IS 4443:1980 provides a comprehensive code of practice for the use of resin-type chemical-resistant mortars, detailing their selection, storage, mixing, application, curing, and safety precautions. It is specifically designed for engineers and construction professionals working with chemically resistant flooring and wall finishes in industrial and chemical environments where exposure to acids, alkalis, and solvents occurs. The standard emphasizes proper handling, chemical resistance characteristics, and application techniques to ensure durability and safety.
Overview
IS 4443:1980 provides a comprehensive code of practice for the use of resin-type chemical-resistant mortars, detailing their selection, storage, mixing, application, curing, and safety precautions. It is specifically designed for engineers and construction professionals working with chemically resistant flooring and wall finishes in industrial and chemical environments where exposure to acids, alkalis, and solvents occurs. The standard emphasizes proper handling, chemical resistance characteristics, and application techniques to ensure durability and safety.
Audience
Contents
Structure
Scope:
IS 4443 covers the use and properties of resin type chemical resistant mortars, focusing on their chemical resistance, dry heat limits, storage, and safety.
| Substance Type | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashewnut Shell Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids (e.g., Acetic acid 10%) | R (Recommended) | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc.) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid (conc.) | N (Not recommended) | N | N | N | N |
| Alkalis (e.g., Sodium hydroxide 40%) | R | N | L (Limited) | R | L |
| Solvents (e.g., Alcohols) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Wet Gases (oxidizing) | N | N | N | N | N |
Note:
| Resin Type | Max Dry Heat (ºC) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy | a) Ambient system: 90 |
| b) Heat-cured system: 200 | |
| Polyester | 110-120 |
| Cashewnut Shell Liquid | 170-180 |
| Resin Type | Storage Period (Months) |
|---|---|
| Cashewnut Shell Liquid | 9 |
| Epoxy | 12 |
| Furane | 12 |
| Phenolic | 3 |
| Polyester | 3 |
graph TD
A[Resin Type Mort
IS 4443: Definitions and Key Tables Summary
| Type of Resin | Storage Period (Months) |
|---|---|
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 9 |
| Epoxy | 12 |
| Furane | 12 |
| Phenolic | 3 |
| Polyester | 3 |
Note: Storage periods may vary with manufacturer consultation.
| Substance | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashew-nut shell liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid (conc) | N | N | N | N | N |
| Sulphuric acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Sodium hydroxide 40% | R | N | L | R | L |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | L | N | R | R | N |
Legend:
| Type of Resin | Max Dry Heat (ºC) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy (ambient system) | 90 |
| Epoxy (heat-cured) | 200 |
| Polyester | 110-120 |
| Cashewnut shell liquid | 170-180 |
| Quantity | Unit | Symbol | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
IS 4443: Storage of Resin Type Mortars
| Type of Resin | Storage Period (Months) |
|---|---|
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 9 |
| Epoxy | 12 |
| Furane | 12 |
| Phenolic | 3 |
| Polyester | 3 |
Note: Storage periods can be adjusted with manufacturer consultation.
Example for acids:
| Substance | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashew-nut shell liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid (conc) | N | N | N | N | N |
| Type of Resin | Max Dry Heat in Air (°C) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy (ambient system) | 90 |
| Epoxy (heat-cured) | 200 |
| Polyester | 110 - 120 |
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 170 - 180 |
flowchart LR
A[Storage Period] --> B{Type of Resin}
B -->|Cashew-nut shell liquid| C[9 months]
B -->|Epoxy| D[12 months]
B -->|Furane| E[12 months]
