L

IS 166d : 1890
( Reaffirmed 1996 )

Indian Standard
BLOCKBOARDS -SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision )
First Reprint October, 1993
( Incorporating Amendments No. 1 and 2 1

UDC 674 - 419.33

0 BIS 1993

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

October 1993 Price Group 6

Wood Products Sectional Committee, CED 20

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard ( Third Revision ) was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards on
19 March 1990, after the draft finalized by the Wood Products Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.
Blockboards are being used in increasing quantities in the construction of railway carriage, bus bodies,
marine and river crafts and for furniture making, partitions, panelling, prefabricated houses, etc. This
standard was originally formulated in 1960 and subsequently revised in 1969 and 1979 to lay down the
method of manufacture and tests for such boards with a view to assuring the optimum performance
requirements for different uses. The third revision is based on the experience gained in the manufac-
ture and the use of blockboards over the years and the modifications mainly relate to the manufacture
of cores and review of species of timber. Due to depleting resources of timber, species specified in this
revision are made recommendatory.
In the formulation of this standard, due weightage has been given to internatronal co-ordination among
standards and practices prevailing in different countries in addition to relating it to the practices in the
field in this country.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the
final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off
in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘ Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ) ‘. The number of
significant places retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in
this standard.
 IS 1659: 1990

Indian Standard
BLOCKBOARDS - SPECIFICATION
( Third Revision )
1 SCOPE 4.3 The grades and types of blockboards shall
be represented by the symbols given below:
1.1 This standard covers the essential require-
ments of commercial and decorative blockboards Grade and Type Symbol
meant for interior and exterior uses. Exterior grade, commercial type XCOM
2 REFERENCES Exterior grade, decorative type XDEC
2.1 The Indian Standards listed in Annex A are Interior grade, commercial type ICOM
necessary adjuncts to this standard. Interior grade, decorative type IDEC
3 TERMINOLOGY 5 MATERIALS
3.0 For the purpose of this standard, the defini- 5.1 Timber
tions given in IS 707 : 1976 and the following
5.1.1 Any suitable species of timber may be used
shall apply.
for blockboard manufacture. A list of species
3.1 Blockboard for manufacture of blockboard is given in
Annex B for guidance.
Blockboard is a having a core made of
strips wood, not 30 mm in 5.1.2 Face Veneers for Decorative Type of
width may may not glued Blockboards
the core glued between or more outer
with direction of grains the A list of species for face veneers of decorative
blocks running right angles to the of type of blockboards is given in Annex C for
grains the adjacent veneers. guidance.

4 GRADES AND TYPES 5.2 Adhesives

4.1 Blockboards shall be of the following two The adhesives used for bonding purposes shall be
grades: the BWP type conforming to IS 848 : 1974 for
a) Grade 1 Grade 1 blockboards. For Grade 2 blockboards,
the adhesives shall be BWR or MR type con-
Exterior grade of blockboard which is forming to IS 848 : 1974.
meant for bus bodies, railway coaches,
prefabricated houses, etc, where it is likely 6 MANUFACTURE
to be exposed to high humidity.
b) Grade 2 6.1 Preservative Treatment
Interior grade of blockboard which is Species of timber marked with ( t ) in Annexes B
meant for furniture, partition, panelling, and C and sapwood of all species, and all non-
ceiling, etc. durable species shall be treated as mentioned in
4.2 Each of the grades specified in 4.1 shall be IS 401 : 1982. Trimmed and cut ends of a
of the following two types: finished blockboard shall be given a protective
Type 1 Blockboards, Decorative Type treatment.
a)
These are blockboards with decorative 6.2 Core
face veneers on one or both sides for use
in high class furniture, panelling, interior
decoration, partitions, etc. The wooden strips for core shall be cut out
from timber seasoned to a moisture content not
b) Type 2 Blockboards, Commercial Type exceeding 12 percent according to IS 1141 : 1978.
These are blockboards with veneers of The width of each strip of wood shall not exceed
commercial timber on both sides and are 30 mm. These strips may consist of specimens
used for ordinary furniture, table tops, of small lengths placed end to end where the
partitions and panelling to be painted end joints shall be staggered. In any one block-
over, flooring and seats of bus bodies, board, the core strips shall be of one species of
railway carriage, etc. timber only.

