Outokumpu

Overview and Background

As Stainless Rebar (SSR) is ideal as a straightforward replacement for carbon steel reinforcing bar then the SSR standard should logically follow the carbon steel standard. Likewise both carbon steel and stainless steel reinforcement should be referenced by the reinforced concrete code of practice. In the case of Eurocode 2 provision is made to state which mechanical properties steels not included should conform to. With SSR designations 4301, 4162, and 4362 having elastic modulus identical to the design assumption then designing with SSR can be straight forward.      

 

It is common practice for a manufacturer to have a quality assurance (QA) system in place to ensure that they are producing a product to the desired standard and for this system to be externally audited. Outokumpu’s QA scheme is ISO 9001 (2008) and we are externally audited by Lloyds.

Some product groups however have additional sector schemes which are called for by the end user clients. In the case of rebar the most requested scheme worldwide is UK CARES. CARES audits all stages of rebar manufacturing from hot rolling to straightening, and to cutting and bending to schedule. CARES certification is a European Technical Approval and is valid across Europe and requested the world across. One exception is in Norway where the approval authority is Kontrollrådet.