IS 4860:1968 specifies requirements and test methods for acid-resistant bricks used primarily in chemical and allied industries to resist acid attack, excluding hydrofluoric and perchloric acids. It defines two classes of bricks based on performance criteria such as water absorption, flexural and compressive strength, acid resistance, and wear resistance. This standard is essential for engineers involved in designing and constructing acid-resistant masonry, flooring, and linings in chemical plants, industrial effluent sewers, and related environments.
Overview
IS 4860:1968 specifies requirements and test methods for acid-resistant bricks used primarily in chemical and allied industries to resist acid attack, excluding hydrofluoric and perchloric acids. It defines two classes of bricks based on performance criteria such as water absorption, flexural and compressive strength, acid resistance, and wear resistance. This standard is essential for engineers involved in designing and constructing acid-resistant masonry, flooring, and linings in chemical plants, industrial effluent sewers, and related environments.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 4860: Introduction - Key Formulas, Tables & Specifications
| Dimension (mm) | Permissible Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| 230 | ±3.5 |
| 114 | ±2.0 |
| 64 | ±1.0 |
| Requirement | Criteria for Conformity | Class I Bricks | Class II Bricks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption | x₁ + 0.6R₁ < | 2% | 4% |
| Flexural Strength | x₂ - 0.6R₂ > | 100 kg/cm² | 70 kg/cm² |
| Compressive Strength | x₃ - 0.6R₃ > | 700 kg/cm² | 500 kg/cm² |
| Resistance to Acid | x₄ + 0.6R₄ < | 1.5% | 4% |
flowchart TD
A[Brick Dimensions] -->|Check Tolerances| B{Within Limits?}
B -->|Yes| C[Proceed to Performance Tests]
B -->|No| D[Reject Batch]
C --> E{Performance Criteria}
E -->|Meets| F[Classify as Class I or II]
E -->|Fails| D
F --> G[Use of Standard Mark (BIS License)]
This concise overview aids in understanding IS 4860 introduction essentials.
IS 4860: Scope - Key Specifications and Tolerances
| Dimension (mm) | Permissible Tolerance (± mm) |
|---|---|
| 230 | 3.5 |
| 114 | 2.0 |
| 64 | 1.0 |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Product Dimensions] --> B[Check Tolerances per Table]
B --> C{Within Tolerance?}
C -- Yes --> D[Perform Tests]
C -- No --> E[Reject Lot]
D --> F[Round Results (IS 2-1960)]
F --> G{Meet Performance Criteria (Table 3)?}
G -- Yes --> H[Accept Lot]
G -- No --> E
This ensures dimensional accuracy and performance compliance for materials under IS 4860.
IS 4860 – Dimensions and Tolerances for Acid-Resistant Bricks
| Dimension (mm) | Tolerance (± mm) |
|---|---|
| 230 | 3.5 |
| 114 | 2.0 |
| 64 | 1.0 |
These ensure dimensional accuracy and flatness essential for acid-resistant brick applications.
flowchart LR
A[Nominal Dimensions] --> B[Tolerances]
B --> C[Length: 230 ±3.5 mm]
B --> D[Width: 114 ±2.0 mm]
B --> E[Height: 64 ±1.0 mm]
A --> F[Warpage]
F --> G[Max 2.5 mm deviation]
IS 4860: Physical Requirements Summary
| Dimension (mm) | Permissible Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| 230 | ±3.5 |
| 114 | ±2.0 |
| 64 | ±1.0 |
| Property | Test Results (X) | Average (x̄) | Range (R) | Criteria for Conformity | Class I Bricks | Class II Bricks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption | X11, X18, ... Xn | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < | 2% | 4% |
| Flexural Strength | XE1, X11, ... Xan | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > | 100 kg/cm² | 70 kg/cm² |
| Compressive Strength | Xar, Xa, ... Xan | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > | 700 kg/cm² | 500 kg/cm² |
| Resistance to Acid | X4 | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < | 1.5% loss | 4% loss |
flowchart TD
A[Brick Sample Testing] --> B{Measure Properties}
B --> C[Water Absorption]
B
IS 4860 - Classification of Acid-Resistant Bricks
| Characteristic | Class I Bricks (Min/Max) | Class II Bricks (Min/Max) | Test Method (Appendix) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption (%) | ≤ 2 | ≤ 4 | Appendix A |
