisture, oxygen and chlorides will beweld oxideabsent, or judged to be extremely low,brushes castainless steel and carbon steel may bemore geneconnected together. However, to guard againstcleaned wiany unforeseen changes in the future,consideration should be given to placingelectrical insulation material between theGUIDEACCEPdissimilar metal connections, wheneverpossible.the case of stainless steel rebar, the bundling“A” ACCwire should be plastic-coated or should bemade of stainless steel. Do not use carbonsteel ties.“B” ACCds, etc.“C” NOTementtotact“D” NOT* Per Ontario. UseNOTE: “B”impa“C”“D”Corrosion Service Co., CanadaFrank N. SmithFrank N. Smith