Logo

ASTM D2395-17

Current Revision

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

$91.00

$91.00

$163.80

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00



Sub Total (1 Item(s))

$ 0.00

Estimated Shipping

$ 0.00

Total (Pre-Tax)

$ 0.00


Stay effortlessly up-to-date with the latest standard revisions. When new versions are released, they're automatically charged and delivered to you, ensuring seamless compliance.

...

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.


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 gravity values to degrees of precision generally needed.

5.4 In the wood-based composites industry, the product density or specific gravity also provides an important indicator of potential product attributes. For wood-based materials, the same test methods are used; however, the measurements typically combine the mass from the wood substance with any resin, wax, or other solid additives present in the material. These properties are not to be confused with equivalent specific gravity of structural composite lumber used to characterize its fastener-holding capacity determined in accordance with Specification D5456.

SDO ASTM: ASTM International
Document Number D2395
Publication Date Oct. 15, 2017
Language en - English
Page Count 13
Revision Level 17
Supercedes
Committee D07.01
Publish Date Document Id Type View
Oct. 15, 2017 D2395-17 Revision
May 1, 2014 D2395-14E01 Revision
May 1, 2014 D2395-14 Revision
July 1, 2007 D2395-07AE01 Revision
July 1, 2007 D2395-07A Revision
April 1, 2007 D2395-07 Revision
Oct. 1, 2006 D2395-06 Revision
April 10, 2002 D2395-02 Revision
Jan. 1, 1997 D2395-93R97E02 Revision
Aug. 1, 2022 D2395-17R22 Reaffirmation
April 10, 2002 D2395-93R97E01 Reaffirmation