1
IS 1659 : 1990

6.3 Crossbands and Faces 8.1.2.1 These blockboards shall be selected at

random. In order to ensure randomness of selec-
Veneers used for crossbands and faces shall be tion, all blockboards in the lot may be arranged
either rotary cut or sliced and shall be reason- in a serial order and every rth blockboard be
ably smooth. selected till the required number is obtained, r
6.3.1 Crossband shall be not less than 1.0 mm being the integral part of N/n where N is the lot
but not more than 3.0 mm in thickness. Face size and n the sample size. For other methods of
veneers shall be between 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm in random selection, IS 4905 : 1968 may be referred
thickness for commercial type of blockboards to.
and 0.5 mm to 1,O mm in thickness for decora- 8.1.3 Defects
tive type of blockboards.
All blockboards selected as in 8.1.2 shall be in-
6.3.2 The construction shall be well balanced spected visually for surface defects ( see 6.3.3 )
around the central line. and if one or more blockboards are found un-
satisfactory, the lot shall be declared as unaccep-
6.3.3 Permissible defects and tolerances on
thickness shall conform to IS 303 : 1989 and table.
IS 1328 : 1982 for commercial and decorative 8.1.4 Length and Width
veneers, respectively. All blockboards selected as in 8.1.2 shall have
7 DIMENSIONS AND TOLERANCES length and width within the tolerances specified
under 7.3.
7.1 Thickness
8.1.5 Thickness
The thickness of blockboards shall be 12, 15, 19,
25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 mm. All blockboards selected as in 8.1.2 shall have
its mean thickness and variation in thickness in
7.2 Sizes each board as specified under 7.3 when tested by
Blockboards shall be of sizes as prescribed in the method described in Annex D.
IS 12049 : 1987. 8.2 Test Specimens and Number of Tests
NOTE - Any other dimensions as agreed to between 8.2.1 The selected blockboards as in 8.1.2 shall
the manufacturer and the purchaser may be used. be taken up for cutting of test specimens for
7.3 Tolerances further testing.
8.2.2 From each of the blockboards selected,
Tolerances on dimensions shall be in accordance following test specimens shall be cut from the
with IS 12049 : 1987. portion 150 mm away from the edges: i
8 SAMPLING AND 1NSPECTION a) Three test specimens of size 200 mm x
12 mm for thi test mentioned in 9.2.2;
8.1 Scale of Sampling
b) Three test specimens of size 200 mm x
8.1.1 Lo? 100 mm for the test mentioned in 9.2.3;
In any consignment, all blockboards of the same cl Three test specimens of size 150 mm x
grade, type and dimensions and manufactured 100 mm for the test mentioned in 9.2.4;
under similar conditions shall be grouped toge- d) Three square test specimens of size (14 d)
tber to constitute a lot. + 50 mm for the test mentioned in
8.1.1.1 The conformity of a lot to the require- 9.2.5 (a), if required; d being the average
lhickncss of the specimen in millimetres;
ments of this standard shall be ascertained on
the basis of tests on blockboards selected from e> Three test specimens of size 200 mm x
it. !OOmm for the test in 9.2.5(b), if required;
8.1.2 The number of blockboards to be selected f 1 Three test specimens of size ( 36 d+ 100 )
from a lot shall be in accordance with Table 1. x 150 mm for the test mentioned in 9.2.5
(c), if required where d is the nominal
Table 1 Number of Blockboards to be Selected thickness m millimetres; and
Lot Size Number of Blockboards g) Six test specimens of size 200 x 12 mm
to be Selected for the test mentioned in 9.2.1.
N 8.2.3 The test specimens so obtained shall be
(1) b, conditioned in accordance with 9.1 and the
up to 100 2 thickness of each test specimen shall be measured
101 to 300 3
by the method given in Annex D and the mean
of all such measurements calculated. The test
301 to 500 5
specimens shall then be tested for the corres-
501 and above 8 ponding tests.

2
 IS 1659 : 1990

8.3 Criteria for Conformity
8.3.1 A lot shall be considered as conforming to
the requirements of this standard if the require-
ments mentioned in 9.2.1 to 9.2.4 are all satis-
fied.
9 TESTS
9.1 Preparation and Conditioning of Test Pieces
9.2.2.1 Test specimens from Grade 1 block-
boards, after soaking in boiling water for
72 hours and tested as in Annex F shall comply
with the requirements of 9.2.3.
9.2.2.2 Test specimens from Grade 2 block-
boards, after soaking of test pieces for 3 hours
in water at a temperature of 60-&2 “C and tested
as in Annex F shall comply with the require-
ments of 9.2.3.

The required test specimens shall be cut to the 9.2.3 Adhesion of Piles
specified size as given in 8.2.2. Each test speci-
men shall be rectangular with all edges cut The adhesion of piles shall be tested as in
square to the surface. Before any tests are made, Annex H and the fractured surface of the speci-
the prepared test pieces shall be suitably condi- men shall show adherent fibres of a ‘pass
tioned. standard’.

NOTE - Exposure for 24 hours to the air of a well- 9.2.4 Mycological Test
ventilated room will often suffice but when a greater
degree of accuracy is required, the test piece shall
be exposed to an atmosphere maintained at a tem-
When tested according to Annex G, the test
perature of 27 + 2°C and at a relative humidity of specimens shall show no visible signs of separa-
65 + 5 percent until they are substantially constant tion at the edges.
in mass.

