Plain MS Bars – Standard Specifications, Uses & Price
Falcon Steel Mill manufactures and supplies plain mild steel (MS) bars to ASTM, BS, and DIN mechanical benchmarks, giving structural engineers, machining workshops, and bulk buyers a single, verifiable specification sheet before they commit to an order. This page sets out the concerned standards, the mechanical properties behind each grade, the practical uses of plain round bars across construction and industry, and current pricing and delivery coverage across Pakistan.
International Standards & Mechanical Properties
"Plain" describes the surface finish, not the specification. Every plain MS bar we roll is still governed by a recognised mechanical standard, most commonly ASTM A36 / A615 for general-purpose mild steel, BS 4449 for the UK-derived designations still referenced across Pakistani engineering firms, and DIN 488 where European project specifications apply. Buyers sourcing for export-linked or multinational-supervised projects should confirm which standard their consultant has specified, since yield strength and elongation tolerances differ slightly between them.
Tensile / Yield Ratio requirement (ASTM) = Actual Tensile Strength ÷ Actual Yield Strength ≥ 1.10
| Property | Grade 40 [280] | Grade 60 [420] | Grade 80 [550] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Yield Strength | 40,000 psi [280 MPa] | 60,000 psi [420 MPa] | 80,000 psi [550 MPa] |
| Min. Tensile Strength | 60,000 psi [420 MPa] | 80,000 psi [550 MPa] | 100,000 psi [690 MPa] |
| Elongation (8″ / 200mm) | 11% – 12% | 7% – 9% | 6% – 7% |
Engineering note: Because plain bars share the same rolling chemistry and cross-section as their deformed-bar equivalents, the weight-per-metre and area calculations engineers already use for reinforced concrete design carry over directly to plain, smooth-profile stock.
Grades of Plain MS Bars We Supply
Grade 60 – High-Yield Plain Bars for Infrastructure
Rolled with a higher carbon-manganese chemistry, Grade 60 plain bars deliver roughly 50% more yield strength than Grade 40. This is the standard specification for smooth highway dowel bars, expansion joints, and heavier fabrication work.
Grade 80 – High-Tensile Plain Bars for Forging & Heavy Machinery
Supplied on bulk industrial request for excavator pins, shaft forging billets, and other components where cyclic load and torsional shear are the main design constraints.
Sizes & Weight Chart
| Diameter (mm) | Diameter (Inches) | Approx. Weight (Kg/m) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 mm – 12 mm | 5/16″ – 1/2″ | 0.39 – 0.89 kg | Fasteners, hooks, light grids |
| 16 mm – 25 mm | 5/8″ – 1″ | 1.58 – 3.85 kg | Fabrication, dowel bars, grills |
| 32 mm – 50 mm | 1-1/4″ – 2″ | 6.31 – 15.41 kg | Axles, shafts, gears |
| 75 mm – 100+ mm | 3″ – 4″+ | 34.68 – 61.65 kg | Forging billets, foundation anchors |
Standard mill length is 6 metres (approx. 20 feet); custom-cut lengths are available on bulk order.
Uses of Plain MS Bars
Because the surface is smooth rather than deformed, plain bars are chosen wherever a component needs to slide, rotate, or be machined cleanly — not bond into concrete. The main application groups are:
| End-Use Category | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
| Machining & Fabrication | Lathe-turned components, easy-weld structural rods, workshop stock |
| Infrastructure & Dowel Bars | Highway expansion joints, smooth load-transfer dowels, runway pavement joints |
| Automotive & Forging | Axle shafts, forging billets, heavy machinery pins and drive shafts |
| General Construction | Window grills, architectural framing, non-seismic tie rods |
Plain MS Bar Price in Pakistan & Bulk Quotations
Plain MS bar prices move with domestic steel billet and scrap valuations, so per-kg rates change frequently. Rather than publish a rate that goes stale within days, we recommend confirming current pricing directly with our commercial desk — this also lets us apply volume discounts for bulk and repeat orders.
Get a Direct Commercial Quotation
Share your required grade, diameter, and tonnage and we'll return a same-day quote, bypassing third-party trader markups.
Contact Our Commercial Sales OfficeNationwide Supply: Lahore, Karachi & Islamabad
Lahore & Punjab
Direct delivery to Sundar Industrial Estate, Kot Lakhpat, Sheikhupura, and DHA Lahore project sites.
Karachi & Sindh
Coastal and industrial logistics via Port Qasim, SITE, and Korangi Industrial Area.
Islamabad & Rawalpindi
Coverage across I-9/I-10 industrial zones and the Kahuta Triangle.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plain MS Bars
What is the standard length of an MS plain round bar?
Mills typically supply plain MS bars in 6-metre (approx. 20-foot) standard lengths. Custom lengths can be cut to order for bulk industrial supply.
What is the difference between a plain round bar and EN8 round bar?
A plain MS round bar is a general low-carbon steel bar meeting basic ASTM/BS mechanical requirements. EN8 is a specific medium-carbon steel grade with tighter chemical composition controls, giving it higher hardness and better response to heat treatment — making it the preferred choice for machined shafts and gears rather than general fabrication.
Which ASTM standard applies to plain MS bars?
Plain MS bars are most commonly referenced against ASTM A36 for general structural steel or ASTM A615 where the bar shares its chemistry with reinforcing steel grades. The applicable standard should be confirmed against your project's engineering specification, as tolerances vary between them.
Are plain round bars the same as ribbed (deformed) bars?
No. Plain bars have a smooth cylindrical surface suited to machining, sliding joints, and forging. Ribbed bars carry raised surface deformations designed specifically to bond mechanically with concrete, and are used for structural reinforcement rather than machining or dowel applications.
What is the current price of MS plain bars in Pakistan?
Rates shift daily with billet and scrap steel costs, so we don't publish a fixed per-kg price. Contact our commercial sales desk for the current rate in Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad based on your required grade and tonnage.
Can plain MS bars be used for concrete reinforcement?
Plain bars can be used in low-stress or non-seismic concrete work such as small tie rods, but they lack the mechanical bond that ribbed/deformed bars provide. For primary structural reinforcement, deformed bars are the standard choice.
Do you supply Grade 60 and Grade 80 plain bars in bulk?
Yes. Beyond standard Grade 40 stock, we roll high-yield Grade 60 and high-tensile Grade 80 plain bars to order for highway dowel bars, heavy fabrication, and forging billet applications.
Do you deliver plain MS bars nationwide?
Yes, we deliver to project sites and industrial zones in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and across Pakistan.
Ready to Source Plain MS Bars?
Request a Grade 40, Grade 60, or Grade 80 quotation tailored to your project's volume and delivery timeline.
Consult Our Metallurgical Sales Desk