ASTM D2395-14

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 products. 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 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 (e.g., 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 gravity values ...
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 method title is indicative of the procedures used or the specific area of use.    
Section  
Test Method A—Volume by Measurement  
7  
Test Method B—Volume by Water Immersion  
8  
Test Method C—Flotation Tube  
9  
Test Method D—Forstner Bit  
10  
Test Method E—Increment Core  
11  
Test Method F—Chips  
12
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: 30-Apr-2014
• 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 D2395-07ae1 - Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Replaced By: ASTM D2395-14e1 - Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D9-20 - Standard Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D3044-16(2023) - Standard Test Method for Shear Modulus of Wood-Based Structural Panels
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D6570-18a(2023)e1 - Standard Practice for Assigning Allowable Properties for Mechanically Graded Lumber
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D8023-23 - Standard Specification for Round Wood Dowels (Pegs) for Use in Wood Construction
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D6782-19 - Standard Test Methods for Standardization and Calibration of In-Line Dry Lumber Moisture Meters
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D1666-22 - Standard Test Methods for Conducting Machining Tests of Wood and Wood-Base Panel Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D6643-01(2023) - Standard Test Method for Testing Wood-Base Panel Corner Impact Resistance
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D3043-17 - Standard Test Methods for Structural Panels in Flexure
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D2719-19 - Standard Test Methods for Wood Structural Panels in Shear Through-the-Thickness
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D1185-98a(2017) - Standard Test Methods for Pallets and Related Structures Employed in Materials Handling and Shipping
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D3737-18e1 - Standard Practice for Establishing Allowable Properties for Structural Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Referred By: ASTM D7857-16 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Flexural Properties and Internal Bond Strength of Fire-Retarded Mat-Formed Wood Structural Composite Panels Exposed to Elevated Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• 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: 01-May-2014

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 −14
StandardTest 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 2.2 Other Standards:
3
CAN/CSAO86Engineering Design in Wood
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
ANSI/AWCNational Design Specification for Wood Con-
density and specific gravity (relative density) of wood and
4
struction
wood-based materials to generally desired degrees of accuracy
and for specimens of different sizes, shapes, and moisture
3. Terminology
content conditions. The method title is indicative of the
procedures used or the specific area of use.
3.1 Definitions:
Section
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
TestMethodA—VolumebyMeasurement 7
Terminology D9.
TestMethodB—VolumebyWaterImmersion 8
TestMethodC—FlotationTube 9
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
TestMethodD—ForstnerBit 10
3 3 3
3.2.1 density, ρ [kg/m , g/cm or lb/ft ],n—the mass of a
TestMethodE—IncrementCore 11
TestMethodF—Chips 12
unit volume of a specimen at specified moisture content.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
NOTE 1—The moisture content is specified for both mass and volume.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
For further discussion, see Appendix X3.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.1.1 density at moisture content M—density based on the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mass of a specimen including moisture and its volume at the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
same moisture content.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE2—Themassandvolumeat12%moisturecontentarefrequently
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: used.
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,
D4442Test Methods for Direct Moisture Content Measure-
ρ —density based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its
0
ment of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
oven-dry volume.
D5456Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite
Lumber Products 3.2.2 green volume, n—the volume of wood specimen
D7438Practice for Field Calibration and Application of
before any shrinkage occurs due to drying to moisture content
Hand-Held Moisture Meters below the fiber saturation point (about 30%).
E1547Terminology Relating to Industrial and Specialty
NOTE 3—Green volume may also be obtained by water soaking of
Chemicals
partially dry wood specimens until they reach fully swollen condition
abovethefibersaturationpoint(e.g.,see12.2.3.1).SeeAppendixX3.The
fiber saturation point of wood averages approximately 30% moisture
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on
content,butinindividualspeciesandindividualpiecesofwooditcanvary
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.01 on Fundamental
by several percentage points from that value.
Test Methods and Properties.
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published June 2014. Originally
ε1
approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D2395–07a . DOI:
10.1520/D2395-14.
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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D2395−14
5
3.2.3 moisture content, M [%]—the amount of water con- referenced in various resources, including Wood Handbook.
tainedinaspecimen,expressedasapercentageofitsoven-dry Note that specific gravity varies within a tree, between trees,
and between species. Since the specific gravity of wood cell
mass.
wall substance is practically constant for all species (approxi-
3.2.4 specific gravity (relative density), S, n—theratioofthe
mately 1.53), it is apparent that individual specific gravity
oven-dry mas
...

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 − 07a D2395 − 14
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—Editorial corrections were made throughout in October 2008.
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 method title is indicative of the procedures used or the specific area of use.
Section
Test Method A—Volume by Measurement 7
Test Method B—Volume by Water Immersion 8
Test Method C—Flotation Tube 9
Test Method D—Forstner Bit 10
Test Method E—Increment Core 11
Test Method F—Chips 12
Section
Test Method A—Volume by Measurement 7
Test Method B—Volume by Water Immersion 8
Test Method C—Flotation Tube 9
Test Method D—Forstner Bit 10
Test Method E—Increment Core 11
Test Method F—Chips 12
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.
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-Base Materials
D5456 Specification for Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products
D4444D7438 Test Method for Laboratory Standardization and CalibrationPractice for Field Calibration and Application of
Hand-Held Moisture Meters
E1547 Terminology Relating to Industrial and Specialty Chemicals
2.2 Other Standards:
3
CAN/CSA O86 Engineering Design in Wood
4
ANSI/AF&PAANSI/AWC National Design Specification for Wood Construction
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 July 1, 2007May 1, 2014. Published July 2007June 2014. Originally approved in 1965. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as
ε1
D2395 – 07.D2395 – 07a . DOI: 10.1520/D2395-07AE01.10.1520/D2395-14.
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’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from Canadian Standards Association (CSA), CSA Group, 5060 Spectrum Way, Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6, Canada, http://www.csa.ca.
4
Available from American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), 1111 19th St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036, http://www.afandpa.org.Wood Council (AWC)
222 Catoctin Circle, SE, Suite 201 Leesburg, VA 20175, www.awc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2395 − 14
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D9.
3.2 Definitions: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 solid volume of wood volumespecimen before any shrinkage occurs due to drying to moisture
conte
...