IS 6662:1993 specifies the timber species suitable for manufacturing wooden packaging, focusing on their physical properties, durability, treatability, and availability across different Indian zones. It guides engineers and manufacturers in selecting appropriate timber species for packing cases, battens, and internal fittings based on load type, timber classification, and treatment requirements to ensure strength, protection, and longevity of wooden packaging.
Overview
IS 6662:1993 specifies the timber species suitable for manufacturing wooden packaging, focusing on their physical properties, durability, treatability, and availability across different Indian zones. It guides engineers and manufacturers in selecting appropriate timber species for packing cases, battens, and internal fittings based on load type, timber classification, and treatment requirements to ensure strength, protection, and longevity of wooden packaging.
Audience
Contents
Structure
IS 6662 - Scope & Key Specifications Summary
| Zone | States/Areas |
|---|---|
| North | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan |
| East | Assam, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Nagaland, Arunachal, Andamans, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Bhutan |
| Central | Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha (Maharashtra), NE Andhra Pradesh (Godavari delta) |
| West | Maharashtra (except Vidarbha), Gujarat, NW Karnataka |
| South | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh (except Godavari delta), Karnataka (except NW part) |
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy & Average Load (Group) | Difficult Load (Group) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | IV | III |
| 50 to 100 | III | II |
| 100 to 150 | II | I |
| 150 to 250 | I | I |
Note: Timber groups I to IV classify species by strength and suitability (I = strongest).
flowchart LR
A[Mass of Contents] --> B{Load Type}
B -->|Easy/Average| C[Select Timber Group from Easy Load Column]
B -->|Difficult| D[Select Timber Group from Difficult Load Column]
C --> E[Choose Timber Species from Group]
D --> E
This concise framework ensures optimal timber selection for packing cases per IS 6662.
IS 6662: Definitions and Key Specifications for Wooden Packing Cases
| Group | Coefficient Range | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| I | ≥ 95 | Most suitable |
| II | 80 to < 95 | Suitable |
| III | 70 to < 80 | Moderately suitable |
| IV | < 70 | Least suitable |
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy & Average Load | Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Group IV | Group III |
| 50 to 100 | Group III | Group II |
| 100 to 150 | Group II | Group I |
| 150 to 250 | Group I | Group I |
flowchart TD
A[Mass of Contents] --> B{Load Type}
B -->|Easy/Average| C[Select Timber Group]
B -->|Difficult| D[Select Timber Group]
C -->|Up to 50 kg| E[Group IV]
C -->|50-100 kg| F[Group III]
C -->|100-150 kg| G[Group II]
C -->|150-250 kg| H[Group I]
D -->|Up to 50 kg| I[Group III]
D -->|50-100 kg| J[Group II]
D -->|100-150 kg| K[Group I]
D -->|150-
IS 6662: Classification and Availability of Timbers
| Zone | States/Regions Covered |
|---|---|
| North | Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan |
| East | Assam, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Nagaland, Arunachal, Andamans, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Bhutan |
| Central | Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha (Maharashtra), NE Andhra Pradesh (Godavari delta) |
| West | Maharashtra (except Vidarbha), Gujarat, NW Karnataka |
| South | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh (except Godavari delta), Karnataka (except NW part) |
| Zone | Regions Covered |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------|
| North | J&K, HP, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP, Rajasthan |
| East | NE states, WB, Bihar, Orissa, Andamans, Bhutan |
| Central | MP, Vidarbha (MH), NE Andhra Pradesh |
| West | MH (except Vidarbha), Gujarat, NW Karnataka |
| South | TN, Kerala, AP (except Godavari delta), Karnataka (except NW) |
For detailed timber properties and suitability coefficients, refer Annex A of IS 6662 and IS 399:1963 for density values.