| Flexural Strength (kg/cm²) | ≥ 100 | ≥ 70 | Appendix B |
| Compressive Strength (kg/cm²) | ≥ 700 | ≥ 500 | Appendix C |
| Resistance to Acid (Weight loss %) | ≤ 1.5 | ≤ 4 | Appendix D |
| Resistance to Wear (mm) | ≤ 2 (average wear) | Not specified | Appendix A of IS:1237-1959 |
For a lot to conform, the following must be satisfied:
| Requirement | Test Result Average (x̄) | Range (R) | Conformity Criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < 2% (Class I) or < 4% (Class II) |
| Flexural Strength | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > 100 (Class I) or > 70 (Class II) |
| Compressive Strength | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > 700 (Class I) or > 500 (Class II) |
| Resistance to Acid | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < 1.5% (Class I) or < 4% (Class II) |
IS 4860: Performance Requirements - Key Formulas & Tables
| Requirement | Test Results (X) | Average (x̄) | Range (R) | Conformity Criteria | Class I Bricks | Class II Bricks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | X₁, X₂, ... Xₙ | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < | 2% | 4% |
| Flexural strength | X₁, X₂, ... Xₙ | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > | 100 kg/cm² | 70 kg/cm² |
| Compressive strength | X₁, X₂, ... Xₙ | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > | 700 kg/cm² | 500 kg/cm² |
| Resistance to acid | X₁, X₂, ... Xₙ | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < | 1.5% | 4% |
| Dimension (mm) | Permissible Tolerance (mm) |
|---|---|
| 230 | ±3.5 |
| 114 | ±2.0 |
| 64 | ±1.0 |
flowchart TD
A[Test Samples] --> B{Calculate Average (x̄) & Range (R)}
B --> C[Check Water Absorption: x̄ + 0.6R < Limit]
IS 4860: Sampling and Criteria for Conformity of Acid-Resistant Bricks
| Lot Size | Sample Size | Max Defective Bricks Allowed | Sub-sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 | 50 | 2 | 24 |
| 1,001 to 3,000 | 80 | 3 | 28 |
| 3,001 to 10,000 | 125 | 5 | 32 |
| Over 10,000 | 200 | 7 | 40 |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Define Lot Size] --> B{Lot Size?}
B -->|≤1000| C[Sample 50 bricks]
B -->|1001-3000| D[Sample 80 bricks]
B -->|3001-10000| E[Sample 125 bricks]
B -->|>10000| F[Sample 200 bricks]
C --> G[Check defective bricks ≤ 2]
D --> H[Check defective bricks ≤ 3]
E --> I[Check defective bricks ≤ 5]
F --> J[Check defective bricks ≤ 7]
G --> K{Pass?}
H --> K
I --> K
J --> K
K -->|Yes| L[Lot Conforms]
K -->|No| M[Lot Rejected]
This ensures quality control per IS 4860 standards.
IS 4860: Marking and Key Specifications
| Property | Test Results (X) | Average (x̄) | Range (R) | Conformity Criterion | Class I Bricks | Class II Bricks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption | X1, X2, ..., Xn | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < | < 2% | < 4% |
| Flexural Strength | X1, X2, ..., Xn | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > | 100 kg/cm² | 70 kg/cm² |
| Compressive Strength | X1, X2, ..., Xn | x̄ | R | x̄ - 0.6R > | 700 kg/cm² | 500 kg/cm² |
| Resistance to Acid | X1, X2, ..., Xn | x̄ | R | x̄ + 0.6R < | 1.5% | 4% |
flowchart LR
A[Brick Production] --> B[Testing for Performance]
B --> C{Check Criteria}
C -->|All Passed| D[Mark with Standard Mark]
C -->|Any Fail| E[Reject or Reprocess]
This ensures bricks meet BIS quality before marking.
IS 4860: Test for Water Absorption of Bricks
[ \text{Percentage Water Absorption} = \frac{W_w - W_a}{W_a} \times 100 ]
Where:
flowchart LR
A[Weigh Oven-Dry Specimen (Wa)] --> B[Boil in Distilled Water for 2 hrs]
B --> C[Immerse in Cold Water for 20 hrs]
C --> D[Wipe Surface & Weigh (Ww)]
D --> E[Calculate Water Absorption %]
This test ensures bricks meet durability and quality standards per IS 4860.
IS 4860: Test for Flexural Strength of Bricks
Flexural strength, ( F ) (kg/cm²), is calculated as:
[ F = \frac{3PL}{2BD^2} ]
Where:
flowchart LR
A[Brick Specimen] -->|Placed on| B(Bearers A & B)
B -->|Load applied at center| C(Bearer C)
C --> D[Load P recorded]
D --> E[Calculate Flexural Strength F = 3PL/2BD²]
This method ensures consistent and standardized flexural strength testing as per IS 4860.