9.2 The blockboards shall be subjected to the 9.2.5 Additional Tests

following tests and shall satisfy the requirements
specified under each test. If required by the purchaser, following additional
tests may be carried out and the requirements
9.2.1 Dimensional Changes Caused by Humidity being as agreed to between the purchaser and
the supplier:
When tested according to Annex E, the dimen-
sions shall not change by more than & 1 mm at a) Central loading of blockboard plate test
relative humidities of 90 percent and 40 percent ( Annex J ),
compared to the dimensions of the specimens
conditioned at 65 percent relative humidity. b) Flexural strength test ( Annex K ), and
There shall be no delamination at the extreme
ranges of humidity and the changes in local c) Deflection under sustained load test
planeness measured as d/L shall be as follows: ( Annex L ).

d/L < l/150 10 MARKING

where
10.1 Each blockboard shall be legibly and
d = vertical gap between any two points, indelibly marked on any of its edges with the
and following:
L = horizontal distance between these
points. a) Indication of the source of manufacture,

9.2.2 Resistance to Water b) Grade and type of blockboard,

When tested according to the methods specified c) Thickness, and I
in 9.2.2.1 and 9.2.2.2, the blockboards shall
satisfy the requirements given therein. d) Batch number and year of manufacture. 1
 IS 1659 : 1990

ANNEX A
( Clause 2.1 )

LIST OF INDIAN STANDARDS REFERRED IN THIS STANDARD

IS No. Title IS No. Title

303 : 1989 Specification for plywood for 1141 : 1978 Code of practice for seasoning
general purposes ( third revi- of timber (first revision )
sion ) /
401 : 1982 Code of practice for preserva- 1328 : 1982 Specification for veneered
tion of timber ( third revision ) decorative plywood ( second
707 : 1976 Glossary of terms applicable for revision )
timber technology and utiliza-
tion ( second revision ) 4905 : 1968 Methods for random sampling
848 : 1974 Specification for synthetic resin
adhesives for plywood ( pheno- 12049 : 1987 Dimensions and tolerances
lit and animoplastic ) (first relating to wood based panel
revision ) materials

ANNEX B
( Clauses5.1.1 and6.1 )

TIMBER FOR BLOCKBOARD ( OTHER THAN FOR FACE VENEERS OF

DECORATIVE TYF’E BLOCKBOARDS )

NOTE - Species of timber to be treated ( see 6.1 1 are indicated Py (t).

Standard Botanical Name Abbrevia- Standard Botanical Name Abbrevia-

Trade Name tion Trade Name tion
Aini Artocarpus hirsutus AIN Devdam Dysoxylum binectariferum DEV
-1Aldzr Alnus spp. ALD +Dillenia Dillenia spp . DIL
Amari Amoora spp. AMA Dipika Mansonia dipikae DIP
Arj un Terminalia arjuna ARJ ( Lapse )
tBahera Terminalia bellerica BAH Ebony Diospyros spp. ( other EBO
Benteak Lagerstroemia lanceolata BEN than Diospyros
mormorata )
Birch Betula spp. BTR
Fir Abies spp. FIR
Bonsum Phoebe spp. BON
Gamari Gmelina arborea GAM
jcarallia Carallia brachiata CAR
( Maniawga ) ( Syn. C. integerrima ) Gendelipoma Dysoxylum hamiltonii GEN
Champ Michelia spp. CHM ?Gokul Ailandhus integrifolia GOK
( Syn. A. grandis )
Chaplash Artocarpus chaplasha CHP
Gurjan Dipterocarpus spp. ( other GUR
Chikrassy Chukrasia velutina CHI than D. macrocarpus )
( Syn. C. tabularis )
Haldu Adina cordifolia HAL
-fChilauni Schima wallichii CHL
Hathipaila Pterospermum acerifolium HAT
Chir Pinus roxburghii CHR
( Syn. P. Longifolia ) Hollock Terminalia myriocarpa HOL
Cinnamon Cinnamomum spp. CIN Hollong Dipterocarpus macrocarpus HON
Debdaru Polyalthia spp. DEB -i_Jaman Syzygitrm spp. JAM
( Nedunar ) *Jhingan Lannea coromandelica JHI
Deodar Cedr us deodara DE0 ( Syn. Lannea grandis )

4
 IS 1659 : 1990

Standard Botanical Name Abbrevia- Standard Botanical Name Abbrevia-

Trade Name tion Trade Name iion
tKai1 Pinus wallichiana KAL fPine y Kingiodendron pinnatum PIN
( Syn. P. excelsa ) ( Syn. Hardwickia pinnata )
-fKanj u Holoptelea integrifolia KAN Poon Calophyllum spp. PO0
-fKarani Cullenia rosayroana KAR Pussur Xylocarpus spp. PUS
( Syn. C. excelsa ) Ppinma Lagerstroemia hypoleuca PYI
Kathal Artocarpus heterophyllus KAT
Red Bombwe Planchonia valida RBO
( Syn. A. integrifolius )
( Syn. P. andamanica )
Kindal Terminalia paniculata KIN
l_Red Dhup Parishia insignis RDti
Kokko Albizia lebbeck KOK Rosewood Dalbergia latijolia ROS
Lakooch Artocarpus lakoocha LAK Silver Oak Grevillea robusta SOA
-&ampat i Duabynga grandiflora LAP Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo SIS
( Syn. D. sonneratioides )
TSpruce Picea smithiana SPR
Laurel Terminalia alata LAU
( Syn. P. morinda )
( Syn. T. coriaceo,
T. crenulata ) Teak Tactona grandis TEA
Machilus Machilus spp. MAC Toon Toona ciliata TOO
( Syn. Cedrela toona )
Mahogany Swietenia spp. MAG
tVatice Vatica spp. VAT
-fMaina Tetrameles nudifora MAI
TVelIapine Vateria indica VEL
Makai Shorea assamica MAK
Walnut Juglans regia WAL
-i-Mango Mangifera spp. MAN
TWhite Terminalia procera WBO
Maple Acer spp. MAP
Bombwe
Mullilam Zanthoxylum rhetsa MUI
( Syn. Fagara budrunge; White Cedar Dysoxylum malabaricum WCE
Z. budurunga ; Z. limonella ) TWhite Terminalia bialata WCH
TMundan i Acrocarpus fraxinifolius MUN Chuglam.
Pali Palagquium ellipticum PAL tWhite Dhup Canarium spp. WDH

