Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Steel Bar Testing
(IS 13620 — Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coated)

Mechanical and coating quality testing of fusion-bonded epoxy coated reinforcement steel bars — verifying coating continuity, adhesion, thickness, holiday detection and tensile properties per IS 13620.

Overview

What is the Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Steel Bar Testing?

Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Steel Bars (ECR) are TMT or mild steel rebar coated with fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) powder at high temperature to provide a corrosion-resistant barrier for use in aggressive environments — marine structures, bridges, parking decks and coastal concrete exposed to chlorides.

At Global Lab, ECR testing per IS 13620 covers both the mechanical properties of the base bar (tensile, bend, rebend per IS 1786) and the coating quality parameters — coating thickness (150–300 μm), holiday (pinhole) detection, adhesion (mandrel bend test), continuity and impact resistance — ensuring the coating integrity required for corrosion protection.

Coating Thickness Measurement

Magnetic induction measurement of FBE coating thickness per IS 13620.

Holiday Detection

Electrical holiday detector identifies pinholes and discontinuities in coating.

Mandrel Bend Adhesion Test

Coating adhesion after 180° bend on specified mandrel — no cracking/disbonding.

Full IS 1786 Tensile Test

Base rebar tensile, yield, elongation per IS 1786 in addition to coating tests.

NABL Certified Reports

All results on NABL-accredited letterhead per IS 13620.

Impact Resistance Test

Coating impact resistance per IS 13620 — no cracking at specified energy.

Test in Action

Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Steel Bar Testing — Site Images

Coating Thickness Measurement by Magnetic Induction

Holiday Detector Testing Full Bar Length

Mandrel Bend Adhesion Test on ECR

Test Procedure

How the Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Steel Bar Testing is Conducted

1

Sample Selection

ECR samples selected per IS 13620 sampling procedure — minimum 3 bars per lot.
2

Coating Thickness

Magnetic induction gauge measures FBE thickness at 5 points per bar — min 150μm, max 300μm.
3

Holiday Detection

Holiday detector (67.5V) passed over entire bar surface. Number of holidays per metre recorded (≤0.1/m² per IS 13620).
4

Mandrel Bend Adhesion

Bar bent 180° on specified mandrel. Coating inspected for cracking or disbonding per IS 13620.
5

Tensile & Mechanical Test

Base rebar tensile properties per IS 1786. All results vs IS 13620 requirements. NABL report within 5 days.

Standards & Specifications

Applicable Test Standards

Standard	Title	Scope	Type
IS 13620	Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coated Reinforcing Bars — Specification	ECR Standard	Indian Standard
IS 1786:2008	High Strength Deformed Steel Bars and Wires for Concrete Reinforcement	Rebar Mechanical	Indian Standard
ASTM A775	Standard Specification for Epoxy-Coated Steel Reinforcing Bars	ECR Standard	ASTM
ASTM A934	Standard Specification for Epoxy-Coated Prefabricated Steel Reinforcing Bars	ECR Fabricated	ASTM

Applications

Where is the CAPO Test Used?

Marine and coastal concrete bridges and jetties using ECR to resist chloride attack

Multi-level car parks where de-icing salts penetrate to deck level

Water treatment plants and sewage structures in corrosive environments

Coastal high-rise building foundations and ground floor slabs

Port and harbour structures in tidal and splash zones

Chemical plant and industrial floor structures exposed to corrosive chemicals

Why Choose Global Lab

Our Advantages

NABL Accredited ReportsLegally valid IS 13620 coating and mechanical certificates for all projects.

Complete ECR Test SuiteCoating thickness, holiday, adhesion, impact and base bar tensile in one report.

Holiday Detection Equipment67.5V holiday detector per IS 13620 — precise pinhole identification.

Fast 5-Day TurnaroundComplete IS 13620 test suite reported within 5 days.

Pan-India CoverageECR testing at all 7 NABL-accredited lab locations.

Combined PackageECR + Pre-stressed strand + Standard rebar testing offered together.

Epoxy Coated Reinforcement Steel Bar Testing(IS 13620 — Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coated)