IS : 3677 - 1985

(Superseding IS : 5696 - 1970)

(Reaffirmed 2006)
Edition 3.1
(2000-09)
Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
UNBONDED ROCK AND SLAG WOOL FOR
THERMAL INSULATION
( Second Revision )
(Incorporating Amendment No. 1)

UDC 662.998.3 : 666.198

© BIS 2008

BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

MANAK BHAVAN , 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

Price Group 3
 IS : 3677 - 1985
(Superseding IS : 5696 - 1970)

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
UNBONDED ROCK AND SLAG WOOL FOR
THERMAL INSULATION
( Second Revision )
Thermal Insulation Materials Sectional Committee, CDC 37
Chairman Representing
DR B. C. RAYCHAUDHURI Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Members
SHRI U. C. AGRAWAL Synthetic Foams Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI RAJEEVA KANSAL ( Alternate )
CHEMIST & METALLURGIST Research, Designs and Standards Organization
(RDSO), Ministry of Railways, Lucknow
ASSTT RESEARCH OFFICER
(CM-II) ( Alternate )
SHRI N. N. GOYAL Fibreglass Pilkington Ltd, Bombay
SHRI G. K. TAKIAR ( Alternate )
SHRI A. K. GUPTA Hyderabad Asbestos Cement Products Ltd,
Hyderabad
SHRI K. V. GURUSWAMY Indian Oil Corporation, New Delhi
SHRI R. K. LAKHANPAL ( Alternate )
SHRI A. V. HINGORANI Steel Authority of India Ltd, Ranchi
SHRI B. S. VANKATARAMIAH ( Alternate )
SHRI I. K. KAPOOR Directorate General of Technical Development,
New Delhi
SHRI K. V. SAMPATH ( Alternate )
SHRI A. S. R. MURTHY Ministry of Energy, New Delhi
SHRI S. M. C. PILLAI National Thermal Power Corporation, New Delhi
SHRI RAM GOPAL ( Alternate )
DR M. PRASAD Central Mechanical Engg Research Institute (CSIR),
Durgapur
SHRI R. N. BANERJEE ( Alternate )
SHRI R. P. PUNJ Punj Sons Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI J. K. CHOPRA ( Alternate )
SHRI P. K. REDDY Mettur Beardsell Ltd, Madras
SHRI S. RAVINDRAN ( Alternate )
DR H. C. ROY Projects & Development India Ltd, Sindri
SHRI S. P. S. KHALSA ( Alternate )
( Continued on page 2 )

© BIS 2008
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This publication is protected under the Indian Copyright Act (XIV of 1957) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
IS : 3677 - 1985
( Continued from page 1 )
Members Representing
SHRI R. SHANKARAN Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, Hyderabad
SHRI D. S. UPADHYAYA ( Alternate I )
SHRI B. K. DUBEY( Alternate II )
DR G. K. SHARMA Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
SHRI N. SRINIVAS Lloyd Insulations (India) Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI C. P. KHANNA ( Alternate )
SHRI M. BALA SUBRAMANIAM BASF India Limited, Bombay
SHRI R. N. GANJOO ( Alternate )
SHRI V. A. SURA Newkem Products Corporation, Bombay
SHRI NIMISH V. SURA ( Alternate )
SHRI T. UDYAKUMAR PIBCO Ltd, New Delhi
SMT U. ROY ( Alternate )
DR V. V. VERMA Central Building Research Institute (CSIR), Roorkee
SHRI S. P. JAIN ( Alternate )
SHRI V. P. WASAN National Physical Laboratory (CSIR), New Delhi
SHRI K. N. BHATNAGAR ( Alternate )
SHRI S. K. MATHUR, Director General, BIS ( Ex-officio Member )
Director (Chem)
Secretary
SHRI P. S. ARORA
Senior Deputy Director (Chem), BIS

