ASTM D4442-07

Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials

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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Nov-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 D4442-92(2003) - Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Base Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Replaced By: ASTM D4442-15 - Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2015
• Referred By: ASTM E2779-10(2017) - Standard Test Method for Determining Particulate Matter Emissions from Pellet Heaters
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6570-18a(2023)e1 - Standard Practice for Assigning Allowable Properties for Mechanically Graded Lumber
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7119/D7119M-21 - Standard Guide for Sampling Spray Polyurethane Foam and Coating in Roofing
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4761-19 - Standard Test Methods for Mechanical Properties of Lumber and Wood-Based Structural Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D4933-16(2021) - Standard Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D7147-21 - Standard Specification for Testing and Establishing Allowable Loads of Joist Hangers
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• 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: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6254/D6254M-20 - Standard Specification for Wirebound Pallet-Type Wood Boxes
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6643-01(2023) - Standard Test Method for Testing Wood-Base Panel Corner Impact Resistance
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-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: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E2957-17 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Wildfire Penetration of Eaves, Soffits and Other Projections
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM E2707-22 - Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Penetration of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Direct Flame Impingement Exposure
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D2559-12a(2018) - Standard Specification for Adhesives for Bonded Structural Wood Products for Use Under Exterior Exposure Conditions
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-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: D4442 − 07
StandardTest Methods for
Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-
1
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. 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod-
moisture content (MC) of solid wood, veneer, and other
ucts
wood-base materials, including those that contain adhesives
D4933 Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and
and chemical additives. The test methods below describe
Wood-Based Materials
primary (A) and secondary (B through D) procedures to
measure moisture content:
3. Terminology
MethodA—Primary Oven-Drying Method
Method B—Secondary Oven-Drying Method 3.1 Definitions:
Method C—Distillation (Secondary) Method
3.1.1 moisture content—the amount of water contained in
Method D—Other Secondary Methods.
the wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the mass of the
1.2 The primary oven-drying method (Method A) is in-
oven-dry wood (in accordance with Terminology D9).
tended as the sole primary method. It is structured for research
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The moisture content of wood or other
purposes where the highest accuracy or degree of precision is
wood-based materials can be expressed on either as a percent-
needed.
age of oven-dry mass of the sample (oven-dry basis) or as a
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
materials that have been chemically treated or impregnated
degradation, which causes the final moisture-free mass to
such that the oven-drying procedures introduce greater error
decrease 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
4.1 Moisture content is one of the most important variables
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
affecting the properties of wood and wood-base materials. The
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
procedures in these test methods are structured to permit the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
full range of use from fundamental research to industrial
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on
contributedbytheovenorspecimenhygroscopicity,orboth.In
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
Test Methods and Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally
2
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4442 – 92 (2003). For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
DOI: 10.1520/D4442-07. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
These test methods replace, in part, Test Methods D2016, for Moisture Content Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
of Wood, discontinued 1989. the ASTM website.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4442 − 07
addition, criteria are described for defining the endpoint in 5.3.1.3 Number and Location of Specimens—Each test shall
oven-drying. MethodAis the reference (primary) standar
...

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:D4442–92(Reapproved 2003) Designation: D 4442 – 07
Standard Test Methods for
Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-
1
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
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:
MethodA—Primary Oven-Drying Method
Method B—Secondary Oven-Drying Method
Method C—Distillation (Secondary) Method
Method D—Other Secondary Methods.
1.2 The primary oven-drying method (MethodA) 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
procedureisnotdesiredorjustified.Intheseprocedures,moisturecontentvaluescannotbereportedwithanaccuracygreaterthan
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9Terminology Relating to Wood Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
D4933 Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definition:
3.1.1 moisture content—the amount of water contained in the wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the mass of the
oven-dry wood (in accordance with Terminology D9).
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The moisture content of wood or other wood-based materials can be expressed on either as a percentage
of oven-dry mass of the sample (oven-dry basis) or as a percentage of initial mass (wet basis). The methods described in this
standardrefertotheoven-drybasis.Becauseoven-drymassisused,moisturecontentvaluesmayexceed100%.Thetermmoisture
content when used with wood-based materials can be misleading since untreated wood frequently contains varying amounts of
volatile compounds (extractives which are evaporated when determining moisture content). Definition of the moisture content of
wood is further complicated when determined by a thermal method because of thermal degradation, which causes the final
moisture-free mass to decrease from small but continuous losses.
1
ThesetestmethodsareunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD07onWoodandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD07.01onFundamentalTestMethods
and Properties.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1992. Published April 1992. Originally published as D4442–84. Last previous edition D4442–84.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D4442–92(2003).
These test methods replace, in part, Test Methods D2016, for Moisture Content of Wood, discontinued 1989.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.10.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail] Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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, PA19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4442–07
4. Significance and Use
4.1 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
...