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3.2.3 moisture content, M [%]the amount of water con- referenced in various resources, including Wood Handbook.5
tained in a specimen, expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry Note that specific gravity varies within a tree, between trees,
mass. and between species. Since the specific gravity of wood cell
wall substance is practically constant for all species (approxi-
3.2.4 specific gravity (relative density), S, nthe ratio of the
mately 1.53), it is apparent that individual specific gravity
oven-dry mass of a specimen to the mass of a volume of water
value is indicative of the amount of wood cell wall substance
equal to the volume of the specimen at a specified moisture
present. It affords a rapid and valuable method for selection of
content. wood for specific uses. In US and Canadian building codes, the
NOTE 4The volume may be that in the oven-dry, partially dry, or oven-dry specific gravity is correlated to various strength
green (fully swollen) condition. Further in this standard, the terms specific characteristics of wood products (e.g., compression perpen-
gravity and relative density are used interchangeably. For further dicular to grain, shear strength and fastener holding capacity).
discussion, see Appendix X3.
5.3 It is often desirable to know the density or specific
3.2.4.1 specific gravity at moisture content M, nspecific gravity of a living tree, a structural member already in place, a
gravity based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its log cross section, a segment of a research element, or the
volume at a specified moisture content between the oven-dry earlywood or latewood layer. Therefore, it is possible that
condition and the fiber saturation point. specimens will be large or small, regular or irregular in shape,
and at a variety of moisture contents. These test methods give
NOTE 5The volume at 12 % moisture content is frequently used.
procedures that include all of these variables and provides for
3.2.4.2 specific gravity, basic (or green), Sb, nspecific calculation of density and specific gravity values to degrees of
gravity based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen and its green precision generally needed.
volume.
5.4 In the wood-based composites industry, the product
3.2.4.3 specific gravity, oven-dry or on oven-dry basis, S0, density or specific gravity also provides an important indicator
nspecific gravity based on the oven-dry mass of a specimen of potential product attributes. For wood-based materials, the
and its oven-dry volume. same test methods are used; however, the measurements
typically combine the mass from the wood substance with any
4. Summary of Test Methods resin, wax, or other solid additives present in the material.
These properties are not to be confused with equivalent specific
4.1 The precision of test results obtained on a representative gravity of structural composite lumber used to characterize its
specimen depends upon the precision of the measurements fastener-holding capacity determined in accordance with
made. Method A is used for precise measurements when the D5456.
specimens are carefully prepared and regular in shape. Method
B is used for precise measurements if the specimens are 6. Test Specimens
irregularly shaped and if due care is taken to prevent sorption 6.1 The test specimens shall be fully representative of the
of water. Test Method C is an approximate method that is material from which they are taken. The specimen size shall be
permitted for use as part of a production procedure or in other such that accurate measurements of mass and volume are easy
situations where less precision is acceptable. Test Methods D to attain. Where other standards specify the location and size of
and E are especially adapted to density or specific gravity test specimens, these requirements shall be carefully followed.
measurements of living trees or of in-place elements, and the The specimens shall be carefully cut from the larger element to
precision of the result is dependent upon the care used in ensure clean-cut surfaces. All loose fibers shall be carefully
obtaining the specimen. Test Method F is a specific procedure removed before the specimen is weighed and measured. The
for wood chips. specimen shall be free from knots, and if pitch or other
infiltrates are present, this shall be noted in the report or they
5. Significance and Use shall be extracted before taking measurements and weighing.
5.1 Density and specific gravity are cornerstone terms that 6.2 MeasurementsThe dimensions of test specimens shall
help define many useful properties of wood and wood-based be measured to a precision of 60.3 % or less, and the mass
products. These terms designate concepts that have distinct shall be determined to a precision of 60.2 % or less. Where
definitions though they relate to the same characteristic (mass drying of specimens is required, this shall be done in a forced
in a unit volume). Generally, in the US and Canada, density of convection oven that can be maintained at 103 6 2C
wood is measured in terms of specific gravity, or relative throughout the drying chamber for the time required to dry the
density. In the wood-based composites industry and interna- specimen to reach practical equilibrium (see Note 6). The oven
tionally the term density is often preferred. shall be vented to allow the evaporated moisture to escape.
NOTE 6For most specimens of wood, wood structural panels and
5.2 The basic density and basic specific gravity of wood are structural composite lumber 1 in. (25 mm) in length parallel to grain,
used in the forestry industry for calculating the oven-dry drying for 24 h in an oven having good air circulation and exchange will
weight of wood fiber contained in a known wood volume of be sufficient to reach practical equilibrium (no more than 0.2% mass
various wood species. Thus, it serves as an indicator of the
amount of wood pulp that could be produced, the workability 5
Forest Products Laboratory General Technical Report FPL-GTR-190, Wood
of the material or its shipping weight. This information is Handbook: Wood as Engineering Material, Forest Products Society, 2010.
