ASTM D4446-84(1995)e1

Standard Test Method for Anti-Swelling Effectiveness of Water-Repellent Formulations and Differential Swelling of Untreated Wood When Exposed to Liquid Water Environments

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is designed to measure the effectiveness of water-repellent preservative formulations for retarding dimensional changes in wood submerged in water. It can also be used to measure the differential swelling of untreated wood species when exposed to liquid water environments.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-1994
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: D07 - Wood

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D4446-02 - Standard Test Method for Anti-Swelling Effectiveness of Water-Repellent Formulations and Differential Swelling of Untreated Wood When Exposed to Liquid Water Environments
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Referred By: ASTM D6763-16(2022) - Standard Guide for Testing Exterior Wood Stains and Clear Water Repellents
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1995

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: D 4446 – 84 (Reapproved 1995)
Standard Test Method for
Anti-Swelling Effectiveness of Water-Repellent Formulations
and Differential Swelling of Untreated Wood When Exposed
to Liquid Water Environments
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4446; 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.
e NOTE—Section 9 was added editorially in July 1995.
1. Scope 3.3 This method is a basic screening test and thus provides
an initial determination of the anti-swelling efficiency of water
1.1 This test method is designed to measure the effective-
repellents. It is a qualitative method designed to provide a
ness of water-repellent preservative formulations for retard-ing
reproducible means of establishing: (1) the anti-swelling effi-
dimensional changes in wood submerged in water. It can also
ciency of water-repellent formulations, and (2) the relative
be used to measure the differential swelling of untreated wood
swelling of untreated wood species when both are exposed to
species when exposed to liquid water environments.
liquid water environments.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4. Apparatus
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.1 Conditioning Room or Chamber, having a controlled
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
temperature of 80 6 5°F (276 3°C), and a controlled relative
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
humidity of 65 6 5 %. This room is used to establish a uniform
2. Summary of Method moisture content in the test specimens. In all studies the
temperature and relative humidity selected by the investigator
2.1 Wood samples in the form of elongated slats that
must be stated and must remain constant throughout a given
represent the timber species or product/treatment combination
conditioning and test period.
to be evaluated are exposed in soak containers. The elongated
4.2 Balance, sensitive to at least 0.01 g.
slats are immersed in the water-repellent formulation, condi-
4.3 Treating Tank (Fig. 1).
tioned with appropriate weighing, then subjected to immersion
4.4 Swellometer, as illustrated in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and Fig. 4.
in distilled water for a prescribed period. The untreated slats
omit the immersion in the water-repellent formulation. The
5. Test Specimens
swelling resulting from immersion for the selected time period
5.1 Wood used for these tests must be straight-grained,
is determined by reading a dial gage calibrated in increments of
flat-sawn, clear, kiln-dried Ponderosa pine sapwood or other
0.001 in. (0.025 mm).
suitable species. Cut the parent boards in a manner to give
2.2 A water repellent efficiency of 60 % is required to pass
1 1
specimens ⁄4 in. (6 mm) in the longitudinal dimension, 1 ⁄2 in.
this test.
(38 mm) in the radial dimension, and 10 in. (254 mm) in the
3. Significance and Use tangential dimension. Cut with a sharp, fine-toothed saw to
obtain as smooth a surface as possible without sanding.
3.1 This test method is useful in determining the relative
Number each specimen for identification and reference.
anti-swelling efficiency of various water-repellent formulations
5.1.1 Selection of Ponderosa pine sapwood can be assured
when applied to wood. It is the initial means of estimating the
by the following quick chemical test: (1) prepare a solution of
ability of water-repellent treated wood to perform satisfactorily
5 g of benzidine in 25 g of hydrochloric acid and 970 g of
when exposed to liquid water environments.
water, and (2) prepare a second solution consisting of a 10 %
3.2 The swelling differences of untreated wood species
concentration of sodium nitrite in water. When the test is to be
when subjected to water immersion can also be determined by
made, pour equal amounts of the two solutions together and
this test method.
then apply to the wood surface by means of brushing or
dipping. The sapwood immediately shows a yellowish color,
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-7 on Wood
while the heartwood turns dark red-brown. The colors remain
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.06 on Treatments for Wood
distinct after drying.
Products.
Current edition approved Dec. 28, 1984. Published February 1985. 5.2 Determine the swelling of an untreated specimen from
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 4446
FIG. 1 Treating Tank—Five Samples Tested Simultaneously
FIG. 2 Single Test Swellometer Tank and One Sample
FIG. 3 Single Test Swellometer Tank—With One Sample In Place.
7. Test Procedure
each parent board before testing begins. Do this by equilibrat-
ing the specimen in accordance with 7.1 and then testing in 7.1 Cut two adjacent specimens, both either tangentially or
accordance with 7.5.1. The swelling shall not be less than
longitudinally, from each board. Specimen pairs from ten
0.325 in. (8.25 mm). See Table 1. different boards (20 test specimens in all) make a set (in
accordance with 7.3 and 7.4) for testing the water-repellency of
6. Formulations
one formulation at one retention level. Each additional reten-
6.1 Treat the test specimens with the ready-to-use formula- tion level requires ten additional samples. Store the test
tion as advocated by the manufacturer of the formulation. specimens with space between each one on a raised screen or
6.2 Test, experimental or control formulations may be added rack in the conditioning room or chamber until they reach
to the test as desired. constant weight as determined by a uniform weight over a 48-h
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