IS 6662: Key Details on Species of Timber for Packaging
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Comparative Strength Coeff. | Relative strength vs. teak (100 basis) |
| Average Mass (12% MC) | Density in kg/m³ at 12% moisture content |
| Durability | High, Moderate, Low |
| Treatability | Ease of preservative treatment (A, B, C) |
| Refractoriness to Seasoning | Resistance to drying defects |
| Workability | Easy, Moderate, Difficult |
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy/Average Load | Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Group IV | Group III |
| 50 to 100 | Group III | Group II |
| 100 to 150 | Group II | Group I |
| 150 to 250 | Group I | Group I |
| Botanical Name | Trade Name | Density (kg/m³) | Strength Coeff. | Durability | Treatability | Workability | Availability (Zones) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aphanamixis polystachya | Pitaj | 690 | 100 | High | B | Moderate | North, Central, South |
| Eucalyptus hybrid | Mysore Gom | 772 | 98 | Low ** | - | Moderate | Central |
IS 6662: Classification & Comparative Suitability Coefficients for Timber Packing Cases
Timbers are classified into 4 groups based on suitability coefficient relative to teak (taken as 100):
| Group | Comparative Suitability Coefficient Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| I | ≥ 95 | Most suitable species |
| II | 80 to < 95 | Moderately suitable |
| III | 70 to < 80 | Less suitable |
| IV | < 70 | Least suitable |
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Average Mass at 12% moisture | Density in kg/m³ at standard moisture content (col 4) |
| Durability | Resistance to decay (High, Moderate, Low) |
| Treatability | Ease of preservative treatment |
| Refractoriness to Seasoning | Classified as: |
| - Class A: Highly refractory (slow drying, prone to cracks) | |
| - Class B: Moderately refractory | |
| - Class C: Non-refractory (rapid drying, risk of blue stain) | |
| Workability | Ease of machining and handling |
| Availability | Regional availability across Indian zones |
| Botanical Name | Trade Name | Avg. Mass (kg/m³) | Suitability Coeff. | Durability | Seasoning Class | Workability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aphanamixis polystachya | Pitaj | 690 | 100 | High | B | Moderate |
| Caroya articulata | Kumbi | 785 | 111 | High | A | Moderate |
| Zanthoxylum rhetsa | Mullitam | 735 | 113 | High | B |
IS 6662: Selection of Materials for Wooden Packing Cases
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy/Average Load | Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Group IV | Group III |
| 50 to 100 | Group III | Group II |
| 100 to 150 | Group II | Group I |
| 150 to 250 | Group I | Group I |
flowchart TD
A[Determine Mass of Contents] --> B{Type of Load?}
B -->|Easy/Average| C[Select Timber Group from Easy Load Column]
B -->|Difficult| D[Select Timber Group from Difficult Load Column]
C --> E[Choose Timber Species with Suitability Coefficient in Group]
D --> E
E --> F[Check Timber Availability by Zone]
F --> G[Ensure Material Quality per Clause 4.4]
This concise framework ensures optimal timber selection balancing mechanical suitability, load type, content mass, and regional availability per IS 6662.
IS 6662: Delivery - Key Formulas, Tables & Specifications
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy & Average Load (Timber Group) | Difficult Load (Timber Group) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | IV | III |
| 50 to 100 | III | II |
| 100 to 150 | II | I |
| 150 to 250 | I | I |
flowchart LR
A[Content Mass] --> B{Load Type}
B -->|Easy/Average| C[Select Timber Group from Table 1]
B -->|Difficult| D[Select Higher Timber Group]
C --> E[Use appropriate timber species]
D --> E
Summary: Use Table 1 to select timber species based on content weight and load type for durable, safe delivery packing.