ANNEX C
( Clauses 5.1.2 and 6.1 )

TIMBER FOR FACE VENEERS OF DECORATIVE TYPE BCOCKBOARDS

NOTE - Species of timber to be treated ( see 6.1 ) are indicated by ( i’ ).

Standard Botanical Name Standard Botanical Name Abbrevi-

Trade Name Trade Name ated
Symbol Symbol

Birch Betula spp. BIR TKanju Holoptelea integrifolia KAN

Bela Morus laevigata BOL Kokko Albizia lebbeck KOK
Champ Michelia spp. CHM Laurel Terminalia alata LAU
Chaplash Artocarpus chaplasha CHP ( Syn. T. coriacea;
Chikrassy Chukrasia velutina CHI T. crenulata )
( Syn. C. tebularis ) Mahogany Swietenia spp. MAG
Cinnamon Cinnamomum spp. CIN Makai Shorea assamica MAK
Devdam Dysoxylum binectnriferum DEV Maple Acer spp. MAP
Dipika Monsonia dipikao DIP Mullilam Zanthoxylum rhetsa MUI
( Lapse) ( Syn. Fagara budrunga;
Gendelipoma Dysoxylum hamiltonii GEN Z. budrunga; Z. limonella )

5
TS 1659 : 1990

Standard Botanical Name Abbrevi- Standard Botanical Name Abbrevi-

Trade Name ated Trade Name ated
Symbol Symbol

Narikel Pterygota alata NAR Sissoo Dalbergia sissoo SIS

Padauk Pterocarpus dalbergicides PAA Teak Tactona grandis TEA
Poon Calophyllum spp. PO0 Walnut Juglans regia WAL
Rosewood Delbergia latifolia ROS White Cedar Dysoxylum malabaricum WCE
Siris Albizia chinensis SIR tWhite Terminalia biolata WCH
( Syn. A. stipulata ) Chuglam ( Sapwood )

ANNEX D
( Clauses 8.1.5 and 8.2.3 )

TEST FOR THICKNESS AND VARIATION IN THICKNESS

D-l PROCEDURE be taken approximately 20 mm inside the edges

of the test pieces, namely, at four corners, and
D-l.1 Each board shall be tested for thickness. at midpoints of the long edges.

D-1 .l. 1 Thickness D-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS

The thickness shall be measured in millimetres D-2.1 The mean thickness of each of the test
to an accuracy of f O-02 mm. Six readings shall pieces shall be reported.

ANNEX E
( Clause 9.2.1 )

FOR DETERMINING CHANGES BY HUMIDITY

EL1 PROCEDURE they be weighed measured from

t3 time such intervals as be required
E-l.1 test specimens shall constant mass dimensions are obtain-
in atmosphere maintained 27 &- “C and
65 & percent relative humidity constant
mass. length of test specimen be E-2 REPORTING OF RESULTS
measured an accuracy f 0.5 making
use a jig permits the piece to E-2.1 in and thickness as
pressed against flat plate eliminate the compared those of test
of any that may occurred. The specimen be reported each test
of each specimen shall men at relative humidity.
measured, to accuracy of mm at
NOTE If a humidity is not
marked points, at each and one the the required atmospheres be obtained
mid-point of length. approximately by an airtight containing
moist salts follow:
E-l.2 the number these test
shall then placed in atmosphere 90 relative humidity : Sodium carbonate
ed at f 5 and the half in f 65 percent relative humidity : Ammonium nitrate
5 relative humidity 27 f and 40 percent relative humidity : Magnesium chloride

