ISO 13061-16:2017

Physical and mechanical properties of wood - Test methods for small clear wood specimens - Part 16: Determination of volumetric swelling

ISO 13061-16:2017 specifies methods for the determination of volumetric swelling of wood.

Propriétés physiques et mécaniques du bois — Méthodes d'essais sur petites éprouvettes de bois sans défauts — Partie 16: Détermination du gonflement volumique

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 17-Jul-2017
• ICS: 79.040 - Wood, sawlogs and sawn timber
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 218 - Timber
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 218/WG 4 - Test methods
• Current Stage: 9599 - Withdrawal of International Standard
• Start Date: 25-Mar-2025
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Relations

• Revised: ISO 13061-16:2025 - Physical and mechanical properties of wood - Test methods for small clear wood specimens - Part 16: Determination of volumetric swelling
• Effective Date: 13-Jan-2024
• Revises: ISO 4860:1982 - Wood - Determination of volumetric swelling
• Effective Date: 29-Mar-2014
• Revised: ISO 3130:1975 - Wood - Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests
• Effective Date: 16-Jul-2011

Overview

ISO 13061-16:2017 specifies standardized test methods for the determination of volumetric swelling of wood using small clear wood specimens. The standard defines two methods - the stereometric method and the immersion method - to measure volume change between an oven‑dry state and a fully saturated state (above the fibre saturation point). Results are expressed as volumetric swelling (%) to a precision of 0.1%.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope: Methods for determining volumetric swelling of wood specimens (ISO 13061-16:2017).
• Principle: Measure volume at absolutely dry (oven‑dry) condition and after full water saturation; calculate percent change in volume (ΔV/Vinitial × 100).
• Two specified methods:
  • Stereometric method: Volume calculated from linear dimensions (radial × tangential × longitudinal). Requires rectangular prism specimens with minimum sizes of 20 mm (radial and tangential) and 5 mm (along the grain). Marked measurement points and ring inclination ≤ 10°.
  • Immersion method: Volume measured by water displacement (or mass of displaced water). Specimens may be any shape with a minimum volume of 4 cm³.
• Apparatus and tolerances:
  • Oven: forced‑convection at (103 ± 2) °C for drying to constant mass.
  • Measuring instruments: linear measurement accuracy 0.02 mm (stereometric).
  • Balance accuracy 0.001 g; volume resolution 0.01 cm³ for immersion.
• Conditioning and checks:
  • Dry to constant mass (control weighings until change ≤ 0.2%).
  • Soak in distilled water at (20 ± 2) °C until dimensional/volume stability (repeat checks every 3 days).
  • Discard specimens with checks or distortion.
• Reporting: Test report should reference ISO 13061-16, sampling details (ISO 3129), method used, measurement details, results (with statistical values), test date and testing organization.

Applications and Who Uses It

ISO 13061-16 is used by:

• Materials testing laboratories performing wood property characterization and quality control.
• Timber and wood‑products manufacturers assessing dimensional stability for flooring, furniture, joinery and engineered wood products.
• Researchers and R&D teams studying moisture‑related behavior, swelling anisotropy, and treatment effects.
• Standards bodies and certification agencies requiring reproducible test data for specification and compliance.

Practical uses include comparing species, evaluating treatments/coatings, validating models of hygromechanical behaviour, and ensuring product performance where moisture exposure affects dimensional stability.

Related Standards

• ISO 3129 - Sampling and preparation of small clear wood specimens (referenced).
• ISO 24294 - Timber vocabulary and relevant terms.

Keywords: ISO 13061-16:2017, volumetric swelling, wood test methods, small clear wood specimens, stereometric method, immersion method, oven‑dry, fibre saturation point.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 13061-16
First edition
2017-06
Physical and mechanical properties of
wood — Test methods for small clear
wood specimens —
Part 16:
Determination of volumetric swelling
Propriétés physiques et mécaniques du bois — Méthodes d’essais sur
petites éprouvettes de bois sans défauts —
Partie 16: Détermination du gonflement volumique
Reference number
©
ISO 2017
© ISO 2017, Published in Switzerland
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Ch. de Blandonnet 8 • CP 401
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.iso.org
ii © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Principle . 1
5 Stereometric method . 1
5.1 Apparatus . 1
5.2 Preparation of test pieces for stereometric method . 2
5.3 Procedure . 2
5.3.1 Determination of the dimensions of test pieces at absolutely dry (oven-
dry) condition . . 2
5.3.2 Determination of the dimensions of test pieces in fully saturated condition . 2
5.4 Calculation and expression of results. 3
6 Immersion method . 3
6.1 Apparatus . 3
6.2 Preparation of test pieces for immersion method . 3
6.3 Procedure . 3
6.3.1 Determination of the volume of test pieces at absolutely dry (oven-
dry) condition . . 3
6.3.2 Determination of the volume of test pieces in fully saturated condition . 4
6.4 Calculation and expression of results. 4
7 Test report . 4
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: w w w . i s o .org/ iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 218, Timber.
This first edition of ISO 13061-16 cancels and replaces ISO 4860:1982, which has been technically
revised. Changes have been made with regards to the sizes, moisture content of test pieces and
adjustment for moisture content.
A list of all parts in the ISO 13061 series can be found on the ISO website.
iv © ISO 2017 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 13061-16:2017(E)
Physical and mechanical properties of wood — Test
methods for small clear wood specimens —
Part 16:
Determination of volumetric swelling
1 Scope
This document specifies methods for the determination of volumetric swelling of wood.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 3129, Wood — Sampling methods and general requirements for physical and mechanical testing of
small clear wood specimens
ISO 24294, Timber — Round and sawn timber — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 24294 apply.
ISO and IEC ma
...