ASTM D1576-22

Standard Test Method for Moisture in Wool by Oven-Drying

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Test Method D2462 for the determination of the moisture in wool by distillation with toluene is the preferred method for testing wool for moisture for the acceptance testing of commercial shipments. If, however, the purchaser and the supplier agree, Test Method D1576 for the determination of the moisture in wool by oven drying may be used instead. Comparative tests as directed in 5.1.1, may be advisable.  
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in reported test results when using Test Method D1576 for acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of bias. As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and which are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two laboratories should be compared using Student's t-test for unpaired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of the known bias.  
5.2 This test method is a simple and convenient method for routine process control, in-plant evaluation, estimation of moisture content of a lot of wool, or any other purpose for which a high degree of reproducibility is not necessary (see Section 13).
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount of moisture present in ordinary commercial and industrial samples of wool in all forms except grease wool, using the oven-drying technique.  
1.2 Formulas for calculating the moisture content (as-received basis) and moisture regain (oven-dried basis) are given. It is always important to use the correct term which corresponds to the basis used in the calculation (see 12.2.1).  
Note 1: The determination of moisture content for textile materials in general is covered in Test Methods D2654, and an optimal method for determining the moisture in wool by distillation with toluene is covered in Test Method D2462. A method for sampling wool for the determination of moisture in wool is covered in Practice D2525. The oven-drying method has been adapted for cotton in Test Method D2495.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2022
• ICS: 59.060.10 - Natural fibres
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.13 - Wool and Felt

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D2495-07(2019) - Standard Test Method for Moisture in Cotton by Oven-Drying
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2019
• Refers: ASTM D3333-07(2018) - Standard Practice for Sampling Manufactured Staple Fibers, Sliver, or Tow for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM D4845-10(2018) - Standard Terminology Relating to Wool
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM D1060-10(2018) - Standard Practice for Core Sampling of Raw Wool in Packages for Determination of Percentage of Clean Wool Fiber Present
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM D123-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM D123-15b - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D123-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D123-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM D123-13a - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D123-13ae1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D123-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3333-07(2012) - Standard Practice for Sampling Manufactured Staple Fibers, Sliver, or Tow for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D2495-07(2012) - Standard Test Method for Moisture in Cotton by Oven-Drying
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D2258-99(2012) - Standard Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2012
• Refers: ASTM D123-12e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2012

Overview

ASTM D1576-22: Standard Test Method for Moisture in Wool by Oven-Drying outlines procedures for determining the moisture content in commercial and industrial wool samples, excluding grease wool, through oven-drying. Developed by ASTM International, this method serves as an alternative to the toluene distillation technique for certain situations, particularly when agreed upon by both purchasers and suppliers. The standard emphasizes its utility for routine process control, in-plant evaluations, and quick estimations where extreme reproducibility is not critical.

Key Topics

• Sample Preparation and Handling

  • Addresses the importance of using homogeneous samples and minimizing moisture gain or loss from sampling to testing.
  • Recommends proper conditioning of samples to achieve equilibrium with laboratory conditions.

• Oven-Drying Method

  • Specifies drying wool samples at 105 °C ± 2 °C until constant mass is achieved.
  • Provides equations for calculating moisture content (as-received basis) and moisture regain (oven-dried basis).

• Precision, Bias, and Dispute Resolution

  • Details procedures for comparative testing between laboratories in case of result discrepancies, including the use of statistical methods such as Student’s t-test.
  • Encourages agreement on acceptable probability levels before testing to ensure uniform interpretation of results.

• Reporting Requirements

  • Outlines essential data to be included in reports: sample description, test results, number of specimens, and whether values are moisture content or regain.

• Safety and Compliance

  • Advises users to establish and follow appropriate safety, health, and environmental protocols in compliance with local regulations.

Applications

The oven-drying test method for measuring moisture in wool is widely used in the textile industry for:

• Routine Quality Control
  Helping manufacturers monitor and control moisture content during processing or storage.

