Bars

Bars are stable structures, they are usually long and of rectangular cross section used in many fields. They can be fabricated from steel or aluminum and the applications of these products range from construction and production to household products. In construction, bars mean the rebars or the reinforcing steel bars that are used in construction of concrete structures. Bars can also mean rods that are used in machinery or tools and divisions in graphical representations or charts. 

Different Types of Bars 

Bars can be classified depending on the process of manufacturing and according to their use. Here are the main types of bars:

• Seamless Bars - These bars are produced from a single metal billet and therefore do not have any welds or joints and have continuous grain flow and high strength. Applied in applications where material integrity is paramount, including pressure vessels, pipelines and automotive applications. 
• Welded Bars – These bars are made from joining two or more metal pieces through welding hence they are cheaper compared to seamless bars though they have some welds. Used mainly in construction projects where structures that are not very important are being built, frames and supports. 
• Round Bars – Circular cross-section bars of various diameters and lengths used in machining, fabrications, constructions, and automotive industries for production of axles, shafts and pins. 
• Flat Bars – These are rectangular cross-section bars that are used in structures, frames, braces and building and ship construction. 
• SQUARE BARS – These are bars with a square cross-sectional shape which are used in construction and manufacturing industries for purposes such as railings, fences, gates, tools, and equipment among others. 
• Hexagonal Bars (Hex Bars) – Round bars having hexagonal cross-sectional profile used in the manufacture of bolts and nuts, and in metal working industries. 
• Deformed Bars (Rebars) – Bars with surface imperfections to increase the adhesion of concrete; play a significant role in reinforced concrete structures to increase tensile strength. 
• Bright Bars – Bars which are cold finished and have a smooth and bright surface and closer limits of dimensions used in automotive industry, machinery, tools etc. 
• Angle Bars (L Bars) – Bars that are bent into the form of the alphabet ‘L’ which is used primarily in construction of buildings, bridges and other structures. 
• Channel Bars (C Bars) – Bars with “C” or “U” cross-sectional profile which is used in structural applications in building construction, vehicle frames and equipment manufacturing since it has high strength and load carrying capacity. 

There are various types of bars and each of them possesses certain characteristics and is used depending on the needs of the application. 

Different Bars Materials

Bars can be made of different types of metal material that has its own characteristic that is applicable in certain uses. Here are some common metal materials in which bars are available:

• Steel Bars – Steel bars are very useful and are available in different types of steel such as carbon steel, alloy steel and stainless steel. Carbon steel bars are also very hard and have high tensile strength that is mainly used in construction and automotive sectors. Alloy steel bars have higher tensile strength and impact resistance ideal for applications under high stress. Stainless steel bars are used where cleanliness and rusting of the bars are of great concern. 
• Aluminum Bars - Aluminum bars are light weight, corrosion resistant and possess good electrical conductivity hence used in electrical applications, aerospace, transport and construction industries where weight is a factor. 
• Copper Bars - Copper bars are highly conductive and ductile, corrosion-resistant and thus used in electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC systems and many other industries. 
• Brass Bars - Brass bars are made of copper and zinc and possess good strength, corrosion resistance and ductility. They are employed in ornamental purposes, sanitary ware fittings, musical instruments, and ship equipments. 
• Bronze Bars - Bronze bars are mainly copper and tin based and are characterized by high hardness, wear and corrosion resistance. These are usually employed in bearings, bushing, gears, and in marine industries. 
• Titanium Bars – Titanium bars are light weight, high strength and have excellent corrosion resistance particularly in marine and other severe conditions. These are applied in aerospace, medical applications such as implants, military and chemical processing. 
• Nickel Alloy Bars – Nickel alloy bars are highly resistant to heat, corrosion, and oxidation, and therefore used in the production of jet engines, gas turbines, chemical processing equipment among others. 
• Lead Bars - Lead bars are heavy and offer good protection against radiation and therefore they are used in medical, nuclear and industrial facilities where radiation protection is required. 
• Zinc Bars – Zinc bars are mainly used in galvanizing to prevent steel from rusting. They are also employed in die casting, batteries and as a deoxidizer in the production of brass. 
• Magnesium Bars – Magnesium bars are the lightest of all structural metals and have high strength to weight ratio. They are applied in the automotive, aerospace and electronics industries where reduction of weight is significant. 

