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IS 1898 : 1990Timber for aircraft construction in converted form (finished form)

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International Comparison — Coming Soon
CurrentSpecializedSpecificationMaterials Science · Timber and Timber Stores
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Link points to Internet Archive / others. Not hosted by InfraLens. Details
OverviewValues3InternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 1898:1990 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for timber for aircraft construction in converted form (finished form). This standard lays down the requirements, grading, and permissible defects for timber in converted (finished) form specifically intended for use in aircraft and glider construction.

Timber for aircraft construction in converted form (finished form)

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Timber and Timber Stores
Type
Specification
International equivalents
Typically used with
IS 287IS 399IS 707IS 1708
Also on InfraLens for IS 1898
3Key values2Tables3FAQs
Practical Notes
! Aircraft timber requires stringent visual and mechanical inspection; prohibited defects like brashness, decay, and large knots must be completely avoided.
! Slope of grain profoundly affects the tensile and bending strength of the timber and must be accurately verified.
! Moisture content should be strictly maintained to ensure dimensional stability and consistent strength properties during flight.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Moisture ContentCl. 5Prohibited DefectsCl. 6Permissible DefectsCl. 8Dimensions and Tolerances
Pulled from IS 1898:1990. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
timberwoodaircraft timberspruce

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
MIL-S-6073AU.S. Department of Defense, USA
HighWithdrawn
Spruce, Aircraft
Specifies requirements for solid Sitka spruce lumber for aircraft structural components.
MIL-P-6070BU.S. Department of Defense, USA
HighWithdrawn
Plywood and Veneer, Aircraft, Flat Panel
Covers requirements for manufacturing and testing of aircraft-grade plywood panels.
D.T.D. 36BBritish Air Ministry, UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for Spruce or Rock Elm
Specifies requirements for high-grade spruce for use in aircraft construction.
BS V.37British Standards Institution (BSI), UK
MediumWithdrawn
Plywood for aircraft
Details requirements for manufacturing and testing of plywood intended for aircraft use.
Key Differences
≠IS 1898 allows for indigenous Indian timber species like Himalayan Spruce (Picea smithiana) and Fir (Abies pindrow), whereas MIL-S-6073 is almost exclusively focused on Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis).
≠The US MIL-SPECS (e.g., MIL-S-6073A) provide a more granular classification of lumber grades based on intended use (e.g., primary structural, secondary), each with different defect allowances. IS 1898 provides a more general, single high-grade specification.
≠IS 1898 specifies a moisture content of 15 ± 2%. MIL-S-6073A typically specifies a range of 12% to 15%, having a lower target and tighter upper tolerance, reflecting different climatic assumptions.
≠While both cover plywood, MIL-P-6070B is a dedicated standard with far more extensive and detailed requirements for veneer grading, adhesives, lay-up combinations, and testing (e.g., cyclic boil tests) than the plywood section within IS 1898.
Key Similarities
≈All standards place extreme importance on a steep slope of grain, universally specifying a maximum slope of 1 in 15 for primary structural members to ensure maximum strength along the length.
≈There is a shared, stringent prohibition or severe limitation on defects such as knots, checks, splits, decay, resin pockets, and compression wood, especially in critical stress areas of a component.
≈All standards specify a minimum density, typically by requiring a minimum number of annual growth rings per unit of length (e.g., rings per cm/inch), to ensure the use of strong, slow-grown wood.
≈For critical structural parts, all standards favor or mandate the use of quarter-sawn (vertical grain) timber to maximize dimensional stability and strength properties.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Moisture Content (at inspection)15 ± 2% (13% to 17%)12% to 15%MIL-S-6073A
Slope of Grain (primary structure)Not steeper than 1 in 15Not steeper than 1 in 15MIL-S-6073A
Growth Rings (Spruce)Minimum 3 per cmMinimum 6 per inch (approx. 2.4 per cm)MIL-S-6073A
Permissible Solid KnotsUp to 6 mm diameter, under specific conditionsUp to 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) diameter, highly restricted by locationMIL-S-6073A
Plywood Adhesive (Waterproof)Phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin (Type I)Phenolic or resorcinol resin meeting specific military specsMIL-P-6070B
Primary Solid Timber SpeciesHimalayan Spruce, Fir, Sitka SpruceSitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis)MIL-S-6073A
Plywood Shear Strength TestSpecifies dry and wet (72-hour cold soak) shear strength values.Specifies dry, wet (48-hour cold soak), and post-boil (3-hour boil) shear strength values.MIL-P-6070B
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values3

Quick Reference Values
Moisture Content10% to 15% (typically standardized at 12%)
Maximum Permissible Slope of Grain1 in 15
Standard Test Temperature27 ± 2 °C

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Recommended Species of Timber
Table 2 - Tolerances on Dimensions
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Moisture Content
Clause 5 - Prohibited Defects
Clause 6 - Permissible Defects
Clause 8 - Dimensions and Tolerances

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 287:2022Code of Practice for Design of Timber Structu...
→
IS 399:1966Classification of Commercial Timbers and Thei...
→
IS 707:2011Timber Technology And Utilization of Wood, Ba...
→
IS 1708:2014Methods of Testing Small Clear Specimens of T...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

What is the acceptable moisture content for aircraft timber?+
It must generally be maintained between 10% and 15%.
Are any defects permitted in aircraft grade timber?+
Only minor defects like small pin knots and slight surface checks may be permitted under strict tolerances, whereas decay, brashness, and severe cross-grain are strictly prohibited.
Which IS code details the testing methods for this timber?+
IS 1708 covers the methods of testing small clear specimens of timber.

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