IS 4860: Test for Compressive Strength of Bricks
[ \text{Compressive Strength} = \frac{P}{A} = \frac{P}{L \times B} \quad \text{kg/cm}^2 ]
Where:
| Parameter | Value/Description |
|---|---|
| Load application rate | 140 kg/cm²/min |
| Specimen preparation | Soaked, wiped dry, placed on sheets |
| Plate type | Spherical seating plate |
| Thickness of sheets | 3 mm (plywood/asbestos) |
| Strength unit | kg/cm² |
flowchart LR
A[Brick soaked in water] --> B[Wipe dry]
B --> C[Place between 3mm sheets]
C --> D[Place in compression machine]
D --> E[Apply load at 140 kg/cm²/min]
E --> F[Record failure load P]
F --> G[Calculate compressive strength = P / (L x B)]
This ensures accurate and standardized compressive strength testing of bricks as per IS 4860.
IS 4860: Test for Resistance to Acid – Key Points
[ \text{Weight Loss %} = \frac{W_1 - W_2}{W_1} \times 100 ]
flowchart TD
A[Prepare Brick Specimen] --> B[Measure Initial Weight (W1)]
B --> C[Immerse in Acid Solution (5% H2SO4)]
C --> D[Duration: 24-48 hours]
D --> E[Remove & Dry Specimen]
E --> F[Measure Final Weight (W2)]
F --> G[Calculate Weight Loss %]
G --> H{Weight Loss ≤ 5%?}
H -- Yes --> I[Pass Acid Resistance Test]
H -- No --> J[Fail Acid Resistance Test]
For detailed procedure, refer to IS 4860 and related acid-resistant brick standards.
IS 4860: Sampling Procedure & Conformity Criteria
| Lot Size | Sample Size | Permissible Defective Bricks | Sub-sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 | 50 | 2 | 24 |
| 1,001 to 3,000 | 80 | 3 | 28 |
| 3,001 to 10,000 | 125 | 5 | 32 |
| Over 10,000 | 200 | 7 | 40 |
flowchart TD
A[Start: Identify Lot Size] --> B[Select Sample Size (Table 2)]
B --> C[Random Sampling of Bricks]
C --> D[Test Sub-sample (Clause 6.1)]
D --> E{Defective Bricks ≤ Permissible?}
E -- Yes --> F[Lot Conforms]
E -- No --> G[Lot Does Not Conform]
Note: Refer to Appendix E for detailed sampling and testing procedures.
Frequently Asked
Key Differences between Class I and Class II Acid-Resistant Bricks (IS 4860: Clause 4.1 & Table 1):
| Characteristic | Class I Bricks | Class II Bricks |
|---|---|---|
| Water Absorption (%) | Max 2 | Max 4 |
| Flexural Strength | Min 100 kg/cm² | Min 70 kg/cm² |
| Compressive Strength | Min 700 kg/cm² | Min 500 kg/cm² |
| Resistance to Acid | Max weight loss 1.5% | Max weight loss 4.0% |
| Resistance to Wear | Average wear ≤ 2 mm | Not specified |
These bricks are made from low lime/iron clays, vitrified at high temperatures, and used with chemical-resistant mortars.
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This classification ensures selection based on severity of chemical exposure and mechanical demands.
Materials Permitted for Acid-Resistant Bricks (IS 4860):
Raw materials:
Manufacturing process:
Key points:
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This ensures durability against acid attack in specified environments per IS 4860.
Resistance to Acid Attack Testing (IS 4860 - Appendix D):
Test Principle: Measure weight loss of acid-resistant bricks after exposure to a specified acid.
Procedure:
Measurement:
[ \text{Loss in weight (%)} = \frac{W_1 - W_2}{W_1} \times 100 ]
Acceptance Criteria:
This test ensures durability of bricks in acidic environments, critical for chemical plant linings and sewer constructions.
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IS 4860: Dimensional Tolerances and Warpage Limits
| Dimension (mm) | Tolerance (± mm) |
|---|---|
| 230 | 3.5 |
| 114 | 2.0 |
| 64 | 1.0 |
Warpage Limit (Clause 2.4):
No surface shall deviate from a plane by more than 2.5 mm at any point.
Warpage Measurement (Clause 2.4.1):
Use a straight edge placed flat on the brick over a plane surface. Measure the maximum gap between the straight edge and the brick surface using a metallic wedge.
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This ensures bricks meet flatness and dimensional accuracy per IS 4860.
According to IS 4860 for brick sampling and testing:
| Lot Size | Sample Size | Permissible Defective Bricks | Sub-Sample Size (for testing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,000 | 50 | 2 | 24 |
| 1,001 to 3,000 | 80 | 3 | 28 |
| 3,001 to 10,000 | 125 | 5 | 32 |
| Over 10,000 | 200 | 7 | 40 |
Testing procedure:
Random sampling method: Use random number tables or systematic sampling by selecting every r-th brick, where
[
r = \left\lfloor \frac{N}{n} \right\rfloor
]
(N = lot size, n = sample size) (Clause 1.2.1).
Summary:
For a lot of 3,000 bricks, select 125 bricks randomly, test a sub-sample of 32 bricks, with max 5 defective allowed. If exceeded, retest another sample.
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