Both types of bar materials have their own unique properties that make them suitable for various industrial, construction and manufacturing application. 

Features of Bars 

There are several characteristics of bars that make them ideal for use in many industries as discussed below. Here are some important features of bars:

• Shape and Cross-Section - Bars are available in various shapes and cross-sections which include round, square, flat, hexagonal and rectangular. This versatility enables bars to be applied in various uses; structural members and as a means of joining materials. 
• Strength and Durability – Bars are made to be strong and long lasting. Depending on the type of material used, they have the capacity to bear loads, stresses and shocks hence being used in construction, manufacturing and engineering industries. 
• Corrosion Resistance – A number of bars including stainless steel, aluminum, copper and brass bars are highly resistant to corrosion. This feature makes them ideal for use in conditions that are unforgiving like marine, chemical and outdoor conditions. 
• Malleability and Machinability – Bars are generally ductile and can be easily shaped and/or machined. This means that they can be bent, shaped, cut or otherwise manipulated into various shapes and sizes which is important in custom fabrication and manufacturing. 
• Conductivity – certain bars, for instance, copper and aluminium bars, possess high electrical and thermal conductivity. This makes them suitable for applications such as electrical wiring, bus bars, heat exchangers and any other application where energy transfer is important. 
• Lightweight Options – Aluminum, magnesium, and titanium are some of the materials used in the production of bars and they are light but strong. These materials are ideal for use in any application where weight reduction is important as in aircrafts, automobiles and sporting equipment’s. 
• Heat Resistance – Nickel alloys, stainless steel and titanium are some of the materials that are used in the production of these bars and they are highly resistant to high temperatures. This feature is useful for the applications in which heat resistance is a crucial factor as in the jet engines, turbines and industrial furnaces. 
• Wear and Impact Resistance – Some of the bars including the hardened steel and bronze bars offer high wear and impact resistance. This makes them ideal for applications where they are likely to be worn out frequently like gears, bushings and any mechanical parts. 
• Appearance - Bars especially those of stainless steel, brass and bronze have a good appearance and are used in areas that need to have good looks such as in the construction industry, furniture and decorative products. 

These features make bars a very useful and widely used product in many industries such as construction, automotive, aerospace, electrical industries and many more.

Applications of Bars 

Bars are used in almost every industry because of their flexibility and the variety of materials that can be used for their production. Here are some common applications of bars:

• Construction – They are employed in construction of buildings and structures for reinforcement of concrete, construction of frameworks and construction of structural members such as beams and columns. 
• Manufacturing – Bars are used in the manufacturing of a wide range of products including; machine parts, tools, fasteners and equipment among others. 
• Automotive - Bars are used to manufacture axles, crankshafts, suspension systems and engine parts giving them strength and sturdiness. 
• Aerospace – Lightweight and high tensile strength bars are employed in aircrafts in the form of landing gears, structural frames and engine parts. 
• Electrical and Electronics – Copper and aluminum bars or bus bars are used for power distribution and in any part that requires high conductivity. 
• Marine – Corrosion-resistant bars are employed in ship construction, propeller shaft, fittings, and other marine purposes. 
• Oil and Gas – Bars are essential in manufacturing of drilling tools, pipelines and structures that are used in high pressure and corrosive conditions. 
• Medical – Biocompatible bars are used for implants, surgical instruments and prosthetics because of their high strength and resistance to corrosion. 
• Agriculture – Bars are applied in manufacture of plow and tiller among other agricultural implements due to their hardness and strength. 
• Ornamental and Structural – Some of the bars used for beautification purposes include stainless steel and brass that are used in railings, furniture and interior designing. 

 These are some of the numerous examples that show the relevance of bars in different industries.