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change over 8 h period of drying). For other wood-based materials, the meter is approximate, it should be recognized that the specific gravity
drying time should be established by test. For further discussion, see values obtained are approximate.
Appendix X3.
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FIG. 1 Diagrammatic Sketch of Apparatus Used to Measure Volume of Specimens by Test Method B (Mode II)
FIG. 2 Diagrammatic Sketch of Apparatus Used to Measure Volume of Specimens by Test Method B (Mode III)
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NOTE 11Estimates of density or specific gravity to the nearest 0.02 10.2 Procedures:
g/cm3 (0.02) can be readily made. 10.2.1 VolumeObtain the volume of specimen material by
9.2 Procedures: boring a hole into the element in question with a Forstner-type
9.2.1 Specimen PreparationThe specimen shall be slender bit. The diameter of hole and depth of boring shall be such that
and of uniform cross section, preferably approximately 1 in. an adequate sample is obtained without damage to the element.
(25 mm) on a side and 10 in. (25 cm) long. Accurately measure the diameter of the bit and depth of the
9.2.2 MeasurementPlace the specimen in a slender cylin- hole. Use these dimensions to calculate the specimen volume.
der filled with water and allow it to float in as nearly a vertical 10.2.2 Initial mass (mM)Carefully collect all of the chips
position as possible (Fig. 4). The cylinder diameter shall be obtained by boring and immediately weigh them to determine
slightly larger than the specimen cross section, and the speci- the initial mass.
men shall not touch the cylinder wall until immersed as far as 10.2.3 Oven-dry mass (m0)Oven-dry mass of the chips
it will go. With the specimen floating in an upright position, shall be determined by drying to practical equilibrium in
quickly note the water level on the specimen to avoid excessive accordance with 6.2 (see Note 13).
absorption of water by the specimen. NOTE 13Drying chips in a forced convection oven should be done
9.2.3 Moisture ContentDetermine the moisture content with care: as the chips dry, small particles may be blown away from dishes
(M) of the specimen in accordance with Test Methods D4442 and lost for the oven-dry mass measurements.
or D7438 to permit description of the basis on which the 10.2.4 Moisture ContentDetermine the moisture content
density or specific gravity is computed (see Note 12). (M) in accordance with Test Methods D4442 to permit descrip-
NOTE 12Precautions should be used to minimize the influence of the
water immersion on the measurement of the moisture content.
tion of the basis on which the density or specific gravity is
computed.
10. Test Method DForstner Bit
11. Test Method EIncrement Cores
10.1 Applicability:
10.1.1 This procedure is particularly adaptable for deter- 11.1 Applicability:
mining the density or specific gravity of logs, timbers, or any 11.1.1 This procedure is particularly adaptable for obtaining
in-place elements from which it would be difficult to saw a specimens to determine the density or specific gravity of
more conventional sample. The volume of the hole formed by standing trees but is also suitable for use on logs, poles, piles,
the lead screw of a Forstner bit is negligible; therefore, the or other structural elements. Since only a pencil-sized hole is
volume of the specimen can be calculated from the diameter of made in the member in question, it has no material effect on the
the bit and the depth of the hole. Care shall be taken to collect properties of the member and can be easily sealed.
all of the shavings. 11.2 Procedures:
11.2.1 VolumeObtain the specimen material by extracting
a core from the member by means of a standard increment
borer. Obtain the volume from the diameter of the cutting edge
of the increment borer and measure the length of the core
immediately after it is removed from the member. Handle the
core carefully to prevent damage or loss of any portion.
11.2.2 Initial mass (mM)When the moisture content of the
element is desired, weigh the increment core immediately after
the length is measured in order to obtain the initial mass. If the
immediate weighing is impractical, the core shall be protec-
tively wrapped to prevent loss of moisture.
11.2.3 Oven-dry mass (m0)Oven-dry mass of the speci-
men shall be determined by drying to practical equilibrium in
accordance with 6.2.
11.2.4 Moisture ContentWhen necessary, determine the
moisture content (M) in accordance with Test Methods D4442
to permit description of the basis on which the density or
specific gravity is computed (see Note 14).
NOTE 14For example, when determining the basic density or specific
gravity of a standing tree, the determination of the moisture content may
not always be necessary.