6

ANNEX F
( Clauses9.2.2.1 and 9.2.2.2
TEST FOR DETERMINING
F-l PROCEDURE
F-l.1 For testing of Grade 1 blockboards, test
specimens shall be submerged in a Span of cold
water, care being taken that the pieces do not
touch the bottom of the pan. Water shall then
be brought to the boiling temperature and
maintained at this temperature for 72 hours.
The test specimens shall then be removed from
the boiling water and plunged immediately into
cold water. The 72-hour period may be reckoned
as an aggregate of shorter periods of boiling,
the test specimens being left in cold water
between such periods when the water is not
boiling.
ANNEX G
( Clause 9.2.4 )
MYCOLOGICAL
,G-1 PROCEDURE
G-l.1 A flat rectangular dish of enamelled iron,
glass or porcelain ( such as a photographic
developing dish ) shall be filled to a depth not
less than 25 mm with a layer of sawdust
obtained from a non-durable timber like Semul
( Salmalia rnalabarica ), in its natural condition.
The sawdust shall have previously been moisten-
ed with water containing 14 g per litre of sucrose
( normally cane sugar would be used but if not
available, 30 g of commercial malt extract may
be substituted ) so that it is saturated with
moisture, but not so wet that free water can be
squeezed out of it by hand pressure. To attain
this condition with dry sawdust, it is usually
necessary to add water three times its mass.
G-I.2 The sawdust shall then be charged with
spores of commonly occurring Indian fungi
loosely campacted, and the test specimens then
ANNEX
( Clauses 9.2.3 and F-2.1
TEST FOR ADHESION
H-l APPARATUS
H-l.1 The type of knife required to be used in
the test is given in Fig. 1. It may be made from
.a file. The cutting edge should be kept chisel
sharp.
IS 1659 : 1990
)
RESISTANCE TO WATER
F-l.2 For testing of Grade 2 blockboards the
test specimens shall be submerged in a pan of
cold water, care being taken to see that they do
not touch the bottom of the pan. Water shall
then be brought to the temperature of 60 &PC
and maintained at this temperature for 3 hours.
The test specimens shall then be removed from
the hot water and plunged immediately into
cold water.
F-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS
F-2.1 The results shall be reported as ‘pass
standard’, ‘excellent’ or ‘poor’ after carrying out
the tests as in Annex H.
TEST
pressed down into it so that their upper surface
are in level with the top of the sawdust layer.
G-l.3 The. dish shall then be covered with a
sheet of glass and the edges (of the dish sealed
against glass with a strip of material, such as,
modelling wax, so that the atmosphere round
the test specimens shall remain saturated with
water vapour.
G-l.4 The dish and contents shall be maintained
at 27 & 2 “C for a period of 3 weeks, after which
the test specimens shall be removed, washed in,
cold water until cool and whilst still water soak-
ed, shall be checked for compliance with the
requirements of 9.2.4.
G-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS
G-2.1 The test results shall be reported as con-
forming to the standard or otherwise.
H
)
OF PLIES
H-l.2 The test shall be carried out on a stout
table to which is screwed a wooden batten
against which the edge of the test specimen is
placed as indicated in Fig. 2.
7
IS 1659 : 1990

A KNIFE OF THIS KIND CAN BE

MADE FROM 250 X 25mm FILE

I
25 mm

FIG. 1 KNIFE FOR TESTING PLYWOOD FQR ADHBSION OF PLIBS

FIG. 2 METHOD OF TESTING FOR ADHBSION

8

H-2 PROCEDURE
H-2.1 The knife is inserted with its cutting edge
parallel to the grain of the outer veneer and
worked into, or if possible, along a glue line
and the veneer is prised upward. A hard and
dense species requires considerable force to
effect entry and to prise the veneer. In a soft
species, the knife tends to follow an easy course
through the wood and in this case, it is essential
that the knife be firmly guided along the glue
line.
H-2.2 Example of cases when the bond just
passes the requirement is indicated in Fig. 3 and
this is judged by the relative amounts of wood
fibre left on the core veneer, and the area
prised off. The grading is assessed chiefly on the
appearance of the break but is a concomitant
requirement that the force shall be needed to
effect separation.
H-2.3 The bond is ‘excellent’ when it is difficult
to find the glue line and impossible to keep the
tool within it for more than 6 mm without cutt-
ing into adjacent wood. On prising upwards,
the veneer usually breaks off over a width only
slightly greater than that of the tool. Examples
of ‘excellent’ bond are illustrated in Fig. 4.
H-2.4 The bond is ‘poor’ when the knife meets
little opposition into the glue line and the prise
results in the easy removal of almost all the
veneers from one side of the test specimen. The
separated veneers are usually almost free from
adherent fibre. Examples of ‘poor’ bond are
illustrated in Fig. 5.
FIG. 3 EXAMPLEOF ‘MINIMUM PASS’ STANDARD
IS 1659 : 1990
H-3 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS
H-3.1 The results shall be reported as ‘pass
standard’, ‘excellent’ or ‘poor’ ( see Fig. 3, 4
and 5 ). Blockboards designated as ‘poor’ shall
be declared as unsatisfactory. .
H-4 TEST FOR GLUE ADHESION BETWEEN
CORE AND ADJOINING VENEERS
H-4.1 To test the glue adhesion between the
core and the adjoining veneers and also to test
the glue adhesion between battens of core, if
required, the qualitative test as given in H-4.1.1
may be used.
H.4.1.1 The central core strips shall be forcibly
separated from its adjacent veneer by a chisel
inserted in the bond line and affecting the sepa-
ration in the direction of the core strips. The
capacity of the bond should be judged by the
relative amount of wood fibres left by the veneer
and the core strips. Force shall be needed to
effect the separation. The grading should be
assessed on the basis of the appearance of the
failure. The bond should be condsidered exce-
llent when it is difficult to find the glue line
clearly for more than 10 mm length along the
battens and on its entire width without torn
fibres appearing on the area of separation. The
bond should be Tconsidered as cpoor’ when the
chisel meets little opposition in the glue line
and if there is an easy separation between the
core strips and the veneers. If the glue adhesion
between battens of the core in a blockboard in
which the core strips are bonded is to be tested,
a similar procedure and criteria may be followed.
IS 1659:1990

