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IS 13958:1994 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for bamboo mat board for general purposes -specification. This standard specifies the requirements for bamboo mat board, a panel product made by hot-pressing resin-coated woven bamboo mats. It covers materials, manufacturing, dimensions, physical and mechanical properties, and testing methods for boards intended for general purposes like furniture, panelling, and partitions.
Bamboo mat board for general purposes -Specification
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products
! The properties of the board are anisotropic; strength is significantly higher parallel to the grain of the outer mats compared to perpendicular.
! Specify phenolic resin (BWR/BWP type) for applications requiring resistance to moisture or exterior use. Urea-formaldehyde (MR type) is suitable for dry interior use only.
! Proper on-site storage is crucial; stack flat on a level surface with bearers and protect from direct rain and sun to prevent warping and moisture damage.
Consolidated list per BIS. For the text of each amendment, refer to the BIS portal link above.
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International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
LY/T 1575-2013State Forestry Administration, China
HighCurrent
Bamboo Plywood
Specifies requirements for plywood made from bamboo curtains or mats, closely matching the BMB concept.
ISO 21625-1:2019International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International
MediumCurrent
Laminated products from bamboo for indoor use — Part 1: General requirements
Covers bamboo panels for similar indoor uses, but primarily made from laminated strips, not woven mats.
GB/T 26899-2011Standardization Administration of China (SAC), China
MediumCurrent
Structural glued laminated bamboo
Focuses on structural bamboo panels, which is a higher performance category than 'general purpose'.
Key Differences
≠IS 13958 is prescriptive about adhesive types, specifying Urea Formaldehyde (UF) for Moisture Resistant (MR) grade and Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) for Boiling Water Proof (BWP) grade. In contrast, modern standards like ISO 21625-1 are performance-based, focusing on formaldehyde emission classes (e.g., E1, E0) regardless of the resin type.
≠The fundamental raw material in IS 13958 is specifically 'woven bamboo mats', whereas ISO 21625-1 is based on laminating bamboo strips or strands, and LY/T 1575 allows for both mats and bamboo 'curtains' (strips joined by thread).
≠IS 13958 specifies minimum absolute values for mechanical properties like Modulus of Rupture. ISO 21625-1 uses a classification system where manufacturers declare the properties, and the product must meet the declared class, offering more flexibility.
Key Similarities
≈All standards cover engineered panel products made by bonding layers of bamboo material under heat and pressure, targeting applications like furniture, paneling, and interior fittings.
≈Core physical and mechanical properties such as density, moisture content, bending strength (Modulus of Rupture), and stiffness (Modulus of Elasticity) are specified and tested in all related standards.
≈Both IS 13958 and its international counterparts define different grades or types based on moisture or water resistance, enabling selection for either dry interior conditions or more demanding applications.
≈All standards include dimensional tolerances for length, width, thickness, and squareness to ensure consistency and interchangeability of the final panel product.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Minimum Density
≥ 600 kg/m³
≥ 640 kg/m³ (typical for Type I)
LY/T 1575-2013
Moisture Content
5% to 15%
6% to 10% (at equilibrium)
ISO 21625-1:2019
Modulus of Rupture (MOR), Parallel to face grain (Interior Grade)
≥ 50 N/mm² (MR Grade)
≥ 70 N/mm²
LY/T 1575-2013
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Parallel to face grain (Interior Grade)
≥ 5000 N/mm² (MR Grade)
≥ 7500 N/mm²
LY/T 1575-2013
Adhesive Requirement (Interior Grade)
Prescribed as Urea Formaldehyde (UF) resin
Performance-based, defined by formaldehyde emission class (e.g., E1, E2)
ISO 21625-1:2019
Water Resistance Test Metric (Interior)
Water Absorption (24h immersion): ≤ 15%
Thickness Swelling (24h immersion): ≤ 8% (example value for a given class)
ISO 21625-1:2019
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Minimum Density600 kg/m³
Moisture Content Range5 to 15 %
Maximum Water Absorption (24h immersion)20 % by mass
Minimum Modulus of Rupture (Parallel to face mat)40 N/mm²
Minimum Modulus of Elasticity (Parallel to face mat)4000 N/mm²
Minimum Screw Withdrawal Strength (Face)1000 N
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Physical and Mechanical Requirements for Bamboo Mat Board
Table 2 - Dimensional Tolerances for Bamboo Mat Board