IS 460 is the Indian Standard series for test sieves. The 2020 fourth revision separates the subject into three parts covering wire-cloth sieves, perforated-plate sieves and examination of apertures. For procurement and laboratory use, stating only “IS sieve” is less precise than specifying the relevant part, aperture and test method.
IS 460 Part 1:2020 – Wire Cloth Test Sieves
Bureau of Indian Standards records list IS 460 Part 1:2020 as “Test Sieves – Specification Part 1 Wire Cloth Test Sieves (Fourth Revision)”. BIS published this revision on 21 December 2020.
IS 460 Part 2:2020 – Perforated Plate Test Sieves
IS 460 Part 2:2020 covers perforated-plate test sieves. BIS records the fourth revision with a publication date of 22 December 2020.
IS 460 Part 3:2020 – Examination of Apertures
IS 460 Part 3:2020 covers methods for examination of the apertures of test sieves. BIS records the fourth revision with a publication date of 21 December 2020.
Wire Cloth vs Perforated Plate Test Sieves
IS 460 separates these constructions because they are not interchangeable by default. Wire-cloth test sieves use woven metal wire to form the openings and are commonly selected where the governing method calls for woven-wire sieving media. Perforated-plate test sieves use a metal plate with manufactured openings and are used where that construction is specified, including many coarser sieving applications.
| Selection point | Wire cloth | Perforated plate |
|---|---|---|
| IS 460 reference | Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Sieving medium | Woven metal wire | Perforated metal plate |
| What to specify | Nominal aperture, wire-cloth requirement, frame diameter, material and applicable method | Nominal opening, perforated-plate requirement, frame diameter, material and applicable method |
| Selection rule | Use the construction named by the laboratory method or procurement specification; do not substitute only because the nominal opening appears similar. | |
For purchasing, provide the actual aperture and the applicable test method before choosing the sieving medium. If corrosion resistance, cleaning environment or frame construction is also a factor, see our Brass vs Stainless Steel Test Sieves guide. For a commercial product example, review the 8 Inch Brass Test Sieves page.
Why the correct part matters
| Requirement | Relevant IS 460 part |
|---|---|
| Wire-cloth test sieve specification | Part 1 |
| Perforated-plate test sieve specification | Part 2 |
| Methods for examining sieve apertures | Part 3 |
IS 460 and ISO sieve sizes
A BIS review document for another Indian Standard notes a switch to ISO sieve sizes as specified in IS 460 Part 1:2020. This is another reason to use the actual aperture and the current referenced method instead of relying on old mesh-number cross-reference tables.
What to specify when buying an IS 460 test sieve
- Applicable IS 460 part and any material-specific test method.
- Required nominal aperture.
- Frame diameter.
- Wire-cloth or perforated-plate construction as applicable.
- Frame and sieving-media material.
- Any inspection, verification or documentation requirement specified by the laboratory.
For unit conversions, use our Test Sieve Mesh Size & Micron Guide. For international references, see ASTM E11 vs ISO 3310.
Source note: The titles and publication dates above are based on official Bureau of Indian Standards records, including the BIS weekly standards bulletin listing the 2020 fourth revisions. See the official BIS bulletin. Always consult the current BIS publication and the material-specific test method for formal compliance.