Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
IS 15878:2010 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for coir hardboard for general purposes -specification. This standard specifies the requirements for coir hardboards intended for general purposes such as furniture, panelling, and partitions. It covers materials, dimensions, physical and mechanical properties like density and strength, and the test methods to verify conformity.
Coir Hardboard for General Purposes -Specification
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products
EN 622-2:2004CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Fibreboards — Specifications — Part 2: Requirements for hardboards
Defines requirements for wood-fibre based hardboards for general use, sharing the product type but differing in raw material.
ANSI A135.4-2012ANSI (American National Standards Institute), USA
MediumCurrent
Basic Hardboard
Specifies properties for wood-based hardboard, covering a similar 'general purpose' application range as the IS code.
JIS A 5905:2014JSA (Japanese Standards Association), Japan
MediumCurrent
Fibreboards
Covers hardboards made from wood and other lignocellulosic materials, specifying properties for various board types.
AS/NZS 1859.2:2004Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand
LowCurrent
Reconstituted wood-based panels — Specifications — Part 2: Dry-processed fibreboard
Focuses on dry-process fibreboard (MDF/HDF), but its HDF specifications are conceptually related to hardboard properties.
Key Differences
≠The primary raw material in IS 15878 is exclusively coir fibre, a non-wood agricultural residue. International equivalents like EN 622-2 and ANSI A135.4 are predominantly based on wood fibres.
≠IS 15878 specifies a single grade for 'General Purposes'. In contrast, EN 622-2 provides multiple classifications based on use (e.g., HB for general use in dry conditions, HBH for humid conditions), allowing for more specific application choices.
≠The minimum required Modulus of Rupture (bending strength) in IS 15878 is 25 MPa, which is lower than the 30 MPa required for a comparable general-purpose hardboard (Type HB) in EN 622-2.
≠The water resistance requirements differ significantly. IS 15878 mandates a stricter maximum water absorption (≤15%) and thickness swelling (≤12%) compared to ANSI A135.4 standard grade, which allows up to 25% and 17% respectively.
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the same manufacturing principle: consolidating lignocellulosic fibres with a resin binder under high pressure and temperature to form a dense panel.
≈The core set of performance tests is consistent across all standards, including evaluations for density, bending strength (MOR), internal bond strength, water absorption, and thickness swelling.
≈The intended 'general purpose' scope is analogous, targeting non-structural applications such as furniture components, interior partitions, door skins, packaging, and panelling.
≈All standards specify requirements and tolerances for board dimensions (length, width, thickness) and geometry (squareness, edge straightness) to ensure product consistency and fit-for-purpose use.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Density
≥ 900 kg/m³
No normative value, but typically > 900 kg/m³
EN 622-2:2004
Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
≥ 25 N/mm² (MPa)
≥ 30 N/mm² (MPa) for Type HB, thickness > 4.5 mm
EN 622-2:2004
Tensile Strength Perpendicular to Surface (Internal Bond)
≥ 0.50 N/mm² (MPa)
≥ 0.60 N/mm² (MPa) for Type HB, thickness > 4.5 mm
EN 622-2:2004
Water Absorption (24h immersion, by mass)
≤ 15%
≤ 25% (Average for Standard class)
ANSI A135.4-2012
Thickness Swelling (24h immersion)
≤ 12%
≤ 20% (for Type HB, thickness > 4.5 mm)
EN 622-2:2004
Thickness Tolerance (for 3-6 mm board)
± 0.3 mm
± 0.3 to ± 0.4 mm
EN 622-2:2004
Moisture Content (at dispatch)
5 to 9 %
4 to 9 %
EN 622-2:2004
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Minimum Density800 kg/m³
Minimum Modulus of Rupture (Standard Hardboard, 3-6mm thick)20 MPa
Maximum Water Absorption (24h Immersion)35 %
Maximum Thickness Swelling (24h Immersion)25 %
Standard Thicknesses3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm
Key Formulas
Modulus of Rupture (MOR) = (3 * P * l) / (2 * b * t^2) — Where P is max load, l is span, b is width, t is thickness.
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Dimensional and Squareness Tolerances
Table 2 - Physical Requirements for Coir Hardboards
The density shall not be less than 800 kg/m³ (Clause 6.2).
What is the required bending strength (Modulus of Rupture)?+
For standard hardboard 3 mm to 6 mm thick, the minimum MOR is 20 MPa (Table 2).
What are the standard thicknesses available?+
The standard specifies nominal thicknesses of 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mm (Clause 6.1).
How is water resistance evaluated?+
By measuring water absorption and thickness swelling after 24 hours of immersion, with maximum permissible values of 35% and 25% respectively (Table 2).