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12. Test Method FChips6 where:
12.1 Applicability: m0 = oven-dry mass,
12.1.1 This procedure is specifically designed to determine mM = initial mass, and
the basic density or basic specific gravity of wood chips, M = moisture content determined by moisture meter, per-
although the values at any other moisture content can also be cent (Test Methods D7438).
obtained. 13.2 Density () (see Appendix X3):
12.2 Procedures: 13.2.1 For Methods A, B, D, E, and F, density is calculated
using the following formulae:
12.2.1 SpecimenSelect a representative sample of chips
13.2.1.1 Density at moisture content M:
weighing 0.66 to 0.77 lb (approximately 300 to 350 g) for test.
Remove sawdust and undersized chips by shaking on a mM
M 5 (3)
three-mesh sieve. VM
12.2.2 Initial mass (mM)Obtain the initial mass of the 13.2.1.2 Oven-dry density:
chips in accordance with 6.2.
m0
12.2.3 Volume: 0 5 (4)
V0
12.2.3.1 Submerge the chips in water at room temperature
for at least 1 h to ensure that they are at their green volume and 13.2.1.3 Basic density:
will not absorb water during volume measurement. Then m0
remove the chips from the water, allow them to drain in a b 5
V max
(5)
wire-mesh basket, and place them in the centrifuge basket.
Centrifuge the chips from 800 to 1200 rpm for 1 to 4 min. where:
12.2.3.2 Place a container holding enough water to freely m0 = oven-dry mass of specimen as determined in 13.1,
submerge the chip holder on a balance. Submerge the empty VM = volume of specimen at moisture content M,
chip holder, except for its wire handle, in the water container. V0 = oven-dry volume of specimen, and
The chip holder must not touch the sides or bottom of the Vmax = green volume of specimen.
container. Tare the balance. Transfer the chips to the chip 13.2.2 For Method C, density of the specimen at moisture
holder and slowly lower them into the container of water, being content M is calculated using Eq 6, which yields the value
careful to remove any entrapped air. After reaching the numerically equal to the density in g/cm3:
equilibrium, the balance reading represents the volume of
Li
water equal to the volume of chips (V). M 5 (6)
L
12.2.4 Oven-dry mass (m0)Oven-dry mass of the chips
shall be determined by drying to practical equilibrium in where:
accordance with 6.2. Li = immersed length of specimen, and
L = total length of specimen.
13. Calculation 13.2.3 Conversion of ValuesIt is often desirable to convert
13.1 Moisture Content (M) or Oven-Dry Mass (m0): the density of wood obtained at one moisture content to that at
13.1.1 If Test Methods D4442 are used, the moisture content some other moisture content condition. Relations between the
is calculated as follows: density and moisture content are presented in Appendix X1.
mM 2 m0 13.3 Specific Gravity (S) (see Appendix X3):
M5 3 100 (1) 13.3.1 For Test Methods A, B, D, E, and F, specific gravity
m0
where: is calculated using the following formulae (see notation in
13.2):
M = moisture content of specimen at the time of test, 13.3.1.1 Specific gravity at moisture content M:
percent,
mM = initial mass, and Km M
SM 5 (7)
m0 = oven-dry mass. VM
13.1.2 If Test Methods D7438 are used, the moisture content 13.3.1.2 Oven-dry specific gravity:
is determined from moisture meter readings corrected for Km 0
temperature and species. In this case, the oven-dry mass is S0 5 (8)
V0
estimated as follows:
13.3.1.3 Basic specific gravity:
mM
m0 5 (2) Km 0
110.01M Sb 5 (9)
V max
6
Additional information on this test method may be obtained from
TAPPI 258 om-06, Basic Density and Moisture Content of Pulpwood. Available
from Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), 15 Technology
Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092, http://www.tappi.org.
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where: 13.4.3 Basic values:
K = constant determined by the units used to measure mass b
and volume: Sb 5 (13)
w
= 27.680 in.3/lb when mass is in lb and volume is in in.3,
= 453.59 cm3/lb when mass is in lb and volume is in cm3, where:
= 453 590 mm3/lb when mass is in lb and volume is in w = density of water (see Appendix X3), and
mm3, M = moisture content of specimen, percent.
