BIS Update on Nickel-Iron Soft Magnetic Rods & Strips

BIS certification for nickel-iron soft magnetic rods and strips is compulsory in India. This involves acquiring an ISI mark to provide the quality and safety assurance of specific Indian Standards.

Currently, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is reviewing its metal standards that affect Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Rods (IS 12836) and Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strips (IS 12882). The Bureau may revise additional standards, such as IS 12881. An additional notification from the Bureau, dated 13 January 2025, deals with the revision of standards on forged steel rolls and other metallurgical materials. The revisions will improve the quality attributed to any product manufactured for the Indian market. It is a matter of people's trust in products of varied sectors.

What are the Standards for Nickel-Iron Soft Magnetic Rods and Strips?

• The amendments find their inception under sub-rule (1) of Rule 15 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, 2018. These amendments are essentially intended to update references and certification marking requirements so that the standards remain relevant and effective in guiding manufacturers. The implied amendments pertain to all standards containing the following criteria:
• IS 12836: 36-Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Rods (Specification)
• IS 12881: 36-Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strip (Specification)
• IS 12882: 48-Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strip (Specification)

Key Amendments of the Standards of Nickel-Iron Soft Magnetic Rods and Strips

Let’s go through these three standards one by one:

IS 12836: 36-Nickel-Iron soft magnetic rods-Specification)

1. References: The standards reference various other crucial standards. Certain methods set down regarding the chemical composition of steels, such as carbon and manganese content, or the method of the Vickers hardness test, must be followed according to their latest version to remain relevant.

2. Changes: Some clauses seem to be updated, such as the IS 1387 issued in its new edition in place of the first edition of 1967, and IS 1501 Part 1, which was revised from the edition of 1984 to the latest edition.

3. Certification marking: Those products that satisfy the standards may be granted the BIS certification in India. This signifies that the product has been certified according to the established Bureau of Indian Standards' criteria for quality and safety.

IS 12882:1990 48-Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strip (Specification)

1. References: IS 12882, Standard Specification for 48-Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strip; the references have also been updated in light of new editions of chemical analysis methods for steels. These methods include IS 228 Parts 1, 2, 5, and 9 for the determination of carbon, manganese, nickel, and sulphur, respectively. The general requirements for metallurgical materials have also been revised as per IS 1387.

2. Changes: In clause 3.1, the old reference to IS 1387 has been updated to the current one. Clause 8.1 updates the old versions of IS 1501 and substitutes them with the latest IS 1501 (Part 1)/ISO 6507-1: 2018.

3. Certification marking: A new clause 12.3 has been introduced that deals with BIS Certification Marking; now, these products qualify for certification under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act and may carry this Mark. This, in turn, affirms the assurance of quality for consumers, as well as for manufacturers.

IS 12881: 1989 – 36-Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strip (Specification)

1. References: This specification contains several references to important Indian Standards. These references include testing procedures and methods of chemical analysis.

• Methods of chemical analysis for steels and magnetic alloys, including determination of carbon, manganese, silicon, and nickel contents.
• Mechanical and magnetic property tests, including permeability and coercivity.
• Hardness tests, usually Vickers hardness, as in IS 1501 (Part 1).
• It is essential to comply with the latest editions of the referenced standards to ensure that testing, reporting, and verification of material performance are all correctly conducted.

2. Changes: IS 12881 has some changes, and it has reviewed and cross-referenced updated versions of some related standards, named below:
IS 1387 (General requirements for the supply of metallurgical materials) was updated from the 1967 version.

IS 1501 (Part 1) (Vickers hardness test) was revised from the 1984 version to now.
Updating through Clause changes

Updating through Clause changes provides consistency through updated technology and accurate testing, especially when related to magnetic properties and uniformity of test samples between batches.

3. Certification Mark:

Nickel Iron Soft Magnetic Strips that comply with the standards of IS 12881:1989 are able to be marked with the BIS Certificate.

The ISI mark (BIS certification mark) ensures to the purchaser and user that it meets strict quality, safety, and performance standard criteria.

For certification, certification is granted after evaluation/approval of :

• Raw material sub-conformance
• Manufacturing process conformance
• Physical properties conformance
• Magnetic properties conformance
• Testing protocol

Implementation Timeline

The new regulations will enter into force on January 10, 2025. From that day forward, everyone must follow the new regulations. However, the old regulations will still be okay to be followed until July 9, 2025. Having the extra time for the manufacturers to learn about the differences and comply with the new standards is the key to a new realm of regulation.

The earlier in advance the self-regulating regime learns about the preparation for the new process and requirements, the lower the friction at full imposition of regulations. Ensuring safety for everybody and timely compliance can be ensured.

Why These Standards Matter

Here's why we need BIS Certification for the Nikel Metallurgical standards. Let's check below:

1. Product Safety Improved

Consistent magnetic properties help eliminate overheating, signal decline, or malfunction in equipment. Therefore, stricter limits on composition and heat treatment allow BIS to limit or stop failures that may cause electrical or thermal hazards.

2. Improved Reliability

New testing procedures ensure that materials respond consistently through long operating periods, especially if they are in mission-critical environments. Testing that captures modern hardness abrasion and localised magnetic evaluation ensures that quality control of the material reintroduces accuracy and repeatability back into the quality assurance process.

3. Built for Export

Many Indian manufacturers are producing and exporting magnetic components. If it is recognised that the BIS standard is closely aligned to international standards (e.g., IEC, ASTM), products will be easier to accept.

Conclusion

As the use of high-performance magnetic materials increases, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is consolidating its metallurgical standards, such as IS 12836, IS 12881, and IS 12882. This is evidence of the BIS’s vigilant attention to safety, quality, and technological advancement. The metallurgical standards not only facilitate industrial development but also provide third-party verification of product quality and performance for end users.

BIS will maintain its relevant prominence as industries continue to develop, change, and be an active force in standards that fuel excellence domestically and compete with the world in metallurgy. To know more updates and get the Best BIS Agent, connect with ERCS Private Limited.