Panel for Fibrous Thermal Insulation Materials, CDC 37 : P2

Convener
SHRI R. P. PUNJ Punj Sons Private Limited, New Delhi
Members
SHRI J. K. CHOPRA ( Alternate to
Shri R. P. Punj )
SHRI R. K. AGARWAL Fibreglass Pilkington Ltd, Bombay
SHRI G. K. TAKIAR ( Alternate )
SHRI VIJAY BURMAN Indo-Bell Insulations Pvt Ltd, Calcutta
SHRI T. UDAY KUMAR PIBCO Ltd, New Delhi
SMT U. ROY ( Alternate )
SHRI G. C. PANDIT Minwool Insulation Limited, Hyderabad
SHRI L. N. BADRUKA ( Alternate )
SHRI S. C. PURI Metallurgical & Engineering Consultants (India)
Ltd, Ranchi
SHRI P. K. REDDY Mettur Beard sell Ltd, Madras
SHRI S. RAVINDRAN ( Alternate )
SHRI R. SHANKARAN Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Hardwar
SHRI G. S. SHUKLA Ministry of Defence (DGI)
SHRI K. K. AGNIHOTRI ( Alternate )
SHRI N. SRINIVAS Lloyd Insulations (India) Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
SHRI C. P. KHANNA ( Alternate )
SHRI R. K. P. SRIVASTAVA Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Virbhadra
SHRI Y. P. SABHARWAL ( Alternate )
SHRI G. VAIDYANATHAN Ministry of Railways
SHRI O. N. KOHLI ( Alternate )

2
 IS : 3677 - 1985

Indian Standard
SPECIFICATION FOR
UNBONDED ROCK AND SLAG WOOL FOR
THERMAL INSULATION
( Second Revision )
0. F O R E W O R D
0.1 This Indian Standard (Second Revision) was adopted by the Indian
Standards Institution on 20 January 1985, after the draft finalized by
the Thermal Insulation Materials Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Chemical Division Council.
0.2 This standard was first published in 1966 and had covered only rock
and slag wool mats, while loose rock and slag wool was covered separately
in IS : 5696-1970*. While revising these standards for the first time in
1973, the Committee then decided that, since the basic material was the
same in both the cases, these should be issued as one standard.
Consequently the first revision of IS : 3677 covered the material in both
loose and mat forms, and IS : 5696-1970* was withdrawn.
0.2.1 In this second revision the use of alternate metallic wire
diameter for stitching of mats is provided, the type of metallic cage is
elaborated, the thermal conductivity at a higher temperature (250°C
mean temperature) is specified and the use of alternate widths is also
permitted.
0.3 The unbonded rock wool and slag wool may be used either in the form
of loose rock and slag wool as filling material where bulk insulation is
needed and are commonly applied by hand packing, or in the form of
stitched mats. The mats may be faced on one or both sides with a
confining medium. The confining media may be of metallic cage (wire
netting, expanded metal and metallic lath), hessian cloth, scrim cloth,
kraft paper or glass tissue. Mats made of rock or slag wool covered in this
standard may or may not be reinforced with a confining media.
0.4 Unbonded rock and slag wool can be used with suitable facing
material for the temperature range of 700°C to – 200ºC.
0.5 This edition 3.1 incorporates Amendment No. 1 (September 2000).
Side bar indicates modification of the text as the result of
incorporation of the amendment.
*Specification for loose mineral wool (rock wool and slag wool).

3
IS : 3677 - 1985
0.6 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of
this standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated,
expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in
accordance with IS : 2-1960*. The number of significant places
retained in the rounded off value should be the same as that of the
specified value in this standard.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard prescribes the requirements and the methods of
sampling and test for unbonded rock and slag wool for thermal insulation.
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.1 For the purpose of this standard, the definitions of terms, symbols
and units given in IS : 3069-1965† shall apply.
3. TYPES
3.1 The unbonded rock and slag wool shall be of two types, namely:
Type 1 — Loose rock and slag wool, and
Type 2 — Stitched rock and slag wool mats.
4. REQUIREMENTS
4.1 Description
4.1.1 Type 1 — Type 1 shall be a fluffy, light weight material.
4.1.2 Type 2 — Type 2 material shall be in the form of stitched mats
provided with a confining media on one or both sides.
4.1.2.1 If the confining medium provided is of metallic cage, it shall be
attached to the mat either by stabbing at not more than 250 mm centres
or by stitching at not more than 250 mm along the width and 150 mm
along the length with twine or metallic wire of 0.7 mm or 0.56 mm
diameter or as agreed to between the purchaser and the supplier.
NOTE — The metallic cage is of GI hexagonal wire-netting ( see IS : 3150-1982‡ ) and
of 0.63 mm wire diameter with a mesh of 13 or 19 mm or as agreed to between the
buyer and the supplier.
4.1.2.2 If the confining medium provided is of hessian cloth, scrim
cloth, kraft paper or glass tissue, it shall be stitched to the mat with a
suitable twine.
NOTE — Since the twine is intended for handling purposes, it may not stand the
maximum temperature for that type of mat.

