Overview
ISO 13061-2:2014 specifies a standardized method for determining the density of wood for physical and mechanical tests on small clear wood specimens. It defines how to measure mass and volume under defined moisture conditions (oven-dry, partially dry, or green) and how to report density results for use in comparative testing, research and quality control. The standard is part of the ISO 13061 series on test methods for small clear wood specimens.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Density determination for small clear specimens and for specimens taken from other test pieces to relate density to other wood properties.
- Definitions: Oven-dry (absolutely dry) density, density at specified moisture content, basic (conventional) density, green volume and fibre saturation point.
- Specimen size and sampling: Test pieces normally at least 20 mm × 20 mm × 20 mm (cross-section and length), larger if growth rings exceed 4 mm; sampling and preparation per ISO 3129.
- Apparatus & precision: Dimension measurement to nearest 0.1 mm or ±0.3%; balance accuracy to ±0.2%; volume measurement to 0.01 cm³ or 0.3% precision where applicable.
- Procedures:
- Weigh specimens and measure dimensions to compute density at the test moisture content.
- Oven-dry procedure to determine oven-dry density (dry to constant mass, cool in a desiccator).
- Determine basic density using green volume and oven-dry mass (soaking permitted to reach green condition).
- Moisture content determination in accordance with ISO 13061-1.
- Calculations & reporting: Density expressed in kg/m³ (or g/cm³) to the nearest 5 kg/m³ (0.005 g/cm³). Methods for adjusting densities to a reference moisture content (commonly 12%) are provided. Statistical reporting (mean, standard deviation) and full test-report items are required.
Applications and users
- Who uses it: Timber testing laboratories, wood products manufacturers, forestry researchers, structural engineers, certification bodies, and quality assurance personnel.
- Practical uses:
- Characterizing material properties for strength and stiffness correlation.
- Quality control of lumber, engineered wood products and samples used in mechanical tests.
- Providing input data for structural design, material selection, and research linking density with shrinkage, strength and other mechanical properties.
- Standardizing density measurements so results are comparable across labs and studies.
Related standards
- ISO 3129 - Sampling and general requirements for small clear wood specimens
- ISO 13061-1 - Determination of moisture content for physical and mechanical tests
- ISO 24294 - Timber vocabulary
- Other parts of ISO 13061 (bending, tensile, compression tests) for combined physical and mechanical characterization
Keywords: ISO 13061-2, density of wood, test methods, small clear wood specimens, basic density, oven-dry density, moisture content, timber testing, ISO 3129.
Open preview (PDF)Physical and mechanical properties of wood — Test methods for small clear wood specimens — Part 2: Determination of density for physical and mechanical tests
