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IS 11707 : 1986Glossary of terms relating to asbestos

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ISO 10312
CurrentSpecializedTerminologyMaterials Science · Cement Matrix Products
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OverviewInternationalTablesFAQ4Related

IS 11707:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for glossary of terms relating to asbestos. This standard provides a glossary of terms used in the Indian asbestos and asbestos-cement industry. It compiles and standardizes definitions from various other Indian Standards related to asbestos products to ensure uniform terminology and understanding.

Glossary of terms relating to asbestos

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Cement Matrix Products
Type
Terminology
International equivalents
ISO 10312:2019 · International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
Typically used with
IS 1537IS 1538IS 2096IS 2098
Practical Notes
! This standard is for terminological reference and historical context only. The use of asbestos in new products is largely banned in India due to severe health risks like asbestosis and cancer. Always consult current environmental and health & safety regulations when identifying, handling, or disposing of existing asbestos-containing materials.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 2.1Terms Relating to Asbestos FibresCl. 2.2Terms Relating to Asbestos Cement ProductsCl. 2.3Terms Relating to Properties and TestsCl. 2.4Terms Relating to Defects
Pulled from IS 11707:1986. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
asbestoscementasbestos cement products

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ISO 7337:1984International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
HighWithdrawn
Asbestos — Definitions and terminology
Directly equivalent in scope, providing definitions and terminology for asbestos types and related concepts.
ASTM D2946-01ASTM International, USA
HighWithdrawn
Standard Terminology for Asbestos and Asbestos-Cement Products
Covered terminology for asbestos minerals and commercial asbestos-cement products, similar to the Indian standard.
ISO 10312:2019International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
LowCurrent
Ambient air — Determination of asbestos fibres — Direct-transfer transmission electron microscopy method
Not a glossary, but its 'Terms and Definitions' section covers key terms like fibre and bundle from a modern analytical perspective.
Key Differences
≠IS 11707:1986 was created when asbestos was a primary industrial material, so it includes terms for commercial products (e.g., 'asbestos millboard'). Modern international standards focus on asbestos as a health hazard and define terms relevant to exposure assessment and abatement, omitting commercial product terminology.
≠International standards for air analysis (e.g., ISO 10312) provide highly specific, dimensional definitions for a 'fibre' (e.g., length > 5 µm, width < 3 µm, aspect ratio > 3:1) for regulatory counting purposes. IS 11707 provides a more general, mineralogical definition without these strict dimensional criteria for counting.
≠The Indian standard is a standalone glossary. In modern international practice, terminology is often integrated directly into specific standards for testing (like ISO 10312) or codes of practice for management and removal, rather than being published as a separate dedicated glossary.
≠IS 11707 reflects the knowledge and regulatory context of the mid-1980s. It lacks modern concepts found in current international documents, such as distinctions between 'friable' and 'non-friable' asbestos-containing materials (ACM) or detailed classifications of 'asbestos structures' (e.g., clusters, matrices) used in modern electron microscopy.
Key Similarities
≈All standards, including IS 11707 and the historical ISO 7337, provide fundamental mineralogical definitions for the six regulated types of asbestos: Chrysotile, Crocidolite, Amosite, Anthophyllite, Tremolite, and Actinolite.
≈The primary purpose of IS 11707 and its international counterparts is to establish a common, unambiguous vocabulary to be used in science, industry, and regulation concerning asbestos.
≈Basic physical terms like 'fibre', 'fibril', and 'bundle' are defined in both the Indian standard and international equivalents to describe the unique morphology of asbestos minerals.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Definition of 'Asbestos'A term for a group of naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals, separable into fibres.A term applied to a group of silicate minerals... that readily separate into thin, strong fibres that are flexible, heat resistant, and chemically inert.ASTM D2946-01
Definition of 'Chrysotile'A fibrous form of the mineral serpentine (hydrated magnesium silicate). Also known as 'white asbestos'.The fibrous form of the mineral serpentine, which is a hydrous magnesium silicate. Chemical formula is Mg3Si2O5(OH)4.ISO 7337:1984
Definition of 'Crocidolite'The fibrous form of the mineral riebeckite (amphibole group). Also known as 'blue asbestos'.The fibrous form of the amphibole mineral riebeckite. Also known as 'blue asbestos'.ISO 7337:1984
Definition of 'Asbestos Fibre' (for counting)A fibre of asbestos mineral. The standard does not specify dimensional criteria for counting.A particle with a length > 5 µm, a width < 3 µm, and a length-to-width ratio (aspect ratio) of ≥ 3:1.ISO 10312:2019
Definition of 'Aspect Ratio'The ratio of the length of a particle to its breadth.Ratio of the length of a particle to its width.ISO 10312:2019
Term for 'Asbestos Cement'Defines 'Asbestos Cement Products' as products consisting of a mixture of asbestos fibre, ordinary Portland cement or high alumina cement, and water.Term not defined, as the standard's scope is air analysis methodology, not commercial building products.ISO 10312:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values0

No quick reference values available for this code yet.

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 2.1 - Terms Relating to Asbestos Fibres
Clause 2.2 - Terms Relating to Asbestos Cement Products
Clause 2.3 - Terms Relating to Properties and Tests
Clause 2.4 - Terms Relating to Defects

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 1537:1976Centrifugally Cast (Spun) Iron Pressure Pipes...
→
IS 1538:2018Hardened and Tempered Carbon Steel Wire for S...
→
IS 2096:1992Asbestos cement flat sheets
→
IS 2098:1997Asbestos cement building boards
→

Frequently Asked Questions4

What is the difference between 'chrysotile' and 'crocidolite' asbestos?+
Chrysotile (white asbestos) belongs to the serpentine group of minerals, whereas Crocidolite (blue asbestos) belongs to the amphibole group (Clause 2.1).
What does 'AC' stand for in product names like 'AC Sheets'?+
AC stands for Asbestos Cement, a material made from a mixture of asbestos fibre, Portland cement, and water (Clause 2.2).
What is 'blooming' on an asbestos cement product?+
Blooming is a white deposit of calcium carbonate on the surface, formed by the reaction of free lime in the cement with atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is considered a defect (Clause 2.4).
What is meant by 'maturing' of asbestos cement products?+
Maturing is the process of storing freshly made asbestos cement products under conditions that allow the cement to hydrate and harden (Clause 2.3).

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