= 0.061024 in.3/g when mass is in g and volume is in in.3, NOTE 16If the values of density are expressed in g/cm3, oven-dry
= 1.000 cm3/g when mass is in g and volume is in cm3, specific gravity and oven-dry density are numerically equal, as well as the
= 1000 mm3/g when mass is in g and volume is in mm3. values of basic specific gravity and basic density. However, the values of
13.3.2 For Test Method C, specific gravity of the specimen specific gravity and density at moisture content M are not equal. For
example, for a specimen with density 12 = 0.45 g/cm3, the corresponding
at moisture content M is calculated using the following formula specific gravity is S12 = 0.45/[1.00(1 + 0.0112)] = 0.40. Similarly, for
(see notation in 13.1, 13.2.2 and Note 15): a specimen with specific gravity S12 = 0.45, the corresponding density is
Li 12 = 0.45 [1.00(1 + 0.0112)] = 0.50 g/cm3.
SM 5 (10)
L ~ 1 1 0.01 M !
NOTE 15The term (1 + 0.01M) accounts for the mass of moisture in 14. Report
the specimen. For oven-dry specimens it equals unity.
14.1 ReportThe report shall identify the material as com-
13.3.3 Conversion of ValuesIt is often desirable to convert
pletely as possible, the method of selecting test specimens, the
the specific gravity of wood obtained at one moisture content
test procedure used, and the conditions under which the
to that at some other moisture content condition. Relations
volume and mass were determined.
between the specific gravity and moisture content are presented
in Appendix X2. 14.2 The basis for calculating the density or specific gravity
13.4 Relations between specific gravity and density shall be clearly referenced as shown in Section 13.
Relations between the values of specific gravity and density are
expressed as follows (see Note 16). 15. Precision and Bias
13.4.1 Values at moisture content M:
15.1 The precision and bias of these test methods have not
M been established.
SM 5 (11)
w ~ 1 1 0.01 M !
13.4.2 Oven-dry values: 16. Keywords
0 16.1 chips; Forstner bit; increment cores; moisture content;
S0 5 (12)
w volume by immersion; volume by measurement
APPENDIXES
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1.1.1 Density (M) at any moisture content (M) below the X1.1.3 Density (M) at any moisture content (M) below the
fiber-saturation point determined from the basic density (b) fiber-saturation point determined from the oven-dry density
and the oven-dry density (0): (0):
0 ~ 1 1 0.01 M !
M 5 (X1.3)
7
Beyond the fiber saturation point the density increases in linear proportion 0
110.009M
equivalent to the moisture uptake: M = b (1 + 0.01M). w
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X1.1.4 In general, density (2) at moisture content M2 can b = basic density, and
be determined from the density (1) at moisture content M1 w = density of water (see Appendix X3).
(both below the fiber saturation point) as follows:
1 @ 1 1 0.01 ~ M 2 2 M 1 ! # X1.2 The relationship between density and moisture content
2 5 (X1.4) presented in Eq X1.3 and X1.4 can be illustrated by the use of
1
110.009~ M 2 2 M 1 ! the chart in Fig. X1.1. The values of oven-dry density 0 are
2
read on the left-hand side scale. The values of density M at
X1.1.5 For softwood lumber, a simplified formula can be moisture content M are plotted on the diagonal lines. To
used to estimate the density (2) at moisture content M2 from illustrate the use of the chart, assume the oven-dry density 0
the density (1) at moisture content M1 (both below the fiber = 0.55 g/cm3 and it is desired to find the density for a 19%
saturation point) assuming that the density increases/decreases moisture condition (19). Enter the chart at the left-hand scale
0.5% for each 1.0% increase/decrease in moisture content up to at the value of 0 = 0.55 g/cm3 and move parallel to the
the fiber saturation point:8 diagonals up to an intersection with the moisture content
2 5 1 @ 1 1 0.005 ~ M 2 2 M 1 ! # (X1.5) vertical line at M = 19%, then move horizontally to the
where: left-hand scale to read 19 = 0.60 g/cm3. If the density at 15%
moisture content 15 = 0.45 g/cm3 and the density at 8%
M, M1, M2 = moisture content, percent, moisture content (0) is desired, enter the chart on the left-hand
1 and 2 = density values at moisture content values of
side at the value of 0.55 g/cm3 and move horizontally to the
M1 and M2, respectively,
right till an intersection with the moisture content vertical line
0 = oven-dry density,
at M = 15%, then move to the left parallel to the diagonal lines
down to the intersection with the moisture content vertical line
8
Dinwoodie, J.M. 2002. Timber: Its nature and behavior, Second edition. Taylor at M = 8% and then horizontally to the left-hand scale to read
& Francis. New York, NY. ISBN 0-419-2555008 8 = 0.43.