B -->|Phenolic| F[3 months]
B -->|Poly
IS 4443: Safety Precautions for Resin Mortars
| Resin Type | Storage Period (Months) |
|---|---|
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 9 |
| Epoxy | 12 |
| Furane | 12 |
| Phenolic | 3 |
| Polyester | 3 |
| Resin Type | Max Dry Heat (ºC) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy (ambient cure) | 90 |
| Epoxy (heat-cured) | 200 |
| Polyester | 110-120 |
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 170-180 |
flowchart TD
A[Resin Mortar Use] --> B{Is Resin Inflammable?}
B -- Yes --> C[Implement Fire Safety Precautions]
B -- No --> D[Standard Handling]
A --> E{Storage Period?}
E -->|Cashew-nut shell liquid| F[9 months]
E -->|Epoxy/Furane| G[12 months]
E -->|Phenolic/Polyester| H[3 months]
A --> I{Chemical Exposure}
I --> J[Check Chemical Resistance Table]
A -->
1. Mixing Procedure (Clause 6.1):
2. Chemical Resistance (Clause 11.1 & Table 1):
| Chemical Example | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashewnut Shell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrofluoric acid 40% | N | N | R | R | R |
3. Curing Time & Heat Treatment (Clause 10.1):
flowchart TD
A[Start: Resin & Powder] --> B[Pour Liquid Resin in Basin]
B --> C[Gradually Add Powder]
C --> D[Mix Thoroughly - Remove Lumps & Air]
D --> E[Apply as per Manufacturer's Proportion]
E --> F{Curing Type?}
F -->|Epoxy/Furane/Polyester| G[48 Hours @ ≥20°C]
F -->|Phenolic/Cashew Nut| H[
IS 4443: Application Procedures for Resin Type Mortars
Surface Preparation (Clause 8.1.1):
Tile/Brick Laying on Floors (Clause 8.2.1):
| Resin Type | Max Dry Heat (°C) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy (Ambient system) | 90 |
| Epoxy (Heat-cured system) | 200 |
| Polyester | 110 - 120 |
| Cashewnut Shell Liquid | 170 - 180 |
flowchart TD
A[Surface Preparation] --> B{Resin Type?}
B -->|Epoxy/Polyester| C[Lay tiles/bricks directly]
B -->|Furane/Phenolic/Cashew
| Substance Type | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashewnut Shell Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids (10% except noted) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Concentrated Nitric Acid | N | N | N | N | N |
| Hydrofluoric Acid 40% | N | N | R | R | R |
| Alkalis (e.g., NaOH 40%) | R | N | L | R | L |
| Solvents (Ketones, Aromatics) | L/N | N | L/R | R | N |
| Wet Oxidizing Gases | N | N | N | N | N |
| Wet Reducing Gases | R | R | R | R | R |
Legend:
flowchart TD
A[Start: Resin Mortar Application] --> B{Type of Resin?}
B -->|Furane/Epoxy/Polyester| C[Wait 48 hrs
IS 4443 - Surface Preparation & Mortar Application Key Points
| Mortar Type | Application Thickness (mm) | Joint Thickness (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resin type mortar | 6 to 8 (back of tile/brick) | 2 to 3 | Smear 2 adjacent sides 4-6 mm |
| Silicate type mortar | 6 to 8 (back & 2 sides) | 3 to 6 | Use spacers; jointing material removed to 20 mm depth before full set |
flowchart TD
A[Surface Preparation] --> B[Apply Mortar on Back & Sides]
B --> C{Mortar Type?}
C -->|Resin| D[6-8 mm back, 4-6 mm sides]
C -->|Silicate| E[6-8 mm back & sides]
D --> F[Press tile, maintain 2-3 mm joint]
E --> G[Press tile, maintain 3-6 mm joint with spacers]
G --> H[Remove jointing material to 20 mm depth]
H --> I[Cure joints]
I --> J[Fill joints with resin mortar]
F --> K[Cure joints]
K & J --> L[Trim excess mortar for smooth finish]
References:
IS 4443: Cleaning of Mortar and Equipment
Cleaning Equipment (Clause 9.2):
Cleaning Hands (Clause 9.3):
Cleaning Mortar from Masonry (Clause 9.1 & 9.1.1):
| Cleaning Aspect | Method/Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Ketone solvents (acetone) | Frequent cleaning recommended |
| Hardened Mortar on Tools | Burning | For metal equipment |
| Hands | Cotton waste + soap/warm water | Avoid solvents used on equipment |
| Mortar on Masonry | Manufacturer guidance + masking | Use steam/water after hardening |
This ensures proper maintenance and safety during mortar application and cleaning.