• In-Plant Evaluation

  • Assessing moisture content in various forms of wool, such as fibers, slivers, and tops, for operational efficiency.

• Commercial Transactions

  • Supporting buyer-supplier negotiations where precise moisture levels impact pricing or contractual terms, provided both parties agree to the method.

• Quick Moisture Estimations

  • Offering a convenient solution when a high level of statistical reproducibility is not required.

It is important to note this test is not intended for grease wool and is considered less precise than the toluene distillation method (ASTM D2462) recommended for official acceptance testing.

Related Standards

• ASTM D2462: Preferred test method for moisture in wool by distillation with toluene.
• ASTM D2654: Test methods for moisture in textiles, including generalized procedures for a variety of fiber types.
• ASTM D2495: Oven-drying method for determining moisture in cotton, adapted in a similar fashion to wool.
• ASTM D2525: Practice for sampling wool for moisture determination (withdrawn, but referenced for historical context).
• ASTM D4845: Terminology relating to wool, providing definitions relevant to this standard.

Practical Value

The oven-drying method described in ASTM D1576-22 enables textile processors, quality assurance teams, and commercial partners to accurately assess the moisture content in wool. Its simplicity and convenience make it ideal for regular monitoring and in-process control, although agreement on its use and cautious interpretation of results are vital for commercial shipments. The method provides clear reporting guidelines and recognizes the importance of laboratory-to-laboratory consistency through recommended dispute resolution protocols.

