Basalt and Steel Strength Comparison
Basalt is lighter and stronger than steel. This means that you do not simply replace a #5 steel bar with a #5 basalt bar. Maybe a #4 will suffice. These tables show the details you need to make an informed decision. The values shown are general, while specific application values can be supplied on request.
Steel # Size
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
Diameter - Inches
0.25
0.375
0.5
0.625
0.75
0.875
1
1.125
1.25
Exact Metric Equivalent - mm
6.36
9.53
12.7
15.88
19.05
22.23
25.4
28.7
31.8
Common Metric Equivalent - mm
6
8
10
12
16
18
20
22
25
29
32
Steel # Size | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | ||
Diameter - Inches | 0.25 | 0.375 | 0.5 | 0.625 | 0.75 | 0.875 | 1 | 1.125 | 1.25 | ||
Exact Metric Equivalent - mm | 6.36 | 9.53 | 12.7 | 15.88 | 19.05 | 22.23 | 25.4 | 28.7 | 31.8 | ||
Common Metric Equivalent - mm | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 32 |
Size for size, Steel is a lot heavier than Basalt. This shows how much.
Steel # Size | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | ||
Common Metric Equivalent | 6mm | 8mm | 10mm | 12mm | 16mm | 18mm | 20mm | 22mm | 25mm | 29mm | 32mm |
Steel Weight-lbs. /Foot | 0.167 | 0.376 | 0.668 | 1.043 | 1.502 | 2.044 | 2.67 | 3.4 | 4.3 | ||
Basalt Rebar Weight lbs. /Foot | 0.038 | 0.07 | 0.109 | 0.147 | 0.277 | 0.345 | 0.427 | 0.517 | 0.666 | NA | 1.02 |
Weight Ratio--Steel to Basalt | 439% | 537% | 345% | 454% | 377% | 435% | 352% | 395% | 401% | 422% | |
Basalt is a lot stronger than steel for equivalent size. This table shows the ultimate ratio of tension when comparing basalt to steel.
Steel # Size | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | |||
Inch Size | 0.25 | 0.375 | 0.5 | 0.625 | 0.75 | 0.875 | 1 | 1.125 | 1.25 | |||
Exact Metric Equivalent | 6.36 | 9.53 | 12.7 | 15.88 | 19.05 | 22.23 | 25.4 | 28.63 | 31.81 | |||
Metric Equivalent- - mm | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 32 | |
Steel Cross Sectional Area-Sq. Inches | 0.049 | 0.11 | 0.2 | 0.31 | 0.44 | 0.6 | 0.79 | 0.995 | 1.229 | |||
Yield Strength-Psi - Schedule 60,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | 40,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | 60,000 | |||
Calculated Yield - Lbs. Force | 2,940 | 6,600 | 8,000 | 18,600 | 26,400 | 36,000 | 47,400 | 59,700 | 73,740 | |||
Tensile Strength In Psi - Schedule 60 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | 90,000 | |||
Calculated Ultimate Tension-Lbs. Force | 4,410 | 9,900 | 18,000 | 27,900 | 39,600 | 54,000 | 71,100 | 89,550 | 110,610 | |||
Metric Equivalent | 4mm | 6mm | 8mm | 10mm | 12mm | 16mm | 18mm | 20mm | 20mm | 25mm | 29mm | 32mm |
Basalt Rebar Cross Sectional Area-Sq. In. | 0.019 | 0.043 | 0.079 | 0.122 | 0.175 | 0.311 | 0.345 | 0.427 | 0.427 | 0.76 | 0.956 | 1.248 |
Tensile Strength - Psi | 195,800 | 181,297 | 174,045 | 174,045 | 159,541 | 145,037 | 130,534 | 130,534 | 116,030 | 116,030 | NA | 90,793 |
Computed Ultimate Tension - Lbs. Force | 3,720 | 7,796 | 13,750 | 21,233 | 27,920 | 45,107 | 45,034 | 55,738 | 49,545 | 88,183 | NA | 113,310 |
Ratio Of Ultimate Tension - Basalt to Steel | 177% | 139% | 214% | 155% | 162% | 114% | 141% | 92% | 124% | NA | 102% | |
Steel # Size | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 |
Basalt Size--Best Match | 4mm | 8mm | 10mm | 12mm | 16mm | 18mm | 22mm | 25mm | 32mm |
Steel Ultimate Tension- Lbs. Force | 4,410 | 9,900 | 18,000 | 27,900 | 39,600 | 54,000 | 71,100 | 88,183 | 113,310 |
Basalt Ultimate Tension- Lbs. Force | 3,720 | 13,750 | 21,233 | 27,920 | 45,107 | 51,430 | 68,342 | 89,550 | 110,610 |
Ratio Of Replacement Basalt to Steel | 84% | 139% | 118% | 100% | 114% | 95% | 96% | 98% | 102% |