ASTM D2395-17

Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and Wood-Based Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Density and specific gravity are cornerstone terms that help define many useful properties of wood and wood-based materials. These terms designate concepts that have distinct definitions though they relate to the same characteristic (mass in a unit volume). Generally, in the US and Canada, density of wood is measured in terms of specific gravity, or relative density. In the wood-based composites industry and internationally the term density is often preferred.  
5.2 The basic density and basic specific gravity of wood are used in the forestry industry for calculating the oven-dry weight of wood fiber contained in a known wood volume of various wood species. Thus, it serves as an indicator of the amount of wood pulp that could be produced, the workability of the material or its shipping weight. This information is referenced in various resources, including Wood Handbook.5 Note that specific gravity varies within a tree, between trees, and between species. Since the specific gravity of wood cell wall substance is practically constant for all species (approximately 1.53), it is apparent that individual specific gravity value is indicative of the amount of wood cell wall substance present. It affords a rapid and valuable test method for selection of wood for specific uses. In US and Canadian building codes, the oven-dry specific gravity is correlated to various strength characteristics of wood products (for example, compression perpendicular to grain, shear strength and fastener holding capacity).  
5.3 It is often desirable to know the density or 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. Therefore, it is possible that specimens will be large or small, regular or irregular in shape, and at a variety of moisture contents. These test methods give procedures that include all of these variables and provides for calculation of density and specific gr...
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the density and specific gravity (relative density) of wood and wood-based materials to generally desired degrees of accuracy and for specimens of different sizes, shapes, and moisture content conditions. The test method title is indicative of the procedures used or the specific area of use.    
Section  
Test Method A—Volume by Measurement  
8  
Test Method B—Volume by Water Immersion  
9  
Test Method C—Flotation Tube  
10  
Test Method D—Forstner Bit  
11  
Test Method E—Increment Core  
12  
Test Method F—Chips  
13  
Test Method G—Full-Size Members  
14  
1.2 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.  
1.3 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Oct-2017
• 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

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:D2395 −17
Standard Test Methods for
Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and
1
Wood-Based Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2395; 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 (´) 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 D4442Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
ment of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
D5456Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite
density and specific gravity (relative density) of wood and
Lumber Products
wood-based materials to generally desired degrees of accuracy
D7438Practice for Field Calibration and Application of
and for specimens of different sizes, shapes, and moisture
Hand-Held Moisture Meters
content conditions. The test method title is indicative of the
E1547Terminology Relating to Industrial and Specialty
procedures used or the specific area of use.
Chemicals
Section
2.2 Other Standards:
TestMethodA—VolumebyMeasurement 8
3
TestMethodB—VolumebyWaterImmersion 9
CAN/CSAO86Engineering Design in Wood
TestMethodC—FlotationTube 10
ANSI/AWCNational Design Specification for Wood Con-
TestMethodD—ForstnerBit 11
4
struction
TestMethodE—IncrementCore 12
TestMethodF—Chips 13
Test Method G—Full-Size Members 14 3. Terminology
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Terminology D9.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3 3 3
3.2.1 density, ρ [kg/m , g/cm or lb/ft ],n—the mass of a
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
unit volume of a specimen at specified moisture content.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
NOTE 1—The moisture content is specified for both mass and volume.
For further discussion, see Appendix X3.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical 3.2.1.1 density at moisture content M—density based on the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. mass of a specimen including moisture and its volume at the
same moisture content.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE2—Themassandvolumeat12%moisturecontentarefrequently
2
used.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod-
3.2.1.2 density, basic or conventional, ρ —density based on
b
ucts
the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its green volume.
D2555PracticeforEstablishingClearWoodStrengthValues
3.2.1.3 density, oven-dry or in the absolute dry condition,
ρ —density based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its
0
oven-dry volume.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on
3.2.2 green volume, n—the volume of wood specimen
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
before any shrinkage occurs due to drying to moisture content
Test Methods and Properties.
below the fiber saturation point (about 30%).
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 2017. Published November 2017. Originally
ε1
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D2395–14 . DOI:
10.1520/D2395-17.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from CSAGroup, 5060 Spectrum Way, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6,
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Canada, http://www.csa.ca.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmericanWood Council (AWC) 222 Catoctin Circle, SE, Suite
the ASTM website. 201 Leesburg, VA 20175, www.awc.org.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
1

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D2395−17
NOTE 3—Green volume may also be obtained by water soaking of
5.2 The basic densityand basic specific gravityofwoodare
partially dry wood specimens until they reach fully swollen condition
used in the forestry industry for calculating the oven-dry
above the fiber saturation point (for example, see 13.2.3.1). The fiber
weight of wood fiber contained in a known wood volume of
saturation point of wood averages approximately 30% moisture content,
various wood species. Thus, it serv
...

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.
´1
Designation: D2395 − 14 D2395 − 17
Standard Test Methods for
Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and
1
Wood-Based Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2395; 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
ε NOTE—Corrections were made editorially in October 2015.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the density and specific gravity (relative density) of wood and wood-based
materials to generally desired degrees of accuracy and for specimens of different sizes, shapes, and moisture content conditions.
The test method title is indicative of the procedures used or the specific area of use.
Section
Test Method A—Volume by Measurement 7
Test Method A—Volume by Measurement 8
Test Method B—Volume by Water Immersion 8
Test Method B—Volume by Water Immersion 9
Test Method C—Flotation Tube 9
Test Method C—Flotation Tube 10
Test Method D—Forstner Bit 10
Test Method D—Forstner Bit 11
Test Method E—Increment Core 11
Test Method E—Increment Core 12
Test Method F—Chips 12
Test Method F—Chips 13
Test Method G—Full-Size Members 14
1.2 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
D2555 Practice for Establishing Clear Wood Strength Values
D4442 Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measurement of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
D5456 Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products
D7438 Practice for Field Calibration and Application of Hand-Held Moisture Meters
E1547 Terminology Relating to Industrial and Specialty Chemicals
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 May 1, 2014Oct. 15, 2017. Published June 2014November 2017. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
ε1
D2395 – 07aD2395 – 14 . DOI: 10.1520/D2395-14E01.10.1520/D2395-17.
2
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2395 − 17
2.2 Other Standards:
3
CAN/CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood
4
ANSI/AWC National Design Specification for Wood Construction
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D9.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3 3 3
3.2.1 density, ρ [kg/m , g/cm or lb/ft ],n—the mass of a unit volume of a specimen at specified moisture content.
NOTE 1—The moisture content is specified for both mass and volume. For further discussion, see Appendix X3.
3.2.1.1 density at moisture content M—density based on the mass of a specimen including moisture and its volume at the same
moisture content.
NOTE 2—The mass and volume at 12 % moisture content are frequently used.
3.2.1.2 density, basic or conventional, ρ —density based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its green volume.
b
3.2.1.3 density, oven-dry or in the absolute dry condition, ρ —density based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its
0
oven-dry volume.
3.2.2 green volume, n—the volume of wood specimen before any shrinkage occurs due to drying to moisture content below the
fiber saturation point (about 30 %).
NOTE 3—Green volu
...