FIG. 4 EXAMPLESOF ‘EXCELLENT’ ADHESION

FIG. 5 EXAMPLESOF ‘POOR’ ADHESION - continued

10
 FIG. 5 EXAMPLESOF ‘POOR’ ADHESION- concluded

ANNEX J
[ Clause 9.2.5 (a) ]

CENTRAL LOADING OF BLOCKBOARDS PLATE TEST

.J-1 PROCEDURE
J-l.1 Each specimen shall be simply supported
on a square rig having smooth cylindrical edges
on the top. The centre-to-centre distance
between the opposite edges of the rig shall be
14 times the average thickness of the blockboard
plate. A load shall be applied on the top at the
centre of the blockboard plate by means of a
hemispherical head of a radius equal to 3 times
the thickness. The hemispherical head shall be
made of either steel or of hard compressed wood
( see Fig. 6 ).
J-1.1.1 The load shall be applied at an even rate
of deflection II = d/IO mm per minute where dis
thickness in mm if mechanical type testing
machine is used. If hydraulic type testing
machine is used, the loading rate shall be about
2 000 N per minute.
J-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS
J-2.1 The average maximum load for a particular
thickness and type of blockboard shall be
reported.
NOTE - If the blockboard plate test is to be done in
wet condition, the specimen shall be jmmersed in
water for 24 hours at room temperature. The test FIG. 6 TYPICAL ILLUSTRATION OF CENTRAL
specimen shall then be tested immediately and the
maximum load shall be recorded. LOADING OF BLOCKEOARDPLATII TEST
ISi1659 : 1990

ANNEX K
[ Clause 9.2.5 (b) ]
FLEXURAL STRENGTH TEST

K-l PROCEDURE K-2.1.1 The effective modulus of rupture (f)

shall be calculated as follows:
K-l.1 Each test specimen shall be simply sup-
ported on parallel rollers having a radius of 10 3 ws
f = 2 N/mm%
to 12 mm, spaced at 150 mm centre-to-centre
and free to rotate in ball or roller bearings. A where
load shall then be applied at the centre of the W = mean ultimate failing load in N to the
span along a line parallel with the end supports nearest N or to within O-5 percent of-
by means of a bar rounded to a radius between the load,
10 and 12 mm.
s = measured span between centres of
K-1.1.1 The load shall be applied at an even rate supports ( 150 mm ),
or at a rate such as will produce an even rate of b - mean width of test specimens in mm,.
increase in strain, and shall be so adjusted that and
the test will be completed in a period of not
less than half a minute and not more than d - mean thickness of test specimens in
4 minutes. mm.
NOTES
K-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS 1 Repeat the strength tests and record separate
results for test specimens cut parallel with, and at
K-2.1 The ultimate load at which each test right angles to the grain.
specimen fails and the mean of these loads shall 2 If the flexural strength when wet is required, the
be reported. The effective modulus of rupture test specimens shall be immersed in water for 24
calculated as given in K-2.1.1 shall also be hours. The test specimens shall then be tested imme-
diately for flexural strength and the effective modulus
reported. of rupture determined as above.

ANNEX L
[ Clause9.2.5 (c) ]
DEFLECTION UNDER SUSTAINED LOAD TEST

L-l PROCEDURE sustained after a period of 24 hours ( and at

El.1 Each test specimen shall be supported on
horizontal parallel rollers having a radius of 10
to 12 mm, spaced at a centre-to-centre distance
of 36 times the nominal thickness of the board.
The test load shall be applied at the mid-point
of the span along a line parallel to the end
supports by means of a bar rounded to a radius
of 10 to 12 mm and carrying a stirrup, from
which a mass shall be suspended so that the total
mass including the bar and the stirrup shall be
1 kg. The position assumed under this initial load
after a period of 30 seconds shall be treated as
the zero condition.
L-l.2 An additional mass of 5 kg shall then be
suspended from the stirrup and the deflection
intermediate period if so desired ) shall ‘be
measured to an accuracy of O-1 mm.
L-l.3 The 5 kg mass shall then be removed after
the lapse of a further period of 24 hours and the
residual deflection, measured from the zero con-
dition defined in L-1.1, shall be determined to
an accuracy of O-1 mm.
L-2 REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS
L-2.1 The deflection after 24 hours under load
and the residual deflection after removal of the-
load shall be reported for each test specimen
together with the mean deflection and the mean
residual deflection.

