All About New Version of IS 8183

Mineral wool insulation is a broad category of man-made vitrified fibers which is further classified into stone wool (sometimes also called rock wool) and glass wool (also called fiberglass) insulation. The revised standard outlines critical parameters for mineral wool insulation, including thermal conductivity, density tolerance, incombustibility, sulphur content, moisture content, and moisture absorption. Additionally, it specifies optional parameters such as resistance to microorganisms, odour emission, vibration and jolting resistance, heat resistance, alkalinity, and leachable chloride content. Together, these advancements are expected to drive the industry toward greater energy savings and environmental responsibility.

The major revisions are explained below :

Sr. No	Clause No.	Parameter	IS 8183 : 1993	IS 8183 : 2024	Benefits to Customer
1.	4.2	Bulk Density	Group 1 to Group 4: up to 160 kg/m³ for a maximum temperature of 750°C	Introduction of Group 5: ≥161 kg/m³ for a maximum hot face temperature of up to 800°C. NOTE — A product having lower density but capable of handling a higher service temperature may be considered in the group corresponding to the service temperature.	Includes a wider scope of high temperature applications, enables users to opt for good quality lightweight insulation solution capable of handling higher service temperatures
2.	4.2	Bulk Density Tolerance	Declared value must not exceed ±15%	Declared value must not exceed ±10%	Ensures more consistent thermal and acoustic performance during usage
3.	4.4	Shot Content	Max limit: 500 µ up to 5%, 250 µ up to 15%	New addition: Shot content of size 150 µ; Combined shot content (500 µ, 250 µ, and 150 µ) must not exceed 25%	Reduces non-functional material, allowing for lower-density materials with improved performance, leading to cost efficiency and better handling during installation.
4.	4.7	Thermal Conductivity	Specified for mean temperatures ranging from 50°C to 300°C	Extended range: Specified for mean temperatures ranging from 10°C to 427°C	Enhanced performance control across a wider range of temperatures
5.	4.8	Sulphur Content	Maximum limit: 0.6%	Maximum limit reduced to 0.2%	Significantly reduces the risk of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), enhancing the durability and longevity of insulated equipment.
6.	4.9.2	Dimensional Tolerance	Nominal thickness tolerance limit: -2 mm; excess in all dimensions permitted	Stricter nominal thickness tolerance limit: -2 mm to +6 mm	Ensures uniform material thickness, improving site efficiency, minimizing cladding overuse, and preventing uneven surfaces for better operational reliability.
7.	4.11	Linear Shrinkage	Not specified	New addition: Limited to 2%	Reduces risk of insulation warping or gaps in high temperature applications, reduces heat losses and improves energy efficiency
8.	4.12.7	Leachable Chloride Content	Recommended permissible limit: 0.01% (100 ppm)	Stricter limits: 20 ppm for general applications; 10 ppm for alloy steels or austenitic stainless-steel applications	Lowers the risk of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI), particularly in critical applications, ensuring better equipment integrity and longer service life.

Summary:
The 2024 revision of IS 8183 introduces significant changes to the standard, focusing on improved material performance and stringent quality parameters. Notable updates include the addition of a new bulk density group, reduced sulphur content limits, tighter dimensional tolerances, and expanded thermal conductivity specifications. These enhancements aim to ensure better energy efficiency and increased suitability for diverse industrial applications.