ASTM D2395-07a

Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Wood and Wood-Based Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The specific gravity of wood gives an excellent measure of the amount of wood substance present in a sample. Thus, it may serve as a valuable indicator of the amount of wood pulp that could be produced, the workability of the material, or the strength characteristics of a specimen or a species. It should be recognized that specific gravity varies between trees, within a tree, and between species. Since the specific gravity of wood substance is practically constant for all species (approximately 1.53), it is apparent that individual specific gravity values are indicative of the amount of wood substance present. It affords a rapid and valuable method for selection of wood for specific uses.
It may be desirable to know the specific gravity of a living tree, a structural member already in place, a log cross section, a segment of a research element, or the earlywood or latewood layer. The specimen thus may be large or small, regular or irregular, and at a variety of moisture contents. These test methods give procedures that include all of these variables and provides for calculation of specific gravity values to degrees of accuracy generally needed.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the specific gravity of wood and wood-based materials to generally desired degrees of accuracy and for specimens of different sizes, shapes, and moisture content conditions. The method title is indicative of the procedures used or the specific area of use.
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: 30-Jun-2007
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• ICS: 79.060.01 - Wood-based panels in general
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood
• Drafting Committee: D07.01 - Fundamental Test Methods and Properties

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2395-07 - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM D2395-07ae1 - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7966/D7966M-16(2023) - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Creep of Adhesives in Static Shear by Compression Loading (Wood-to-Wood)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E2126-19 - Standard Test Methods for Cyclic (Reversed) Load Test for Shear Resistance of Vertical Elements of the Lateral Force Resisting Systems for Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7672-19 - Standard Specification for Evaluating Structural Capacities of Rim Board Products and Assemblies
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6643-01(2023) - Standard Test Method for Testing Wood-Base Panel Corner Impact Resistance
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3499-19 - Standard Test Method for Toughness of Wood Structural Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D2719-19 - Standard Test Methods for Wood Structural Panels in Shear Through-the-Thickness
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D9-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D143-22 - Standard Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D3500-20 - Standard Test Methods for Wood Structural Panels in Tension
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D1037-12(2020) - Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Properties of Wood-Base Fiber and Particle Panel Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E72-22 - Standard Test Methods of Conducting Strength Tests of Panels for Building Construction
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E1591-20 - Standard Guide for Obtaining Data for Fire Growth Models
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D5764-23a - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Dowel-Bearing Strength of Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007

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: D 2395 – 07a
Standard Test Methods for
1
Specific Gravity of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2395; 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 (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 3.1.1 green volume, n—the solid wood volume before any
shrinkage occurs due to drying to moisture content below the
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
fiber saturation point (about 30 %).
specificgravityofwoodandwood-basedmaterialstogenerally
3.1.2 moisture content, n—in this standard, the amount of
desired degrees of accuracy and for specimens of different
watercontainedinwood,expressedasapercentageofthemass
sizes, shapes, and moisture content conditions. The method
of oven-dry wood.
title is indicative of the procedures used or the specific area of
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In general, the amount of water in
use.
wood can be expressed on two different bases: as a percentage
Section
ofthemassofoven-drywood,orapercentageofthetotalmass
MethodA—VolumebyMeasurement 7
MethodB—VolumebyWaterImmersion 8
of wood and water. To avoid misunderstandings, it must be
MethodC—FlotationTube 9
clear which basis is being used. In the forest industry and the
MethodD—ForstnerBit 10
wood products industry, the moisture content is usually ex-
MethodE—IncrementCore 11
MethodF—Chips 12
pressed as a percentage of the mass of oven-dry wood.
3.1.3 specific gravity, n—in this standard, the ratio of the
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
oven-dry mass of a specimen to the mass of a volume of water
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
equal to the volume of the specimen at a specified moisture
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
content.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.3.1 Discussion—As both the mass and volume of wood
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
vary with the amount of moisture contained in the wood,
2. Referenced Documents
specific gravity as applied to wood is an indefinite quantity
2
unless the conditions under which it is determined are clearly
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specified. The specific gravity of wood is based on the
D 9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod-
oven-dry mass, but the volume may be that in the oven-dry,
ucts
partially dry, or green condition. For further discussion, see
D 2555 Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Val-
Appendix X2.
ues
3.1.3.2 specific gravity at X % moisture content, n—specific
D 4442 TestMethodsforDirectMoistureContentMeasure-
gravity based on oven-dry mass of wood and its volume at a
ment of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
specified moisture content (X %) between the oven-dry condi-
D 4444 TestMethodsforUseandCalibrationofHand-Held
tion and the fiber saturation point (volume at 12 % moisture
Moisture Meters
content is frequently used).
E 1547 Terminology Relating to Industrial and Specialty
3.1.3.3 specific gravity, basic, n—specific gravity based on
Chemicals
oven-dry mass of wood and its green volume.
3. Terminology
3.1.3.4 specific gravity, oven-dry, or on oven-dry basis,
n—specific gravity based on oven-dry mass of wood and its
3.1
oven-dry volume.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on 4. Summary of Test Methods
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
4.1 The accuracy of the specific gravity value obtained on a
Test Methods and Properties.
representative specimen will depend upon the accuracy of the
Current edition approved July 1, 2007. Published July 2007. Originally approved
in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D 2395 – 07.
measurements made. If the specimens are carefully prepared
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and regular in shape, the volume determined by MethodAcan
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
be quite exact. The volume of irregularly shaped specimens
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. can best be determined by immersion in water and if due care
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D 2395 – 07a
is taken to prevent absorption of water, Method B will give specimen or to specimens of any moisture content. If the
results of great precision. Method C is an approximate method surfaces
...