12
Standard Mark
The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of Indian
Standards Act, 1986 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The Standard Mark on
products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance that they have been
produced to comply with the requirements of that standard under a well defined system of
inspection, testing and quality control which is devised and supervised by BIS and operated
by the producer. Standard marked products are also continuously checked by BIS for con-
formity to that standard as a further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence
for the use of the Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturera or producers may be
obtained from the Bureau of Indian Standards.
 B~+u of Indian Standards

BIS is a statutory institution es,tabl&hed under the Burw of hdhn 2i!hwb& &t, 1986 to promote
harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods
and attending to connected matters in the country.

Copyright

BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any
form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course
of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade
designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director ( Publications ), BIS.

Review of Indian Standards

Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also
reviewed periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates that
no changes are needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for revision.
Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest amendments or
edition by referring to the latest issue of ‘BIS Handbook’ and ‘Standards Monthly Additions’.
Comments on this Indian Standard may be sent to BIS giving the following reference:

Dot No. CED 20 ( 4583 )

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue Text *Affected

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Headquarters:
Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 Telegrams : Manaksanstha
Telephones : 331 01 31, 331 13 75 ( Common to all offices )

Regional Offices I Telephone

Central : Manak Bhavan, 9 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg 331 01 31

NEW DELHI 110002 I 331 13 75
Eastern : l/14 C. I. T. Scheme VII M, V. I. P. Road, Maniktola 37 84 99, 37 85 61
CALCUTTA 700054 I 37 86 26, 37 86 62
Northern t SC0 445-446, Sector 35-C, CHANDIGARH 160036 53 38 43, 53 16 40
1 53 23 84
Southern : C. I. T. Campus, IV Crosr Road, MADRAS 600113 235 02 16, 235 04 42
* I 235 15 19, 235 23 15
Western t Manakalaya, E9 MIDC, Marol, Andheri ( East ) 632 92 95, 632 78 58
BOMBAY 400093 I 632 78 91, 632 78 92

Branches : AHMADABAD. BANGALORE. BHOPAL. BHUBANESHWAR.

COIMBATORE. FARIDABAD. GHAZIABAD. GUWAHATI. HYDERABAD.
c
JAIPUR. KANPUR. LUCKNOW. PATNA. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM.
‘I

Printed at New India ninth Press. Kburla. India

 __ _____-___.,.-- _--7

4 -__--- -. e---

AMENDMENT NO. 3 SEPTEMBER 1997

TO
IS 1659 : 1990 BLOCKBOARDS - SPECIFICATION
(ThirdRevision)

[ Page 2, clause 83.2(a) ] - Substitute ‘200 mm x 100 mm’ for ‘200 mm x

12 mm’.

(CED20)
Repmgnphy BIS, New De&i, India
Unit,
 AMENDMENT NO. 4 APRIL 1999
TO
IS 1659 : 1990 BLOCKBOARDS - SPECIFICATION
( Third Revkim )
[ Page 2, clause 83.2 (d)] - Substitute the following for the existing:
‘Three test specimens each of size having (50 mm + 14 d) length and 75 mm
width in full thickness of board for the test mentioned in 9.2.5, where d is the
nominal thickness in mm. Greater dimension shall be in the direction along the
face grain.’
[ Page 2, clause 82.2 (e) ] - Delete.
[ Page 2, clause 8.2.2 (f) ] - Delete.
(Page 3, clause 9.2.5 ) - Substitute the following for the existing:
‘9.25 MoaWus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity
9.2.5.1 The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity when tested according
to the method given in IS 1734 (Part 11) : 1983 ‘Methods of test for plywood:
Part 11 Determination of static bending strength’, Grade I and Grade II boards
shall give a minimum average value of 50 N/mm* and 40 N/mm* respectively
for modulus of rupture and 5 000 N/mm* and 4 000 N/mm* respectively for
modulus of elasticity.’
(Page 10,Annex J)- Delete.
(Page 11, Amex K) - Delete.
( Page 11, Annex L ) - Delete.

(CED 20)

Reprography
Unit, BIS, New Delhi, India
 AMISNOMI<N’I‘ NO. 5 MAY 2000
‘1’0
IS 1659 : I’)90 I%I>OCKUOARDS - SPECII’ICATION
( ‘J’hirdRevision )
( Second cmwr pure, Forcwurd) - Insert the k‘ollowi~~g aficr third para as a
separate para:

‘A scheme of I;\hclling c\\viro\\t\\c\\t friendly products to be kr\own as EC0 Mark

has Ixccn i\\trodurcd at the i\\st;\r\cc of the Mi\\istry of’ E\\viro\\\\\cnt and Forests
(MEF), Goverunlent ot’ India. The EC0 Mark shall be administered by the
BUWaU Of I\\dii\tl SCllldilKlS (131s) urrdcr the B/S Act, 1W6 as per the Resolution
No. 71 dated 2 I February 1091 and Resolution No. 425 dated 28 October 1992
p\\l\lishcd in the Gazette of IIIC Govcrruuent 01’ India. For a product to bc cligiblc
for EC0 Mark, it sl\all also carry the Standird Mark of the BIS bcsidcs meeting
;\clditior\;\l c\\vin\r\r\\r\\t fric\\dly rrc~i\ircr\\c\\ts. For this purpose, the Sta\\dard
M;\rk of BIS would bc II si\\Elc r\\ark lxing a ror\\bi\\;\tio\\ of the ISI M;\rk a~\d
the Eco logo. Rcquirc\\\c\\ts to Ix satisfied for a product to qualify for tl\c BIS
St;\\\dard Mark Par Eco L‘ric\\dlincss, will bc included in the rclcvant published
Iritlian Sta\\dards ttirough an ;1111r1idii~cn1. Thcsc requirements will be optional;
\\\ai\ufacturing ur\its wiH lx Prce to opt f’or ISI Mark alone also.

