DIN 488 Parts (-1 to -6) Explained
DIN 488 is Germany’s foundational reinforcing steel standard, structured across six parts that together specify grades, bar and coil properties, welded mesh, and test methods. This guide walks through each part — what it covers and why it matters for international buyers procuring German-quality rebar.
Why DIN 488 Matters for Rebar Buyers
DIN 488 — Betonstahl (reinforcing steel) — is the German national standard that complements the harmonised European standard EN 10080. While EN 10080 provides the general European framework, DIN 488 specifies the concrete grade designations, chemical composition limits, mechanical property requirements, and test procedures recognised under German building law (Bauregelliste) and the German national annex to Eurocode 2.
For international buyers, referencing DIN 488 alongside EN 10080 on a procurement specification signals that you expect German-standard quality with the full accompanying documentation — Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1), CE mark, Declaration of Performance, and grade-specific ductility confirmation. All products supplied by Steel Rebar Germany conform to the applicable parts of DIN 488.
The Six Parts of DIN 488 at a Glance
| Part | Title | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| DIN 488-1 | Reinforcing steel bars — General requirements | Grades B500A, B500B, B500C; mechanical properties (Re, Rm, k, Agt); chemical composition; delivery condition |
| DIN 488-2 | Reinforcing steel bars — Dimensions, masses, tolerances | Nominal diameters 6–40 mm; cross-sectional area; theoretical mass (kg/m); dimensional tolerances; rib geometry |
| DIN 488-3 | Reinforcing steel — Coils | B500A and B500B coil-form products (6–16 mm); properties, tolerances, and test requirements specific to coil |
| DIN 488-4 | Welded reinforcing steel mesh | Standard mesh types (Q- and R-types); wire diameters; mesh spacing; weld shear strength requirements; marking |
| DIN 488-5 | Lattice girders | Prefabricated lattice girder (Gitterträger) geometry, tolerances, weld requirements, and marking for filigree slab applications |
| DIN 488-6 | Test methods | Tensile test procedures, bend and rebend test, weld shear test for mesh, rib measurement methods — harmonised with EN ISO standards where applicable |
DIN 488-1: Grades, Mechanical Properties, and Chemistry
Part 1 is the core specification. It defines three grades:
- B500A — normal ductility; Re ≥ 500 MPa; k = Rm/Re ≥ 1.05; Agt ≥ 2.5%; typically cold-rolled coil for automated mesh and stirrup production
- B500B — high ductility; Re ≥ 500 MPa; k ≥ 1.08; Agt ≥ 5.0%; hot-rolled bar and coil; the standard structural grade for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure
- B500C — seismic ductility; Re ≥ 500 MPa; 1.15 ≤ k ≤ 1.35; Agt ≥ 7.5%; for earthquake-resistant structures per EN 1998
Chemical composition limits — carbon (C), sulfur (S), phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), and carbon equivalent (Ceq) — are prescribed to ensure reliable weldability per DIN EN ISO 17660. The maximum Ceq for B500B is typically 0.52%, confirming no special pre-heat is required for standard structural welding conditions.
DIN 488-2: Dimensions and the Weight Formula
Part 2 specifies the nominal diameters available (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 25, 28, 32, and 40 mm), the nominal cross-sectional area for each, and the theoretical mass per metre. The mass formula kg/m = d²(mm) × 0.00617 applies to all deformed bars. Dimensional tolerances on mass are ±4.5% for an individual bar and ±3.5% mean for a bundle — these are the values that appear in export inspection reports.
Part 2 also specifies the deformation (rib) geometry — minimum relative rib area fR, rib height, rib inclination, and rib spacing — that delivers the bond performance assumed in Eurocode 2 design.
DIN 488-3 and 488-4: Coils and Mesh
Part 3 covers coil-form rebar — B500A and B500B in diameters 6 to 16 mm, supplied in ring or coil form for automatic stirrup benders and mesh welding machines. The mechanical property requirements mirror Part 1 but include additional guidance on surface condition and coil geometry (inner diameter, coil weight) to ensure compatibility with automated processing equipment.
Part 4 covers welded reinforcing mesh (Betonstahlmatten). It defines the standard Q-type (square mesh) and R-type (rectangular mesh) panels, wire diameters from 4.0 to 12.0 mm, standard panel dimensions (typically 6.0 × 2.3 m), and the minimum weld shear strength (≥ 0.25 × Rm × As of the smaller wire). Mesh is produced from B500A or B500B wire welded at defined spacing to DIN EN ISO 17660.
DIN 488-5 and 488-6: Lattice Girders and Test Methods
Part 5 formalises requirements for lattice girders (Gitterträger) — the three-chord, welded truss assemblies used in filigree composite slabs. It specifies chord bar diameters, diagonal bar diameter and weld pitch, height tolerances, and marking requirements.
Part 6 consolidates the test methods: the tensile test (cross-referencing EN ISO 6892-1 for procedure), the bend test at defined mandrel diameters, the rebend test (rebend after 100 °C ageing — a measure of strain ageing susceptibility), and the weld shear test for mesh. These are the test types whose results appear on every compliant Mill Test Certificate and whose pass/fail criteria are stated in Parts 1–5.
Frequently Asked Questions: DIN 488
What is the difference between B500A and B500B under DIN 488?
Which DIN 488 part governs reinforcing mesh (Bewehrungsmatte)?
Does DIN 488 compliance guarantee CE marking?
What is the rebend test in DIN 488-6 and why does it matter?
Can DIN 488 rebar be used on projects outside Germany?
Source German-standard rebar with full export documentation
Tell us your specification and destination port — we’ll respond with a detailed quotation.