IS 4443 - Chemical Resistance of Resin Type Mortars (Clause 11.1)
| Substance Type | Example | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashew Nut Shell Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids | Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Chromic acid 10% | N | R | L | N | L | |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc) | R | R | R | R | R | |
| Hydrofluoric acid 40%* | N | N | R | R | R | |
| Nitric acid (conc) | N | N | N | N | N | |
| Alkalis | Sodium hydroxide 40% | R | N | L | R | L |
| Salt Solutions | Acidic | R | R | R | R | R |
| Solvents | Aliphatic hydrocarbons | R | R | R | R | N |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | L | N | R | R | N | |
| Wet Gases | Oxidizing | N | N | N | N | N |
| Reducing | R | R | R | R | R |
Note: For Hydrofluoric acid, use carbon/graphite fillers for better resistance.
flowchart LR
A[Chemical Type] -->|Acids| B[Epoxy: Mostly R, some N]
A -->|Alkalis| C[Epoxy: Mostly R]
A -->|Solvents| D[Epoxy: R or L]
A -->|Wet Gases| E[Oxidizing: N, Reducing: R]
B --> F[Use Epoxy for broad resistance]
IS 4443: Chemical Resistance Ratings of Resin Type Mortars (Clause 11.1)
The chemical resistance of various resin type mortars to common substances is summarized in Table 1 below. Ratings are for immersion at ambient temperature:
| Substance | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashew Nut Shell Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids | |||||
| Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Chromic acid 10% | N | R | L | N | L |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc.) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrofluoric acid 40% | N* | N* | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid 10% | L | N | L | N | L |
| Nitric acid (conc.) | N | N | N | N | N |
| Phosphoric acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Sulphuric acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Sulphuric acid 40% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Sulphuric acid (conc.) | N | N | L | N | N |
| Alkalies | |||||
| Ammonia 0.880 | R | N | L | R | R |
| Sodium hydroxide 40% | R | N | L | R | L |
| Sodium carbonate | R | L | R | R | R |
| Calcium hydroxide | R | N | R | R | R |
| Salt Solutions | |||||
| Acidic | R | R | R | R | R |
| Type of Resin | Maximum Dry Heat in Air (°C) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy: | |
| - Ambient temperature system | 90 |
| - Heat-cured system | 200 |
| Polyester | 110 - 120 |
| Cashewnut shell liquid resin | 170 - 180 |
graph LR
A[Resin Type] --> B[Dry Heat Limit (°C)]
B --> C[Phenolic: 150]
B --> D[Furane: 150]
B --> E[Epoxy Ambient: 90]
B --> F[Epoxy Heat-cured: 200]
B --> G[Polyester: 110-120]
B --> H[Cashewnut shell liquid: 170-180]
This table and guidance ensure durability and chemical resistance under elevated temperatures per IS 4443.
IS 4443: Safety and Handling Guidelines - Key Points
| Resin Type | Storage Period (Months) |
|---|---|
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 9 |
| Epoxy | 12 |
| Furane | 12 |
| Phenolic | 3 |
| Polyester | 3 |
Note: Storage periods may be adjusted with manufacturer consultation.
| Substance | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashew-nut Shell Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid (conc) | N | N | N | N | N |
| Sulphuric acid (conc) | N | N | L | N | N |
| Sodium hydroxide 40% | R | N | L | R | L |
Legend:
Note: Carbon/graphite fillers recommended for hydrofluoric acid service.
flowchart TD
A[Storage Periods] -->|Resin Type| B[Cashew-nut shell liquid: 9 months]
A --> C[Epoxy/Furane: 12 months]
A --> D[Phenolic/Polyester: 3 months]
E[Safety] --> F[Use gloves/barrier cream]
G[Chemical Resistance] --> H[Refer Table for Resin vs Chemicals]
H --> I[Use R, L, N ratings for guidance]
**Always consult manufacturer for specific handling,
IS 4443: Quality Control and Inspection - Key Points
| Resin Type | Max Dry Heat (°C) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy (Ambient) | 90 |
| Epoxy (Heat-cured) | 200 |
| Polyester | 110-120 |
| Cashewnut shell liquid | 170-180 |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Resin Mortar Selection]
B[Check Chemical Resistance (Table 1)]
C[Check Dry Heat Limits (Table 2)]
D[Visual Inspection]
E[Conduct Chemical & Heat Tests]
F[Approval or Rejection]
A --> B --> C --> D --> E --> F
Summary: Use Table 1 for chemical compatibility, Table 2 for max dry heat, and follow manufacturer guidelines for inspection and testing.
