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IS 15877:2010 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for coir faced block boards -specification. This standard specifies the requirements for coir-faced blockboards, which are composite panels with a central core of wood strips, faced with coir mat and wood veneers. It covers materials, manufacturing, dimensions, physical and mechanical properties for both Boiling Water Resistant (BWR) and Interior grades, intended for use in furniture, partitions, and paneling.
Coir Faced Block Boards -Specification
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products
BS EN 636:2012+A1:2015BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom)
MediumCurrent
Plywood - Specifications
Specifies performance requirements for wood-based panels (plywood) in similar applications, but does not cover coir facing.
BS EN 12775:2001BSI - British Standards Institution (United Kingdom)
LowCurrent
Solid wood panels - Classification and terminology
Provides terminology and classification for solid wood panels, including the core construction of blockboard, but not the final product specification.
ISO 12466-2:2018ISO - International Organization for Standardization
MediumCurrent
Plywood — Bonding quality — Part 2: Requirements
Defines requirements for bond quality based on test methods similar to those used for IS 15877's BWR/WWR grades.
Key Differences
≠The primary facing material in IS 15877 is specified as coir composite material, whereas international standards for blockboards or similar panels (e.g., BS EN 636) typically specify wood veneers.
≠IS 15877 classifies boards based on adhesive type as BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) and WWR (Warm Water Resistant), while the European framework (EN 636) classifies panels by end-use environment: dry (Class 1), humid (Class 2), and exterior (Class 3).
≠The specified minimum mechanical properties, such as Modulus of Rupture, in IS 15877 for BWR grade are often higher than for general-purpose European blockboards, reflecting a focus on high-performance applications.
≠Indian standards often prescribe a set of standard nominal dimensions (length x width) common in the Indian market, which may differ from the typical panel sizes specified or common in European or North American markets.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental construction of the core is identical: both IS 15877 and international definitions (e.g., EN 313-2) describe blockboard as having a core of solid wood strips glued together.
≈Both the Indian standard and international counterparts use performance-based testing, evaluating key mechanical properties like Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) to ensure structural integrity.
≈Both systems classify boards based on their resistance to moisture, enabling selection for different service environments (e.g., IS BWR grade vs. EN 636 Class 3 for exterior use).
≈All related standards specify strict dimensional tolerances for thickness, length, width, squareness, and edge straightness to ensure product quality and interchangeability.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Core Strip Width
Shall not exceed 30 mm
Typically up to 30 mm wide
EN 313-2:2000
Bonding Quality (Exterior/BWR Grade)
Must pass 72-hour boiling water test (per IS 1328)
Must meet requirements for Bond Class 3 (boil test) per EN 314-2
BS EN 636 (for Use Class 3)
Modulus of Rupture (MOR) - Along Grain
35 N/mm² minimum (for BWR Grade)
20-25 N/mm² (Representative value for general purpose blockboard)
EN 13986
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) - Along Grain
4000 N/mm² minimum (for BWR Grade)
3500-4500 N/mm² (Representative value for general purpose blockboard)
EN 13986
Moisture Resistance Test Metric
Water Absorption (%) after 24h immersion
Thickness Swelling (%) after 24h immersion
EN 317
Adhesive Type Classification
BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) / WWR (Warm Water Resistant)
Class 1 (Dry), Class 2 (Humid), Class 3 (Exterior) per EN 314-2
BS EN 636
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Moisture Content5 to 15 %
Adhesion of Plies (BWR Grade)Excellent
Modulus of Rupture (BWR, along grain, min)30 N/mm²
Modulus of Elasticity (BWR, along grain, min)3000 N/mm²
Screw Withdrawal Strength (Face, min)1150 N
Standard Thickness Range12 mm to 50 mm
Thickness Tolerance± 5 %
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1: Tolerances on Squareness and Edge Straightness
Table 2: Physical and Mechanical Properties for Coir Faced Blockboards
What is the difference between BWR and Interior grade coir blockboards?+
BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) grade uses a phenolic synthetic resin adhesive, making it suitable for high humidity areas. Interior grade uses a urea formaldehyde resin and is meant for dry indoor applications only (Clause 4.4).
What are the standard available thicknesses for this board?+
Standard thicknesses are 12, 15, 19, 22, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 mm (Clause 6.1).
What is the minimum required screw holding strength?+
The minimum average screw withdrawal strength is 1150 N on the face and 600 N on the edge (Table 2).
What are the dimensional tolerances for a standard board?+
The tolerance on thickness is ±5%, and on length and width it is ±2.0 mm (Clause 6.2).