*Rules for rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

†Glossary of terms, symbols and units relating to thermal insulation materials.
‡Hexagonal wire netting for general purposes ( second revision ).

4
 IS : 3677 - 1985
4.2 Apparent Density — The apparent density of Type 2 of the
material shall be as agreed to between the purchaser and the supplier.
A tolerance of ± 15 percent shall be allowed on the manufacturer’s
declared value when tested in accordance with the method prescribed
in 8 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.3 Apparent Density Under Specified Load — The apparent
density under specified load of both types of the material shall be not
more than the following values, when determined by the method pres-
cribed in 9 of IS : 3144-1981*. The test shall be carried out after
thoroughly fluffing the material. Consistency of results can be
obtained only at the manufacturer’s end since deviation in results
occurs due to transportation, storage and handling:
Load Apparent Density Under Specified
kg/cm2 Load, Max



















At Factory At Site
kg/m3 kg/m3
0.01 95 115
0.02 105 130
0.05 136 165
0.07 150 185
0.10 165 200

4.4 Shot Content — The shot content, when sieved through the
prescribed sieve, shall be not more than the values given below. The
method for the determination of shot content shall be as prescribed
in 12 of IS : 3144-1981*. Any shot present shall not be greater
than 5 mm in any dimension:†
IS Sieve Shot Content, Percent
( see IS : 460 (Part 1)-1978† ) by Mass, Max
500-micron 5
250-micron 10

4.5 Moisture Absorption — The material shall not gain in mass by

more than 2 percent when tested by the method prescribed in 14 of
IS : 3144-1981*.
4.6 Incombustibility — The material shall be rated as incombustible
when it passes the test as prescribed in 15 of IS : 3144-1981*.
*Methods of test mineral wool thermal insulation materials ( first revision ).
†Specification for test sieves: Part 1 Wire cloth test sieves ( second revision ).

5
IS : 3677 - 1985
4.6.1 The loss in total mass, when determined by this test, shall not
exceed 5 percent.
4.7 Thermal Conductivity or k-Value — The thermal conductivity
or k-value of the material at specified apparent densities shall not
exceed the following values when determined in accordance with the
method prescribed in IS : 3346-1980*.
Mean Temperature Thermal Conductivity ( k-Value )
of Material at Different Apparent Densities


























200 kg/m3 150 kg/m3 120 kg/m3 100 kg/m3
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
°C mW/cm deg mW/cm deg mW/cm deg mW/cm deg
50 0.42 0.46 0.48 0.50
100 0.50 0.52 0.54 0.56
150 0.60 0.62 0.66 0.68
200 0.72 0.75 0.78 0.80
250 0.83 0.88 0.89 1.02
4.8 Sulphur Content — The material, after removal of the confining
media, if any, shall not contain more than 0.6 percent of sulphur when
determined by the method as prescribed in 18 of IS : 3144-1981†.
4.9 Width — Type 2 material shall be supplied in width of 90 ± 5 cm or
any other width mutually agreed upon between the buyer and the
supplier. The method for the determination of width shall be as
prescribed in 5 of IS : 3144-1981†.
4.10 Thickness — Type 2 material shall be supplied in thicknesses of
25, 40, 50, 60, 75, 90 and 100 mm or as agreed upon between the
purchaser and the supplier. They are usually supplied in thickness
substantially in excess of nominal thickness in order to ensure the right
thickness after application as they get compressed during application.
The usual tolerance allowed is – 5 mm. The method for the
determination of thickness shall be as prescribed in 6 of IS : 3144-1981†.
4.11 Optional Requirements — If required by the purchaser, the
bonded rock and slag wool shall also comply with the optional
requirements given in 4.11.1 to 4.11.11.
4.11.1 Moisture Content — The unbonded rock and slag wool as
received, shall not contain more than 2 percent moisture when
determined by the method as prescribed in 13 of IS : 3144-1981†.
*Method for the determination of thermal conductivity for thermal insulation
materials (two slab, guarded) hot-plate method ( first revision ).
†Methods of test for mineral wool thermal insulation materials ( first revision ).

