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IS 1707:1979 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for wood wool for general packaging purposes. This standard prescribes the requirements and methods of test for wood wool intended for general packaging purposes. It specifies acceptable limits for dimensions, moisture content, dust percentage, and pH value to ensure the material provides adequate cushioning without promoting corrosion or fungal growth.
! Strictly monitor the pH value of wood wool if it is being used to pack bare metallic items, as acidic wood wool can accelerate corrosion.
! Ensure moisture content is well within the 15% limit before packing; otherwise, fungal growth and rotting can compromise both the packaging and the contents.
! Wood wool should be tightly baled for transport, but excessive crushing that leads to dust generation exceeding 1% should be avoided.
Specifies technical requirements for packaging-grade wood wool, including grading by strand size.
PPP-E-911EGeneral Services Administration (GSA), USA
HighWithdrawn
Federal Specification: Excelsior, Wood, Fabricated Pads and Bulk Form
Covered requirements for bulk wood wool (excelsior) and pads for government packaging use.
BS 1133-10:1966British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Packaging Code - Section 10: Cushioning materials (other than cellulose wadding, felt and corrugated board)
Broader standard covering various cushioning materials, with wood wool being one of the key types.
Key Differences
≠IS 1707 provides a single set of dimensional requirements, whereas some international standards like DIN 4077-1 specified different grades (e.g., fine, medium, coarse) based on strand width and thickness.
≠The maximum permissible moisture content in IS 1707 is 15%, which can be different from international versions. For example, the withdrawn DIN 4077-1 allowed for up to 18% moisture content.
≠Historical US military and federal specifications (e.g., PPP-E-911E) often included requirements for special treatments like fire-retardancy or fungicidal properties, which are not mentioned in the general-purpose IS 1707.
≠International standards are largely withdrawn as the packaging industry has shifted towards performance-based standards (e.g., ASTM D4169) and alternative materials like expanded polystyrene or paper-based cushioning, whereas the Indian standard remains active.
Key Similarities
≈All standards define the fundamental material as long, curled, kiln-dried wood shavings or threads intended for use as a protective packaging material.
≈There is a common requirement across all standards for the wood wool to be clean and free from harmful contaminants such as bark, splinters, excessive dust, dirt, and foreign matter.
≈The standards universally specify that the source timber should be non-resinous and non-odorous to prevent chemical reactions, staining, or imparting odors to the packaged goods.
≈The typical form of supply mentioned or implied in the standards is compressed bales to ensure economical transportation and storage.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Moisture Content (max)
15%
18%
DIN 4077-1:1982-10
Strand Thickness
0.15 mm to 0.40 mm
≤ 0.20 mm (Fine Grade 1); ≤ 0.30 mm (Medium Grade 2)
DIN 4077-1:1982-10
Strand Width
2.0 mm to 5.0 mm
≤ 2.0 mm (Fine Grade 1); ≤ 4.0 mm (Medium Grade 2)