ASTM D4444-08

Standard Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Hand-held meters provide a rapid means of sampling MC of wood-based materials during and after processing to maintain quality assurance and compliance with standards. These measurements are influenced by actual MC, a number of other wood variables, environmental conditions, geometry of the measuring probe circuitry, and design of the meter. The maximum accuracy can only be obtained by an awareness of the effect of each parameter on the meter output and correction of readings as specified by this test method.
This test method employs controlled conditions and straight-grain, clear wood specimens to provide measurements that are reproducible in a laboratory. The controlled conditions prevent moisture and temperature gradients in the test specimen.
In laboratory calibration, the reference direct moisture measurements (for example, Test Methods D 4442) shall be made only in the area of direct measurement of the meter. This minimizes error associated with sampling of differing areas of measurement between this test method and that of the reference (Test Methods D 4442).
Most uses of hand-held moisture meters employ correlative (predictive) relationships between the meter reading and wood areas or volumes that exceed that of the direct meter measurement (for example, larger specimens, pieces of lumber, or lots). These correlative relationships are beyond the scope of this test method. (See Practice D 7438.)
SCOPE
1.1 This test method applies to the measurement of moisture content (MC) of solid wood products, including those containing additives (that is, chemicals or adhesives) for laboratory standardization and calibration of hand-held moisture meters
1.2 This test method makes no distinction between meter measurement technologies for standardization and calibration requirements. Provision is made for test specimen size to accommodate specific meters. Appendix X1 provides an explanatory discussion and history corresponding to the mandatory sections. Fundamental measurement technologies are described in Appendix X2 when available.
1.2.1 Meters employing differing technologies may not provide equivalent readings under the same conditions. When this test method has been applied, it is assumed that the referenced meter is acceptable unless otherwise specified. Meters shall be calibrated with respect to MC by direct measurement as determined by Test Methods D 4442.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2008
• ICS: 07.060 - Geology. Meteorology. Hydrology
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.01 - Fundamental Test Methods and Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4444-92(2003) - Standard Test Methods for Use and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D4444-13 - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2013
• Referred By: ASTM D6782-19 - Standard Test Methods for Standardization and Calibration of In-Line Dry Lumber Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E603-23 - Standard Guide for Room Fire Experiments
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6254/D6254M-20 - Standard Specification for Wirebound Pallet-Type Wood Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7438-20 - Standard Practice for Field Calibration and Application of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D1185-98a(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2632/E2632M-20 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Under-Deck Fire Test Response of Deck Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2957-17 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Wildfire Penetration of Eaves, Soffits and Other Projections
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6573/D6573M-13(2020) - Standard Specification for General Purpose Wirebound Shipping Boxes
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2579-23a - Standard Practice for Specimen Preparation and Mounting of Wood Products to Assess Surface Burning Characteristics
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D7446-09(2017) - Standard Specification for Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Adhesives for Laminating Oriented Strand Board (OSB) to Rigid Cellular Polystryene Thermal Insulation Core Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D1990-19 - Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for Visually-Graded Dimension Lumber from In-Grade Tests of Full-Size Specimens
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6874-22a - Standard Test Methods for Nondestructive Evaluation of the Stiffness of Wood and Wood-Based Materials Using Transverse Vibration or Stress Wave Propagation
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Referred By: ASTM C1789-14(2018) - Standard Test Method for Calibration of Hand-Held Moisture Meters on Gypsum Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D4444 − 08
StandardTest Method for
Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held
1
Moisture Meters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4444; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
1.1 Thistestmethodappliestothemeasurementofmoisture
D4933 Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and
content (MC) of solid wood products, including those contain-
Wood-Based Materials
ing additives (that is, chemicals or adhesives) for laboratory
D5536 Practice for Sampling ForestTrees for Determination
standardization and calibration of hand-held moisture meters
of Clear Wood Properties
1.2 This test method makes no distinction between meter
D7438 Practice for Field Calibration and Application of
measurement technologies for standardization and calibration
Hand-Held Moisture Meters
requirements. Provision is made for test specimen size to
2.2 Other ASTM Sources:
accommodate specific meters. Appendix X1 provides an ex-
ASTM Standards on Precision and Bias for Various
planatory discussion and history corresponding to the manda-
Applications, 1992
tory sections. Fundamental measurement technologies are
described in Appendix X2 when available.