IS 6662: Timber Species Suitable for Wooden Packaging - Key Points
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Timber Group for Easy/Average Load | Timber Group for Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | IV | III |
| 50 to 100 | III | II |
| 100 to 150 | II | I |
| 150 to 250 | I | I |
flowchart TD
A[Determine Mass of Contents] --> B{Mass Range}
B -->|Up to 50 kg| C[Group IV (Easy Load) / Group III (Difficult Load)]
B -->|50-100 kg| D[Group III (Easy Load) / Group II (Difficult Load)]
B -->|100-150 kg| E[Group II (Easy Load) / Group I (Difficult Load)]
B -->|150-250 kg| F[Group I (Easy & Difficult Load)]
C --> G[Select Timber Species from Group]
D --> G
E --> G
F --> G
For detailed species list and treatment methods, consult Annex A and IS 401 & IS 1141.
IS 6662: Load Classification & Selection Guide for Wooden Packing Cases
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy & Average Load | Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Group IV | Group III |
| 50 to 100 | Group III | Group II |
| 100 to 150 | Group II | Group I |
| 150 to 250 | Group I | Group I |
flowchart TD
A[Load Type] -->|Easy| B[Select Timber Group (IV to I) by Mass]
A -->|Average| B
A -->|Difficult| C[Select Higher Timber Group (III to I)]
B --> D[Mass ≤ 50: IV or III]
B --> E[Mass 50-100: III or II]
B --> F[Mass 100-150: II or I]
B --> G[Mass 150-250: I]
C --> F
C --> G
This guide ensures proper timber species selection based on load characteristics and mass for safe, economical packing case design.
The Timber Stores Sectional Committee, CED 33 and the Wooden Containers Subcommittee, CED 33:2 are responsible for the standard’s formulation and revision. Key points:
This multi-disciplinary committee ensures comprehensive coverage of timber packaging needs, quality control, and testing standards.
If you want details on comparative suitability coefficients or timber availability tables, please specify!
Frequently Asked
According to IS 6662, timber species for wooden packaging are classified into four groups (I to IV) based on suitability related to the mass of contents and type of load:
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy/Average Load | Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Group IV | Group III |
| 50 to 100 | Group III | Group II |
| 100 to 150 | Group II | Group I |
| 150 to 250 | Group I | Group I |
This classification helps ensure adequate strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness in packaging design.
Example Timber Grouping (Typical):
| Group | Timber Species (Examples) |
|---|---|
| I | Teak, Sal |
| II | Mango, Jackfruit |
| III | Pine, Deodar |
| IV | Poplar, Rubberwood |
(Refer to IS 6662 Annex B for detailed species lists.)
IS 6662 Categorization of Timber Based on Durability and Treatability
Durability Classification (Clause 5.2):
Timber species are classified by average life in graveyard tests (exposed conditions):
Treatability Classification (Clause 5.3):
Based on preservative penetration under standard pressure treatments:
Preservative Treatment (Clause 4.7):
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This classification guides selection and treatment for wooden packaging per IS 6662.
Guidelines for Selecting Timber Species Based on Load Type (IS 6662 - Clause 6.1 & Table 1):
The selection depends primarily on mass of contents and type of load (easy/average or difficult). The timber group classification is as follows:
| Mass of Contents (kg) | Easy/Average Load | Difficult Load |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 50 | Group IV | Group III |
| 50 to 100 | Group III | Group II |
| 100 to 150 | Group II | Group I |
| 150 to 250 | Group I | Group I |
Additional Notes:
This ensures safe, cost-effective packing case construction tailored to load demands.
According to IS 6662:
Clause 6.2.1 adds:
| Condition | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Single timber species per case | Preferred |
| Multiple species, same group | Allowed |
| Multiple species, different groups | Not allowed |
| Battens different species, same group | Allowed |
| Battens from Group III with Group IV shooks | Allowed (special case) |
This ensures uniformity in strength, durability, and performance of the packing case.
Preservative Treatment for Non-Durable Timber (IS 6662: Clause 4.7)
| Durability | Average Life (months) | Treatment Need |
|---|---|---|
| High | ≥ 120 | Minimal or sapwood treatment only |
| Moderate | 60 to <120 | Preservative treatment recommended |
| Low | < 60 | Mandatory preservative treatment |
Key:
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