---
title: "Reinforced concrete — density, melting point and properties"
description: "Reinforced concrete has a density of 2,500 kg/m³ (2,300–2,600). Melting point, strength, conductivity, what it is used for, and whether it floats, rusts or is magnet"
url: https://atoneplace.net/material/reinforced-concrete/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Reinforced concrete

**Density of reinforced concrete: 2,500 kg/m³ (2,300–2,600)**

2.50 g/cm³ · 156.1 lb/ft³

About 100 kg/m³ heavier than plain concrete because of the steel, which typically occupies 1-2% of the volume. The tensile figures here are still the concrete's: the reinforcement does not stop concrete cracking, it takes over once it has cracked, which is why hairline cracks in a reinforced slab are normal rather than a defect. The failure mode that matters is carbonation and chloride attack reaching the bars — rusting steel expands about six times and spalls the cover off, which is why cover depth is specified so carefully.

## Properties

- **Density:** 2,500 kg/m³ (2,300–2,600) — 2.50 g/cm³
- **Tensile strength:** 2–5 MPa
- **Young's modulus:** 30 GPa
- **Thermal conductivity:** 1.7 W/(m·K)
- **Thermal expansion:** 10 µm/(m·K)
- **Floats in water:** No
- **Magnetic:** No

## What it is used for

- Building frames, floors and columns
- Bridges and viaducts
- Retaining walls and basements
- Precast panels and beams

## How it compares

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything with a shorter bar than water floats in it.*

- air: 1.2 kg/m³
- expanded polystyrene foam: 20 kg/m³
- rigid polyurethane foam: 40 kg/m³
- Water — the float line: 1,000 kg/m³
- reinforced concrete: 2,500 kg/m³
- tungsten: 19,250 kg/m³
- gold: 19,300 kg/m³
- platinum: 21,450 kg/m³

*Water is 1,000 kg/m³. Anything below that floats.*

| Material | Density | Relative to water |
| --- | --- | --- |
| rigid polyurethane foam | 40 kg/m³ | 0.04× |
| expanded polystyrene foam | 20 kg/m³ | 0.02× |
| air | 1.2 kg/m³ | 0.00× |
| reinforced concrete ← | 2,500 kg/m³ | 2.50× |
| platinum | 21,450 kg/m³ | 21.45× |
| gold | 19,300 kg/m³ | 19.30× |
| tungsten | 19,250 kg/m³ | 19.25× |

## Does it rust?

Reinforced concrete contains no iron, so it cannot rust. Whether it degrades depends on the material, not on oxidation.

## Is it magnetic?

Reinforced concrete is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Common questions

### What is the density of reinforced concrete?

2,500 kg/m³ (2,300–2,600), or 2.50 g/cm³.

### Does reinforced concrete float?

No. At 2,500 kg/m³ it is denser than water.

### Is reinforced concrete magnetic?

Reinforced concrete is not a metal and has no ferromagnetic response.

## Related pages

- [Does reinforced concrete float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/reinforced-concrete/)
- [Concrete](https://atoneplace.net/material/concrete/)
- [Brick](https://atoneplace.net/material/brick/)
- [Gypsum board (drywall)](https://atoneplace.net/material/gypsum-board/)
- [Tungsten carbide](https://atoneplace.net/material/tungsten-carbide/)
- [Graphite](https://atoneplace.net/material/graphite/)
- [Porcelain](https://atoneplace.net/material/porcelain/)
- [Plaster](https://atoneplace.net/material/plaster/)
- [Silicon carbide](https://atoneplace.net/material/silicon-carbide/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)