Key Table: Dry Heat Limits of Resin Mortars (Clause 12.1, Table 2)
| Type of Resin | Max Dry Heat in Air (ºC) |
|---|---|
| Phenolic | 150 |
| Furane | 150 |
| Epoxy (Ambient temp system) | 90 |
| Epoxy (Heat-cured system) | 200 |
| Polyester | 110-120 |
| Cashewnut shell liquid resin | 170-180 |
| Quantity | Unit | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Length | metre | m |
| Mass | kilogram | kg |
| Time | second | s |
| Temperature | kelvin | K |
| Force | newton | N = kg·m/s² |
| Pressure/Stress | pascal | Pa = N/m² |
flowchart TD
A[Chemical Environment] --> B{Select Resin Type}
B --> |Non-oxidizing acids| C[Phenolic/Furane/
Frequently Asked
Storage Conditions and Shelf Life of Resin Mortars (IS 4443)
| Resin Type | Storage Period |
|---|---|
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 9 |
| Epoxy | 12 |
| Furane | 12 |
| Phenolic | 3 |
| Polyester | 3 |
| Resin Type | Minimum Curing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furane, Epoxy, Polyester | 48 hours | At ≥ 20℃; self-curing |
| Phenolic | 7 days (no heat) | 2 days with heat treatment (infrared) |
| Cashew-nut shell liquid | 28 days (no heat) | 6 days with heat treatment (infrared) |
Loading diagram...
Summary: Store resin mortars as per the above durations, cure fully before use, and protect from adverse conditions for optimal performance.
Mixing Resin-Type Chemical Resistant Mortars (IS 4443):
Application on Floors (Clause 8.2.1):
Application on Walls (Clause 8.2.2):
Loading diagram...
Summary: Mixing is uniform for both; application differs mainly in laying sequence and caution to avoid sliding on walls.
Chemical Resistance of Resin Mortars (IS 4443 - Clause 11.1, Table 1):
Resin mortars show varying resistance depending on the resin type and chemical:
| Substance | Epoxy | Polyester | Phenolic | Furane | Cashew Nut Shell Liquid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acids: | |||||
| Acetic acid 10% | R | R | R | R | R |
| Chromic acid 10% | N | R | L | N | L |
| Hydrochloric acid (conc.) | R | R | R | R | R |
| Hydrofluoric acid 40% | N | N | R | R | R |
| Nitric acid (conc.) | N | N | N | N | N |
| Sulphuric acid (conc.) | N | N | L | N | N |
| Alkalies: | |||||
| Sodium hydroxide 40% | R | N | L | R | L |
| Calcium hydroxide | R | N | R | R | R |
| Solvents: | |||||
| Aliphatic hydrocarbons | R | R | R | R | N |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | L | N | R | R | N |
| Chlorinated hydrocarbons | L | L | R | R | N |
| Wet gases (oxidizing) | N | N | N | N | N |
| Wet gases (reducing) | R | R | R | R | R |
Legend:
Safety Measures for Handling and Applying Resin Mortars (IS 4443):
Fire Safety: Use inflammable resin mortars only with strict fire precautions (Clause 4.3). Keep away from open flames and sparks.
Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation in mixing and application areas due to vapors and gases released during curing (Clause 4.2). For confined spaces (e.g., vessel linings), use forced air draught.
Personal Hygiene: Remove resin mortar from skin immediately using cotton waste, then wash with warm soap water or special cleansing creams. Do not use solvents for cleaning hands (Clause 9.3).
Storage & Handling: Follow recommendations for safe storage and mixing to prevent accidents (Clause 1.1).
| Aspect | Precaution |
|---|---|
| Fire Hazard | Avoid ignition sources; inflammable labels |
| Ventilation | Provide natural or forced ventilation |
| Skin Contact | Wipe off immediately; wash with soap water |
| Cleaning Equipment | Use solvents only on tools, not on skin |
Loading diagram...
Always prioritize ventilation and fire safety when working with resin mortars.
Curing Duration for Resin Mortars (IS 4443)
General curing time:
Low temperature (<15℃):
Phenolic and cashewnut shell liquid resins:
Protection:
| Resin Type | Temperature Condition | Curing Time Before Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furane, Epoxy, Polyester | ≥ 20℃ | 48 hours | Self-curing |
| Phenolic Resin | Without heat | 7 days | Extended curing |
| Phenolic Resin | With heat | 2 days | Infrared lamp heating |
| Cashewnut shell liquid resin | Without heat | 28 days | Extended curing |
| Cashewnut shell liquid resin | With heat | 6 days | Infrared lamp heating |
| All resin types | < 15℃ | Extended, with heating | Warm units + heated enclosure |
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