Keywords: ASTM D1576-22, moisture content in wool, oven-drying method, textile testing standards, wool quality control, ASTM standards, routine process control, moisture regain, wool industry.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D1576 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Moisture in Wool by Oven-Drying
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1576; 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.
1. Scope D2462 Test Method for Moisture in Wool by Distillation
With Toluene (Withdrawn 2022)
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the amount
D2495 Test Method for Moisture in Cotton by Oven-Drying
of moisture present in ordinary commercial and industrial
D2525 PracticeforSamplingWoolforMoisture(Withdrawn
samples of wool in all forms except grease wool, using the
2022)
oven-drying technique.
D2654 Test Methods for Moisture in Textiles
1.2 Formulas for calculating the moisture content (as-
D3333 Practice for Sampling Manufactured Staple Fibers,
received basis) and moisture regain (oven-dried basis) are
Sliver, or Tow for Testing
given. It is always important to use the correct term which
D4845 Terminology Relating to Wool
corresponds to the basis used in the calculation (see 12.2.1).
3. Terminology
NOTE 1—The determination of moisture content for textile materials in
general is covered in Test Methods D2654, and an optimal method for
3.1 For all terminology related to D13.13, Wool and Felt,
determining the moisture in wool by distillation with toluene is covered in
see Terminology D4845.
Test Method D2462.Amethod for sampling wool for the determination of
3.1.1 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
moisture in wool is covered in Practice D2525. The oven-drying method
grease wool; moisture content; moisture-free; moisture regain;
has been adapted for cotton in Test Method D2495.
oven-dried; pulled wool; raw wool; recycled wool; scoured
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
wool; virgin wool; wool; wool, as defined in the Wool Products
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Labeling Act of 1939.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- 3.2 FordefinitionsofallothertextiletermsseeTerminology
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
D123.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Summary of Test Method
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.1 A specimen of wool material is weighed and then dried
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
to constant mass at 105 °C 6 2 °C in an oven supplied with
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ambient air. The loss in mass is considered moisture and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
reported as either moisture content or moisture regain. Direc-
tions are given for the adjustment of the observed results for
2. Referenced Documents
any change in the moisture content after sampling and before
2.1 ASTM Standards:
drying.
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1060 PracticeforCoreSamplingofRawWoolinPackages 5. Significance and Use
for Determination of Percentage of Clean Wool Fiber
5.1 Test Method D2462 for the determination of the mois-
Present
tureinwoolbydistillationwithtolueneisthepreferredmethod
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
for testing wool for moisture for the acceptance testing of
D2258 Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
commercial shipments. If, however, the purchaser and the
supplieragree,TestMethodD1576forthedeterminationofthe
1 moisture in wool by oven drying may be used instead.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D13 on Textiles
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.13 on Wool and Felt. Comparative tests as directed in 5.1.1, may be advisable.
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2022.PublishedJuly2022.Originallyapproved
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in
in 1958. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D1576 – 13 which was
reported test results when using Test Method D1576 for
withdrawn in January 2022 and reinstated in June 2022. DOI: 10.1520/D1576-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
the ASTM website. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1576 − 22
acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and its container immediately after sampling. Subtract the tare
the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if mass of the container to obtain the net mass at time of
there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent sampling, M.
statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
7.3 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for ac-
bias.As a minimum, the two parties should take a group of test
ceptance testing, proceed as follows:
specimens which are as homogeneous as possible and which
7.3.1 For wool fiber, take laboratory samples as directed in
are from a lot of material of the type in question. The test
Practice D1060 for cored samples or Practice D3333 for hand
specimens should then be randomly assigned in equal numbers
samples.
to each laboratory for testing.The average results from the two
7.3.2 Forwoolsliverortop,fromeachshippingcontainerin
laboratories should be compared using Student’s t-test for
the lot sample, take one ball of top. From this ball of top, take
unpaireddataandanacceptableprobabilitylevelchosenbythe
approximately 2 m from the inside and 4 m from the outside of
two parties before testing is begun. If a bias is found, either its
the ball.
cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the
7.3.3 Take laboratory sampling units which weigh a mini-
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of
mum of 50 g. Follow the instructions in Practice D2525 for
the known bias.
reduction of the laboratory samples to specimens.
5.2 This test method is a simple and convenient method for
NOTE 3—Condition the laboratory samples as directed in Section 9
routine process control, in-plant evaluation, estimation of
before preparing the specimens from them.
moisture content of a lot of wool, or any other purpose for
which a high degree of reproducibility is not necessary (see
8. Number of Specimens
Section 13).
8.1 Take a number of specimens per laboratory sampling
unit that the user can expect at the 95 % probability level that
6. Apparatus
the test result for a laboratory sampling unit will be no more
6.1 Oven, ventilated and thermostatically controlled in the
than 0.5 percentage points above or below the true average for
temperature range of 105 °C 6 2 °C throughout the enclosure.
the laboratory sampling unit. Determine the number of speci-
The oven may be of either the forced draft or the convection
mens per laboratory sampling unit as follows:
type.
8.1.1 Reliable estimate of s—when there is a reliable esti-
mate of s based upon extensive past records in the user’s
6.2 Weighing Containers, of perforated metal if weighing is
laboratory as directed in the test method, calculate the required
to be performed in the drying enclosure; or containers that can
number of specimens per laboratory sampling unit using Eq 1:
be hermetically sealed (such as glass weighing bottles) if the
specimen is to be cooled in a desiccator before weighing in the
n 5 ts/E 2 (1)
~ !
ambient atmosphere.
where:
6.3 Sampling Containers, capable of being sealed. Mason
n = number of specimens per laboratory sampling unit
jars have been found to be satisfactory where the sample size
(rounded upward to a whole number),
is not too great. For larger samples, bags of various plastic
s = reliable estimate of the standard deviation of individual
materials may be suitable if the wall thickness is sufficient to
observations on similar materials in the user’s labora-
provide a good moisture vapor barrier (at least 4 mil (approxi-
tory under conditions of single operator precision,
mately 0.1 mm) for polyethylene, for example).
t = the value of Student’s t for two-sided limits, a 95 %
6.4 Balance, having a capacity adequate for weighing speci-
probabilitylevel,andthedegreesoffreedomassociated
mens and containers, and a sensitivity of 0.005 g. with the estimate of v, and
E = 0.5 percentage points, the allowable variation.
7. Sampling
8.1.2 No Reliable Estimate of s—When there is no reliable
7.1 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing, estimate of s for the user’s laboratory,
...