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IS 13745:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for method for determination of formaldehyde content in particle board by extraction method called perforator method. This standard details the 'perforator method' for determining the formaldehyde content in particle boards. The method involves extracting formaldehyde from board samples using boiling toluene, where the formaldehyde is absorbed into water and subsequently quantified through titrimetric analysis.
Method for determination of formaldehyde content in particle board by extraction method called perforator method
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The test result is a key indicator for assessing potential indoor air quality issues from wood-based panels, often required for green building certifications.
! Accurate conditioning of test pieces to a specific moisture content before testing is critical for repeatable results.
! This method measures the total extractable formaldehyde, not the emission rate. Other methods like the gas chamber method (IS 14833) are used for emission testing.
EN ISO 12460-5:2015CEN/ISO (European Committee for Standardization/International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Wood-based panels — Determination of formaldehyde release — Part 5: Extraction method (called the perforator method)
Specifies the same perforator extraction method for determining formaldehyde content in wood-based panels.
EN 120:1993CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
HighWithdrawn
Wood based panels - Determination of formaldehyde content - Extraction method called the perforator method
Direct historical equivalent which IS 13745:1993 was likely based upon, defining the perforator method.
ISO 12460-5:2015ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Wood-based panels — Determination of formaldehyde release — Part 5: Extraction method (called the perforator method)
The identical international version of the current European standard for the perforator method.
BS EN ISO 12460-5:2015BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighCurrent
Wood-based panels. Determination of formaldehyde release - Extraction method (called the perforator method)
The UK's national adoption of the current EN ISO standard for the perforator method.
Key Differences
≠The standard conditioning temperature for test pieces in IS 13745 is 27 ± 2 °C, reflecting a tropical climate, whereas the European standards (EN/ISO) specify 20 ± 2 °C.
≠IS 13745 specifies a total sample mass of 110 ± 5 g (with ~100 g for testing), while the current EN ISO 12460-5 demands higher precision with two sub-samples of exactly (50 ± 0.5) g each.
≠IS 13745 references other Indian Standards (e.g., IS 2386 for moisture content), while the international equivalents reference their own respective EN or ISO standards for ancillary procedures.
≠The tolerance for the extraction duration in IS 13745 is ± 2 minutes (120 ± 2 min), which is slightly looser than the current EN ISO 12460-5 standard's tolerance of ± 1 minute (120 ± 1 min).
Key Similarities
≈The core principle is identical: extracting formaldehyde from test pieces using boiling toluene, absorbing it in water, and quantifying it.
≈The fundamental design and operating principle of the perforator apparatus (flask, perforator tube, cooler) are the same across all standards.
≈All standards specify the use of toluene as the extraction solvent and a total extraction time of 120 minutes.
≈The chemical analysis method is consistent, utilizing iodometric back-titration to determine the amount of formaldehyde captured in the water.
≈The final result is expressed in the same units across all standards: milligrams of formaldehyde per 100 grams of oven-dry board (mg/100g).
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Test Piece Conditioning (Temperature)
27 ± 2 °C
20 ± 2 °C
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Test Piece Conditioning (RH)
65 ± 5 %
65 ± 5 %
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Extraction Solvent
Toluene
Toluene
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Extraction Duration
120 ± 2 minutes
120 ± 1 minute
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Mass of test piece (for extraction)
Approx. 100 g (from a 110±5 g sample)
Two sub-samples of (50 ± 0.5) g each
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Volume of Toluene
1000 ± 1 ml
1000 ml
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Volume of Water in Flask
600 ± 5 ml
600 ± 5 ml
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
Analytical Method
Iodometric Titration
Iodometric Titration
EN ISO 12460-5:2015
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Volume of toluene for extraction1000 ml
Mass of conditioned test piecesApprox. 110 g
Extraction time120 ± 1 min
Concentration of standard iodine solution0.1 N
Concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution0.1 N
Temperature of water in condenser outlet< 30 °C
Key Formulas
H = [(V1 - V2) * N * 15.01] / G — Formaldehyde content (mg/100g), where V1 is titration for blank, V2 for sample, N is normality of thiosulphate, G is mass of dry sample.
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Clause 3 - Principle
Clause 4 - Reagents
Clause 5 - Apparatus
Clause 6 - Sampling and Preparation of Test Pieces
Formaldehyde is extracted from particle board samples using boiling toluene. The extracted formaldehyde is then absorbed into a fixed volume of water within the apparatus and its quantity is determined by chemical titration.
Does this standard specify the acceptable limit for formaldehyde?+
No, this is a testing method. Acceptable limits for formaldehyde content are specified in the relevant product standards, such as IS 3087 for particle boards.
What is the unit of the final result?+
The formaldehyde content is expressed in milligrams per 100 grams (mg/100g) of the oven-dry board.
Who typically performs this test?+
This test is performed by quality control laboratories of particle board manufacturers and independent third-party testing labs.