ASTM D4442-15
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
Standard Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Moisture content is one of the most important variables affecting the properties of wood and wood-based 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-based 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 wood, veneer, and other wood-based 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 Method
Method B—Secondary Oven-Drying Method
Method C—Distillation (Secondary) Method
Method 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 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-
1
Based 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 U.S. 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 wood, veneer, and other wood-based
ucts
materials, including those that contain adhesives and chemical
D4933 Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and
additives. The test methods below describe primary (A) and
Wood-Based Materials
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 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer
Method D—Other Secondary Methods.
to Terminology D9.
1.2 The primary oven-drying method (Method A) is in-
3.1.2 moisture content—the amount of water contained in
tended as the sole primary method. It is structured for research
the wood, usually expressed as a percentage of the mass of the
purposes where the highest accuracy or degree of precision is
oven-dry wood (in accordance with Terminology D9).
needed.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The moisture content of wood or other
wood-based materials can be expressed either as a percentage
1.3 The secondary methods (B through D) are intended for
of oven-dry mass of the sample (oven-dry basis) or as a
special purposes or under circumstances where the primary
percentage of the original mass (wet basis). The methods
procedure is not desired or justified. In these procedures,
described in this standard refer to the oven-dry basis. Because
moisture content values cannot be reported with an accuracy
oven-dry mass is used, moisture content values may exceed
greater than integer percentage values. However, a greater
100 %. The term moisture content when used with wood or
level of accuracy may be reported if the appropriate primary
other wood-based materials can be misleading since they
procedures are used.
frequently contain varying amounts of volatile compounds
1.4 Distillation (secondary) method is intended for use with
(extractives that are evaporated when determining moisture
materials that have been chemically treated or impregnated
content). Definition of the moisture content of wood is further
such that the oven-drying procedures introduce greater error
complicated when determined by a thermal method because of
than desired in the results.
thermal degradation, which causes the final moisture-free mass
to decrease from small but continuous losses.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Moisture content is one of the most important variables
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
affecting the properties of wood and wood-based materials.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on
precise values of moisture content consistent with the needs of
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
Test Methods and Properties.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015. Published August 2015. Originally
2
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4442 – 07. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D4442-15. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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
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D4442 − 15
the user. It also provides means of assessing variability under 5.3.1.1 are used. Equilibration is not required, although
contributedbytheovenorspecimenhygroscopicity,orboth.In it is preferable that the materi
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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 − 07 D4442 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-
1
BaseWood-Based 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 U.S. 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-basewood-
based 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 Method
Method B—Secondary Oven-Drying Method
Method C—Distillation (Secondary) Method
Method 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
D4933 Guide for Moisture Conditioning of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, refer to Terminology D9.
3.1.2 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).
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental Test Methods
and Properties.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2007June 1, 2015. Published December 2007August 2015. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20032007
as D4442 – 92 (2003).D4442 – 07. DOI: 10.1520/D4442-07.10.1520/D4442-15.
These test methods replace, in part, Test Methods D2016, for Moisture Content of Wood, discontinued 1989.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3.1.2.1 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 the original mass (wet basis). The methods described in this standard refer
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D4442 − 15
to the oven-dry basis. Because oven-dry mass is used, moisture content values may exceed 100 %. The term moisture content when
used with wood or other wood-based materials can be misleading since untreated wood they frequently containscontain varying
amounts of volatile compounds (extractives whichthat 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.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Moisture content is one of the most important variables affecting the properties of wood and wood-basewood-based
materials. The procedures in these test
...
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