LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Commercial Code (ICC) Evaluation Services, developer of the International Building Code (IBC), recently issued AC 429 Acceptance Criteria for High-Strength Steel Reinforcing Bars, expanding the applications of high-strength concrete reinforcing steel bars (rebar) up to 100 ksi. This action by ICC Evaluation Services supports the continued utilization of MMFX2 (ASTM A1035) Grade 100 [690 MPa] rebar to build safer, stronger and more cost effective structures while solving difficult design and construction challenges.
The Acceptance Criteria was drafted based on the American Concrete Institute (ACI) ITG-6R-10, Design Guide for the Use of ASTM A1035 / A1035M Grade 100 (690) Steel Bars for Structural Concrete, and provides clear international building code standards and guidelines for designing structures with 100 Grade (690 MPa) rebar.
High-strength rebar, such as MMFX2 100 Grade (690MPa) bar sold in North America by MMFX Steel Corporation of America and the Middle East by MMFX Steel DMCC, allows structures to be designed and built with 20% to 50% less steel and up to 60% lower labor costs. In addition, by specifying high-strength steels, designers can solve costly rebar congestion problems and developers can complete structures more quickly, resulting in substantial cost savings.
MMFX2 rebar is also more ductile than other high-strength steels and can be fabricated using conventional fabrication equipment. MMFX2 rebar further offers superior corrosion-resistance, resulting in longer-lasting buildings and other structures without the problems and special handling requirements associated with coated rebar. The product's combined strength and corrosion-resistance improves constructability and sustainability.
With the ITG-6 Design Guide and the newly issued ICC-Evaluation Services Acceptance Criteria, designers and contractors have clear guidance regarding the applications of MMFX2 Grade 100 (690) steel rebar to value engineer and build better, safer, and stronger buildings more efficiently.
About MMFX Technologies Corporation
MMFX Technologies Corporation, headquartered in Irvine, California, is a material science company focused on commercializing its patented micro- and nanotechnologies that enable the manipulation of steel microstructure to derive optimum product properties. The Company has successfully commercialized its groundbreaking science through the marketing and sale of its high-demand MMFX2 branded products, uncoated concrete reinforcing steels that provide superior strength and corrosion resistance. MMFX2 is marketed and sold through its two operating subsidiaries, as well as Portland, Oregon-based licensee, Cascade Steel Rolling Mills.
About MMFX Steel Corporation of America
An operating subsidiary of MMFX Technologies Corporation, MMFX Steel Corporation of America, also based in Irvine, California, markets and sells MMFX2 branded concrete reinforcing steel products throughout North America. Applications include bridges and highway systems, high-rise buildings and numerous commercial/industrial applications. Independent scientific tests have shown MMFX2 rebar to be five times more corrosion-resistant than and up to two times as strong as conventional steel.
About MMFX Steel DMCC
MMFX Steel DMCC (“MMFX DMCC”), a Dubai Multi-Commodity Center corporation, is the Middle East subsidiary of MMFX Technologies Corporation. Utilizing its parent company’s proprietary and patented nanotechnology, MMFX DMCC markets and sells the uncoated corrosion-resistant, high-strength concrete reinforcing steel (“rebar”), MMFX2, throughout the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region. MMFX2 rebar is sold under the specifications ASTM A1035 Grades 690 and 830.