IS 9901:2006 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for rubber lining of steel tanks, vessels and equipment. IS 9901 covers rubber lining of steel equipment for chemical corrosion protection. Different rubber types resist different chemicals: natural rubber for dilute acids, neoprene for oils, butyl rubber for concentrated acids. Used extensively in chemical, pharmaceutical, and fertilizer industries.
Code of practice for natural and synthetic rubber lining of steel tanks, vessels, and equipment for corrosion protection in chemical industries.
Overview
Status Current
Usage level Specialized
Domain MEP — Waterproofing and Damp-Proofing
Type Code of Practice International equivalents
Also on InfraLens for IS 9901
Practical Notes
! Steel surface must be blasted to Sa 2.5 (near-white) before rubber application — adhesion depends entirely on surface prep.
! Spark testing at 5-10 kV must be done over entire lined surface to detect pinholes.
! Natural rubber resists most dilute acids and alkalis but NOT concentrated sulfuric acid or oils.
! Butyl rubber is the best general-purpose chemical-resistant lining material.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4 — Rubber types by chemical resistance
Cl. 5 — Surface preparation of steel
Cl. 6 — Application procedure (bonding, curing)
Cl. 7 — Inspection and testing (spark test, adhesion)
rubber lining tank lining chemical resistance corrosion protection acid resistance
International Equivalents Similar International Standards
ASTM D4060 ASTM International (US)
High Current
Standard Practice for Application of Rubber Linings
Both cover rubber lining application for chemical corrosion protection.
Key Differences
≠ IS 9901 is a comprehensive code covering material selection, application, AND testing. ASTM D4060 focuses on application practice.
Key Similarities
≈ Both require Sa 2.5 (near-white) blast cleaning and emphasize surface preparation as critical to lining success.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter IS Value International Source
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use Report Error
Key Values5 Quick Reference Values
Natural rubber operating temp Max 80°C
Neoprene operating temp Max 90°C
Butyl rubber operating temp Max 120°C
Lining thickness 3-6mm typical
Spark test voltage 5-10 kV
Tables & Referenced Sections Key Tables
Table 1 — Rubber types vs chemical resistance chart
Frequently Asked Questions1 Which rubber for acid tanks? + Dilute acids (HCl, H2SO4 <70%): natural rubber or EPDM. Concentrated H2SO4: butyl rubber. HNO3 (nitric acid): NONE — use epoxy or glass lining instead.
QA/QC Inspection Templates 📋
QA/QC templates coming soon for this code.