‘I‘hc ar\\cr\d\\\c\\t pcrt;\i\\i\\g to EZco criteria is based on the Gazette Notification

No. 170 dated 1X May 1996 Li\r Wood Substitutes as Environment Friendly
Products published in tt\c Gazette of the Govcrenment of India.’

( I’~,qe 1, clurtse 5.1.I ) - Insclrt the rollowing at the end of the clause:

‘For EC0 Mark only spccics of wood from sources other than natural forests
such as wood from r\\l\l\rr, coconut, caahcw, iildustrial arid social li\restry
i\l;\\\t;\ti(>\\s, ctc a\\d shdc trees I’rom tea and col’rcc cstatcs shall be used Ibr the
manufacture ofblockboard.’

( Pclge 1, dnuse 5.1.2 ) - IIISC~I the following at the end or the clause:

‘For EC0 Mark only spccics of wood liom sources other than natural Ibrcsts
such as wood firm rubber, coconut, cashew industrial aud social forestry
-plautatious, rtc and shade trcrs Pnm ten and col’fce cstatcs shall bc used Ihr I$T
vc’nccrs ol’dccorativc type blocklxbards’.

( PCI~ 2, clmrse 6.3.3 )-Substitute ‘IS 1328:1996’fr,r ‘IS 1328:1982’.

1
Amend No. 5 to IS 1659 : 1YYO

[ Pcrgc 3, clarcse 9.2.5.1 ( see also Amendment No. 4 ) ] - Insert the

litllowirtg nrw ch~usc nl‘lcr 9.2.5.1 and rettuntbcr Htc suhscqucnl clasucs:
‘10 OI”I’IONAI, IWQ~JIWEMENTS FOR EC0 MARK
10.1 General Requirements
~10.1.1 The blockboard shall conforttt to the rcquircntcnfs of quality and
pcrfortttancc as spccificd in this standard.
10.1.2 The manufacturer shall produce to BIS environmental consent clearance
front the conccrncd State Pollution Control Board as per the provisions of the
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and
Control of Pohion) Act, 1981, and Water (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 along with the authorization, if required under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, while applying for EC0 Mark appropriate
with enforced rules and regulations of Forest Department.
10.2 Specific Recptirements
-The blockboard shall conTorn to the specific rcquirctttcnts given for EC0 Mark
under tclcvant clauses of the standard.
NOTE -The manufacturer shall provide documentary evidence by way of certificate or
declaration IO Hureau of Indian Standards while applying for EC0 Mark.’

( f’qe 3, rowmbered clause 11.1 ) - lnscrt the following ntatlcr under (hc
clause:
‘c) The criteria for which the blockboard has been labelicd as EC0 Mark.’
( Ptr~:e 3, Annex A ) - Substilutc ‘IS 1328 : 1996 Vcnccrcd dccorativc
plywood - SpccificaGott (rlrird revision)’ for ‘1s 1328 : 1982 Specification for
vc*ttccrcd dcrorativc plywood (second revision)‘.
( Page 3, Annex A ) - Insert the following between ‘1328 : 1982’ and
‘4905 : 1968’:
‘1734 ( Part 11 ) : 1983 Methods of test for plywood : Part 11 Determination af
static bcndittg strcrtgth (second revision)’
( CED 20 )

Reprography Unit, BE, New Delhi, India

2
 AMENDMENT NO. 6 AUGUST 2002

IS 1659:1990 BLOCKB&lDS — SPECIFICATION

( ThirdRevkwn)
[ Page 1, clause 5.1.2 ( see also Amendment No. 5 ) ] — Substitute the
following for the existing:
‘5.1.2 Face Veneers for Decorative Type of Blackboards
The species of timber for the decorative face veneer in decorative type of
blackboard shall be specified by the purchaser while placing the order. The
species of timber commonly used for face veneers of decorative type of
blackboard is given in Annex C for guidance.’
( Page 1, clause 6.1, fastsentence) — Substitute ‘Trimmed and cut ends of
a finished blackboard may be given a protective treatment.’ for ‘Trimmed and
cut ends of a finished blackboard shall be given a protective treatment.’
( Page 2, clause 7.3) — Substitute the following for the existing clause:
‘7.3 Tolerances
The following tolerances on the nominal sizes of finished boards shall be
permissible:

Dimension Tolerance
Langtb *mm
-omm ,.
Width +3 nun
-o mm
.
Tlickrless *5%
Squareness 0.2%
Edge straightness 0.2%

( CED 20 )
Reprography UniL BIS, New Delhi, India