6
 IS : 3677 - 1985
4.11.2 Resistance to Micro-organisms — The unbonded rock and slag
wool shall not show any mould or bacterial growth when tested by the
method as prescribed in 16 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.3 Odour Emission Test — There shall be no apparent difference
in odour of the butter when compared with the blanks and tested by
the method as prescribed in 17 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.4 Oil Content — Oil content shall be as agreed to between the
purchaser and the supplier but it shall be not more than 2 percent
when determined by the method prescribed in 19 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.5 Carbon Content — The unbonded rock and slag wool shall not
contain more than 0.3 percent of total carbon when determined by the
method as prescribed in 20 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.6 Resistance to Vibration — The unbonded rock and slag wool
shall show not more than 1 percent by height of settlement when
tested by the method as prescribed in 21.1 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.7 Resistance to Jolting — The unbonded rock and slag wool shall
show not more than 3 percent by height of settlement, or as agreed to
between the purchaser and the supplier, when tested by the method as
prescribed in 21.2 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.8 Heat Resistance — The material shall not suffer visible
deterioration in the fibrous structure when heated to the maximum
recommended temperature of use when tested by the method as
prescribed in 11 of IS : 3144-1981*.
NOTE — Any colour changes shall not be considered as visible deterioration in the
fibrous structure.
4.11.9 Fibre Diameter — The average fibre diameter of the wool shall
not be more than 7 microns when determined by the method as
prescribed in 23 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.10 Alkalinity — The pH of the solution of the material shall be
between 7.0 and 10.0 when tested in accordance with the method
prescribed in 24 of IS : 3144-1981*.
4.11.11 Corrosive Attack — The material shall not cause corrosion of
the surface on which it is applied.
NOTE — It has been found that if the chloride content in the material exceeds
0.01 percent by mass and if the conditions are such that chloride concentration can
take place on the surface of certain austenitic stainless steels, there is a possibility of
stress corrosion at elevated temperature.

*Methods of test for mineral wool thermal insulation materials ( first revision ).

7
IS : 3677 - 1985
If such an instance arises, suitable measures should be taken during the
application of insulation, for example, aluminium foil should be wrapped around the
surface to be insulated before the application of insulation or an anticorrosive paint
should be applied prior to the application of insulation.

5. PACKING AND MARKING

5.1 Packing — The material shall be packed in hessian bags or poly-
ethylene bags or as agreed to between the purchaser and the supplier.
5.2 Marking — The packages shall be legibly and indelibly marked
with the following information:
a) Name of the manufacturer and recognized trade-mark, if any;
b) Type of the material;
c) Apparent density of the material;
d) Length, width and thickness of the material for Type 2;
e) Details of the confining media, if any; and
f) Batch number.
5.2.1 The packages may also be marked with the Standard Mark.
NOTE — The use of the Standard Mark is governed by the provisions of the Bureau of
Indian Standards Act, 1986 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The
Standard Mark on products covered by an Indian Standard conveys the assurance
that they have been produced to comply with the requirements of that standard
under a well defined system of inspection, testing and quality control which is
devised and supervised by BIS and operated by the producer. Standard marked
products are also continuously checked by BIS for conformity to that standard as a
further safeguard. Details of conditions under which a licence for the use of the
Standard Mark may be granted to manufacturers or producers may be obtained from
the Bureau of Indian Standards.

