ASTM D4442-92(2003)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Moisture content is one of the most important variables affecting the properties of wood and wood-base materials. The procedures in these test methods are structured to permit the full range of use from fundamental research to industrial processing. Method A is designed for obtaining the most precise values of moisture content consistent with the needs of the user. It also provides means of assessing variability contributed by the oven or specimen hygroscopicity, or both. In addition, criteria are described for defining the endpoint in oven-drying. Method A is the reference (primary) standard for determining moisture content of wood and wood-base materials. Methods B through D are secondary methods to permit relatively simple procedures of measuring moisture content, but with less precision than Method A. However, greater precision may be obtained with supporting data by using the appropriate procedures in Method A.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the moisture content (MC) of solid wood, veneer, and other wood-base materials, including those that contain adhesives and chemical additives. The test methods below describe primary (A) and secondary (B through D) procedures to measure moisture content: Method A-Primary Oven-Drying MethodMethod B-Secondary Oven-Drying MethodMethod C-Distillation (Secondary) MethodMethod D-Other Secondary Methods.
1.2 The primary oven-drying method (Method A) is intended as the sole primary method. It is structured for research purposes where the highest accuracy or degree of precision is needed.
1.3 The secondary methods (B through D) are intended for special purposes or under circumstances where the primary procedure is not desired or justified. In these procedures, moisture content values cannot be reported with an accuracy greater than integer percentage values. However, a greater level of accuracy may be reported if the appropriate primary procedures are used.
1.4 Distillation (secondary) method is intended for use with materials that have been chemically treated or impregnated such that the oven-drying procedures introduce greater error than desired in the results.
1.5 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.
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Designation:D4442–92(Reapproved 2003)
Standard Test Methods for
Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-
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Base Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4442; 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 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
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moisture content (MC) of solid wood, veneer, and other D9 Terminology Relating to Wood
wood-base materials, including those that contain adhesives D4933 Guide for Moisure Conditioning of Wood and
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and chemical additives. The test methods below describe Wood-Base Materials
primary (A) and secondary (B through D) procedures to
3. Terminology
measure moisture content:
3.1 Definition:
MethodA—Primary Oven-Drying Method
Method B—Secondary Oven-Drying Method
3.1.1 moisture content—the amount of water contained in
Method C—Distillation (Secondary) Method
the wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the mass of the
Method D—Other Secondary Methods.
oven-dry wood (in accordance with TerminologyD9).
1.2 The primary oven-drying method (Method A) is in-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The moisture content of wood or other
tended as the sole primary method. It is structured for research
wood-based materials can be expressed on either as a percent-
purposes where the highest accuracy or degree of precision is
age of oven-dry mass of the sample (oven-dry basis) or as a
needed.
percentage of initial mass (wet basis). The methods described
1.3 The secondary methods (B through D) are intended for
in this standard refer to the oven-dry basis. Because oven-dry
special purposes or under circumstances where the primary
mass is used, moisture content values may exceed 100%. The
procedure is not desired or justified. In these procedures,
term moisture content when used with wood-based materials
moisture content values cannot be reported with an accuracy
can be misleading since untreated wood frequently contains
greater than integer percentage values. However, a greater
varying amounts of volatile compounds (extractives which are
level of accuracy may be reported if the appropriate primary
evaporated when determining moisture content). Definition of
procedures are used.
the moisture content of wood is further complicated when
1.4 Distillation (secondary) method is intended for use with
determined by a thermal method because of thermal degrada-
materials that have been chemically treated or impregnated
tion, which causes the final moisture-free mass to decrease
such that the oven-drying procedures introduce greater error
from small but continuous losses.
than desired in the results.
4. Significance and Use
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.1 Moisture content is one of the most important variables
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
affecting the properties of wood and wood-base materials.The
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
procedures in these test methods are structured to permit the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
full range of use from fundamental research to industrial
processing. Method A is designed for obtaining the most
precise values of moisture content consistent with the needs of
the user. It also provides means of assessing variability
contributedbytheovenorspecimenhygroscopicity,orboth.In
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental addition, criteria are described for defining the endpoint in
Test Methods and Properties.
oven-drying. MethodAis the reference (primary) standard for
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1992. Published April 1992. Originally
published as D4442–84. Last previous edition D4442–84.
These test methods replace, in part, Test Methods D2016, for Moisture Content
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of Wood, discontinued 1989. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10.
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D4442–92 (2003)
determining moisture content of wood and wood-base materi- located at third-point positions with respect to height, width,
als. Methods B through D are secondary methods to permit and depth of the oven cavity. With this scheme four samples
relatively simple procedures of measuring moisture content, will be posit
...
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