Is this standard still valid?

No, IS 5539:1969 has been withdrawn and superseded by IS 1734:1983. It is for reference purposes only.

What is the required preservative retention for marine-grade treated plywood?

The standard specified a minimum net dry salt retention of 16.0 kg/m³ for marine use (Table 1).

What types of preservatives does this standard cover?

It covers water-soluble, fixed-type wood preservatives, specifically Copper-Chrome-Arsenic (CCA) and Acid-Cupric-Chromate (ACC) compositions.

What base plywood standard should be used with this specification?

The plywood to be treated should conform to relevant Indian Standards, such as IS 303 for general purpose plywood.

IS 5539

: 1969

Specification for preservative-treated plywood

CurrentSpecializedSpecificationBIMMaterials Science · Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products

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This specification covers the requirements for preservative treatment of plywood using fixed-type, water-soluble preservatives like Copper-Chrome-Arsenic (CCA) and Acid-Cupric-Chromate (ACC). It details the treatment process, required chemical retention levels for different end-uses (general, marine, cooling towers), and testing methods to ensure protection against fungi, termites, and borers.

Specification for preservative-treated plywood

Quick Reference Values

Min preservative retention for general purposes5.6 kg/m³

Min preservative retention for cooling towers12.0 kg/m³

Min preservative retention for marine use16.0 kg/m³

Min concentration of CCA preservative solution4 percent

Min concentration of ACC preservative solution6 percent

Plywood moisture content before treatment< 20 percent

Practical Notes

This standard has been officially WITHDRAWN by BIS. It is superseded by various parts of IS 1734:1983. It should only be used for reference on older projects.

When specifying treated plywood today, refer to IS 303 for the base plywood grade and specify the preservative treatment requirements (chemical type and retention level) based on the intended exposure conditions.

The 'retention' value (in kg/m³) is the most critical parameter determining the level of protection and durability of the treated plywood.