6. SAMPLING
6.1 Representative samples of the material shall be drawn and their
conformity determined in accordance with the method prescribed in
Appendix A.

8
 IS : 3677 - 1985

APPENDIX A
( Clause 6.1 )

SAMPLING OF UNBONDED ROCK AND SLAG WOOL

A-1. SAMPLING
A-1.1 Lot — All the materials (bags for Type 1 and mats for Type 2)
produced under essentially the same conditions of manufacture and of
one type shall be grouped and each such group shall constitute a
separate lot.
NOTE — The purchaser and the supplier may mutually agree to term material
manufactured during a certain period as a lot. It is recommended that an 8-hour
production under essentially same conditions may be termed as a lot.

A-2. DETERMINATION OF LOT SIZE

A-2.1 Tests for the conformity to the requirements of the specification
shall be done on each lot separately. The material to be selected from a
lot shall be in accordance with Table 1.
TABLE 1 NUMBER OF BAGS/MATS TO BE SELECTED FOR SAMPLING
( Clause A-2.1 )
LOT SIZE ( N )



































Class No. Up to 201 to 301 to 501 to 801 to 1301
of IS 3677 200 300 500 800 1300 and
above
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
No. of slabs to be selected (n)
4.2 5 6 7 8 9 10
4.3 5 6 7 8 9 10
4.4 One for each density for all lot size
4.5 do
4.6 do
4.7 do
4.8 do
4.9 5 6 7 9 10
4.10 5 6 7 9 0
4.11.1 One for each density for all lot size
4.11.2 do
4.11.3 do
4.11.4 do
4.11.5 do
4.11.6 do
4.11.7 do
4.11.8 do
4.11.9 do
4.11.10 do
4.11.11 do

9
IS : 3677 - 1985
A-2.2 These bags/mats shall be selected at random from the lot and to
ensure the randomness of selection, random number tables* shall be
used. In case such a table is not available, the following procedure may
be adopted:
Starting from any bag/mat in the lot, count them as 1, 2, 3,......,up
to r and so on, where r is the integral part of N/n ( N being the lot
size and n being the number of bags/mats to be selected ). Every rth
bag/mat thus counted shall be withdrawn from the lot to give
samples for tests.
A-3. NUMBER OF TESTS
A-3.1 From each of the bags/mats selected according to A-2.2, test
specimens necessary for carrying out the various tests specified in this
standard shall be taken, care being exercised to exclude some amount
of wool from the top of the bag/mat.
A-3.2 Tests for the determination of all characteristics specified in this
standard shall be conducted on each of the test specimens drawn from
the bag/mat as obtained under A-3.1.
A-3.3 Criteria for Conformity — The lot shall be declared as con-
forming to the requirements of this specification if the different test
results obtained under A-3.2 meet the corresponding requirements
given in the standard individually.

*See IS : 4905-1968 Methods for random sampling.

10
Bureau of Indian Standards
BIS is a statutory institution established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 to promote
harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of
goods and attending to connected matters in the country.
Copyright
BIS has the copyright of all its publications. No part of these publications may be reproduced in any
form without the prior permission in writing of BIS. This does not preclude the free use, in the course
of implementing the standard, of necessary details, such as symbols and sizes, type or grade
designations. Enquiries relating to copyright be addressed to the Director (Publications), BIS.
Review of Indian Standards
Amendments are issued to standards as the need arises on the basis of comments. Standards are also
reviewed periodically; a standard along with amendments is reaffirmed when such review indicates
that no changes are needed; if the review indicates that changes are needed, it is taken up for
revision. Users of Indian Standards should ascertain that they are in possession of the latest
amendments or edition by referring to the latest issue of ‘BIS Catalogue’ and ‘Standards : Monthly
Additions’.
This Indian Standard has been developed by Technical Committee : CDC 37 and amended by
CHD 27

Amendments Issued Since Publication

Amend No. Date of Issue
Amd. No. 1 September 2000

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