3. Terminology
1.2.1 Meters employing differing technologies may not
provide equivalent readings under the same conditions. When
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
this test method has been applied, it is assumed that the
3.1.1 conductance meters—Conductance meters are those
referenced meter is acceptable unless otherwise specified.
that measure predominantly ionic conductance between points
Meters shall be calibrated with respect to MC by direct
of applied voltage, usually direct current. Direct-current con-
measurement as determined by Test Methods D4442.
ductance meters are commonly referred to as “resistance”
meters. Most commercial conductance meters are high-input
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
12 4 12
impedance (about 10 Ω), wide-range (10 to 10 Ω) ohm-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
meters.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.2 dielectric meters—Dielectric meters transmit electro-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
magnetic wave energy into the wood to detect the influence of
moisture in the wood on these waves as an estimate of MC.
2. Referenced Documents
Wave energy is most often in the radiofrequency range;
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
hand-held meters commonly are placed directly on the wood
D1990 Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for
surface.
Visually-Graded Dimension Lumber from In-Grade Tests
of Full-Size Specimens
4. Significance and Use
D2915 Practice for Sampling and Data-Analysis for Struc-
4.1 Hand-held meters provide a rapid means of sampling
tural Wood and Wood-Based Products
MC of wood-based materials during and after processing to
maintain quality assurance and compliance with standards.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood These measurements are influenced by actual MC, a number of
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental Test
other wood variables, environmental conditions, geometry of
Methods and Properties.
the measuring probe circuitry, and design of the meter. The
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally
maximum accuracy can only be obtained by an awareness of
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4444 – 92 (2003).
DOI: 10.1520/D4444-08.
the effect of each parameter on the meter output and correction
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of readings as specified by this test method.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.1.1 This test method employs controlled conditions and
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. straight-grain, clear wood specimens to provide measurements
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4444 − 08
that are reproducible in a laboratory. The controlled conditions 6.2.1 Area of Measurement—Calibration shall be based,
prevent moisture and temperature g
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D4444–92 (Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Methods for Use and Calibration of Hand-Held
Moisture MetersDesignation:D4444–08
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Standardization and Calibration of Hand-Held
1
Moisture Meters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4444; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods apply to the measurement of moisture content of solid wood, including veneer, and wood products
containing additives, that is, chemicals or adhesives (subject to conditions in 6.4 and 9.4). They also provide guidelines for meter
use and calibration by manufacturers and users as alternatives to ovendry measurements.
1.2Conductanceanddielectricmetersarenotnecessarilyequivalentintheirreadingsunderthesameconditions.Whenthesetest
methods are referenced, it is assumed that either type of meter is acceptable unless otherwise specified. Both types of meters are
tobecalibratedwithrespecttomoisturecontentonanoven-drymassbasisasdeterminedbyTestMethodsD4442Thistestmethod
applies to the measurement of moisture content (MC) of solid wood products, including those containing additives (that is,
chemicals or adhesives) for laboratory standardization and calibration of hand-held moisture meters
1.2 This test method makes no distinction between meter measurement technologies for standardization and calibration
requirements. Provision is made for test specimen size to accommodate specific meters. Appendix X1 provides an explanatory
discussion and history corresponding to the mandatory sections. Fundamental measurement technologies are described in
Appendix X2 when available.
1.2.1 Meters employing differing technologies may not provide equivalent readings under the same conditions. When this test
methodhasbeenapplied,itisassumedthatthereferencedmeterisacceptableunlessotherwisespecified.Metersshallbecalibrated
with respect to MC by direct measurement as determined by Test Methods D4442.
1.3The method title indicates the procedures and uses for each type of meter:
Section
Method A Conductance Meters 5to7
Method B Dielectric Meters 8to10
1.4
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1990 Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for Visually-Graded Dimension Lumber from In-Grade Tests of
Full-Size Specimens
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD07onWoodandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD07.01onFundamentalTestMethods
and Properties.
These test methods replace, in part, Test Methods D2016 (Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09).
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1992. Published April 1992. Originally published as D4444–84. Last previous edition D4444–84.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental Test Methods
and Properties.
Current edition approved April 1, 2008. Published May 2008. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4444–92(2003).
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail]ards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4444–08
D2915 Practice for Evaluating Allowable Properties for Grades of Structural Lumber
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
2
D4933Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and Wood-Base Materials Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and
Wood-Based Materials
D5536 Practice for Sampling Forest Trees for Determination of Clear Wood Properties
D7438 Practice for Field Calibration and Application of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
2.2 Oth
...