HARTSVILLE, SC, USA – March 26, 2008 - EnduraMet® 32 stainless, a new grade of high quality, low nickel reinforcing bar (rebar) is now available as a lower cost alternative to stainless Alloy 2205 and AISI 316LN.

EnduraMet 32 stainless can be considered for bridge decks and parapets, barrier and retaining walls, anchoring systems, chemical plant infrastructure, coastal piers and wharves, pilings, dowel bars, welded-wire mesh and tie wire, and many other applications where excellent corrosion resistance and superior strength are required.

When imbedded in concrete, the new rebar alloy has corrosion resistance and strength comparable to that of the well known premium quality materials. The new product is made by Talley Metals, a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, PA.

With its low magnetic permeability, EnduraMet 32 stainless may be considered for concrete rebar applications in close proximity to sensitive electronic devices and magnetic resonance medical equipment. It also can be considered for the construction of deperming piers where low magnetic permeability is critical.

EnduraMet 32 stainless is a high-manganese, low-nickel, nitrogen-strengthened austenitic stainless steel that provides a significantly higher tensile strength than conventional austenitic stainless steels such as Type 304 and Type 316 without adversely affecting ductility, corrosion resistance or magnetic properties. In the hot rolled condition, yield strengths of 75 ksi (518 MPa) or higher can be achieved for bar diameters up to 2 in. (50.8 mm).

The new rebar material resists corrosion in concrete, meeting the 100+ year life requirement in current specifications. In the 15-week corrosion macrocell test in simulated concrete pore solution, EnduraMet 32 stainless had an average corrosion rate less than 0.25 micro-meter/yr. and a grade 75 strength capability.

EnduraMet 32 stainless rebar is available from Talley in standard rebar diameters of #3 to #16, in metric sizes of 10mm to 50 mm, and in lengths of 20 ft. to 40 ft.