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X3. COMMENTARY
X3.1 In early editions of these test methods, there were no age of the oven-dry mass, or as a percentage of the total mass
definitions of density and specific gravity (relative density) and including water. To avoid misunderstandings, it must be clear
each method included its own calculation section, which made which basis is being used. In the forest industry and the wood
the calculation procedures prone to inconsistencies in interpre- products industry, the moisture content is always expressed as
tation between different users. To improve the structure of a percentage of the oven-dry mass.
these test methods and to minimize ambiguities in calculations,
the terminology related to specific gravity was introduced and X3.5 Calculation of Density (13.2)In SI units, density is
calculation procedures for all methods were unified in one most frequently expressed in kg/m3 or in g/cm3. In the latter
calculation section in the 2007a edition. In 2014, definitions of case, the values of oven-dry density and basic density are
density, relative density and corresponding calculation proce- numerically equal to the values of oven-dry specific gravity
dures were added and the title of the standard was revised and basic specific gravity, respectively. In Inch-Pound units,
accordingly. density is numerically different from specific gravity. To
convert the values of density from SI into Inch-Pound units, the
X3.2 Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) (3.2.1
following relations are used: (1 kg/m3 = 0.06243 lb/ft3 and 1
and 3.2.4)As both the mass and volume of wood substance
g/cm3 = 62.43 lb/ft3).
vary with the moisture content, density and specific gravity as
applied to wood and wood-based materials are indefinite X3.6 Calculation of Specific Gravity (13.3)In general,
quantities unless the conditions under which they are deter- specific gravity of a substance (Sx/y) is the ratio of mass of a
mined are clearly specified. In calculations of density at unit volume of a material at a stated temperature to the mass of
moisture content M, water contained in wood is included in the the same volume of gas-free distilled water at a stated
mass of the specimen, whereas specific gravity is always based temperature (in accordance with Test Method E1547) that can
on the oven-dry mass. Depending on the purpose of the be expressed as follows:
measurement, the volume may be determined in the green,
air-dry, or oven-dry condition. Density and specific gravity mx
S xy 5 (X3.1)
determined using oven-dry mass and green volume are referred V x y
to as basic density and basic specific gravity, respectively. where:
When expressed in g/cm3, basic density is numerically equal to
mx = mass of a unit volume of a material at temperature x,
basic specific gravity. These values are often used in silvicul-
Vx = unit volume of a material at temperature x, and
tural studies to characterize density of species. For example, y = density of water at temperature y.
basic specific gravity data for commercial species of woods
grown in the United States and Canada are given in Practice The reference density of gas-free distilled water at 4C
D2555. Adjustments of moisture meters for wood species are equals 1.000 g/cm3. In these test methods, the measurements of
commonly based on specific gravity determined on the oven- mass and volume are allowed to be performed at a room
dry mass and the volume at the 12 % moisture content. Specific temperature and pure water to be used in the experiments.
gravity data in Wood Handbook5 Tables 5-3, 5-4, and 5-5 are Given the variability of the specific gravity of wood and
reported on both the 12 % volume and green volume bases. wood-based materials, the influence of temperature variations
Design specifications for wood, such as contained in the between laboratories can be neglected for most practical
ANSI/AWC National Design Specification for Wood Construc- applications and considered as a part of the measurement
tion and CAN/CSA O86, are based on oven-dry mass and uncertainty in these test methods. However, if the purpose of
oven-dry volume. In CAN/CSA O86 and some other literature, the experiment requires higher precision, the reference tem-
the term relative density is preferred to specific gravity. perature at the time of test should be considered and distilled
water should be used.
X3.3 Green Volume (3.2.2)In practice, green volume and
swollen volume (obtained after water immersion) can differ. X3.6.1 Constant K (13.3.1)Equations in 13.3 are adjusted
Sometimes the measured green volume may be less than it using a constant K to facilitate the calculations of specific
should be because of the handling process. Therefore, it might gravity when different systems of units are used in the
be desirable to lightly re-wet the specimens to compensate for measurements: Inch-Pound, SI or a mixture of both. Specific
any end-grain drying. Some potential differences between the gravity does not have units, and the calculation results have the
two volumes may occur in some species having sufficient same value regardless of the units used in the measurements.
growth stresses (eucalypts, for example) so that swollen
volume is less than the original green volume; also, certain cell X3.7 Report (Section 14)Many other standards make ref-
wall materials (including low molecular weight wood sub- erences to these test methods for determining specific gravity.
stance) can be extracted, again reducing the volume. Since these test methods allow for determining specific gravity
at various moisture contents, it is important that the basis and
X3.4 Moisture Content (3.2.3)In general, the moisture method for calculating the values of specific gravity are always
content can be expressed on two different bases: as a percent- stated in the report.
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