ASTM D2654-22

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.
Designation: D2654 − 22
Standard Test Methods for
Moisture in Textiles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2654; 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. Scope The procedure is used to determine the moisture content or
pickup of a material in equilibrium conditions, usually the
1.1 These test methods cover measurement of moisture in
standard atmosphere for testing textiles.
textile materials as (1) moisture content or pick-up using
ambient air for oven-drying, (2) moisture content or pick-up
NOTE 2—The previous Procedure 3 for determining moisture using
using standard atmosphere for testing textiles for oven-drying, distillation with toluene has been dropped from this method because it is
essentially the same as Test Method D2462 which is the preferred method
(3) moisture content or pick-up at moisture equilibrium, and
for jute and grease wool in any circumstance. Test Method D2462 is the
(4) moisture regain. These test methods are applicable to all
preferred method for any material in which it is known, or suspected, that
fibers natural or man-made, and in all forms from fiber or
a significant quantity of nonaqueous and non-water miscible volatile
filament to finished fabric, subject to the limitations set forth in
matter is present.
1.1.1 through 1.1.4. Blends of fibers shall also be tested by
1.1.4 Procedure 4—This new technique is for determination
these methods.
of actual moisture regained by a material under specified
1.1.1 Procedure 1—This oven-drying technique, using am-
conditions after the material has been extracted by a suitable
bient air heated to 105 °C, shall be used in any situation in
procedure, if surface materials are present, and dried in vacuum
which a simple and convenient method for routine process
at a low temperature
control or when in-plant evaluation is needed to determine an
1.2 In Procedures 1, 2, and 3, alternative techniques are
approximation of the moisture content or pickup. It is not
described for weighing oven-dried specimens: in the oven
recommended for jute or grease wool, or for acceptance testing
while hot, and outside the oven at room temperature.
in commercial transactions.
1.1.2 Procedure 2—Oven-drying technique, using air from
1.3 The word water refers to the chemical compound H 0.
the standard atmosphere air for testing textiles that is heated to
The terms water and moisture are frequently used interchange-
105 °C and other refinements in technique, shall be used as a
ably in the literature and in the trade even when the “moisture”
basis for commercial transactions for all materials for which it
is known to contain other volatile materials. When the loss
is known that no significant quantity of non-aqueous volatile
during oven exposure is not known to be all water, it shall be
matter is present on, or in, the material to be tested.
considered a “volatiles loss” rather than a “moisture loss” for
NOTE 1—The air supply for Procedure 2 has been changed from technical accuracy.
desiccated air to the air from the standard atmosphere for testing textiles
1.4 Moisture calculations commonly involve the mass of a
because the latter is in common use and is prescribed in Test Method D494
specimen that has been dried by heating in an oven. If the air
for commercial mass of a shipment. By agreement, however, desiccated
air may be used.
in the oven contains moisture, the oven-dried specimen will
contain moisture (in equilibrium with that in the oven air) even
1.1.3 Procedure 3—This oven-drying technique uses speci-
when it no longer shows a significant change in mass.
mens in moisture-equilibrium under specified conditions and
Therefore, if a very precise measurement of the moisture
an oven with an air supply of specified temperature and relative
present is required and oven drying is used, the mass must be
humidity heated to 105 °C, and other refinements in technique.
exposed to desiccated air until it shows no further significant
change in mass.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on
NOTE 3—Other ASTM Standards related to the determination of
Textiles and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.51 on Conditioning,
moisture of textile materials are Test Methods D1576, D2495, and D2118.
Chemical and Thermal Properties.
Current edition approved March 1, 2022. Published April 2022. Originally
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
approved in 2005. Last previous edition approved in 1989 as D2654 – 89a which
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
was withdrawn February 2010 and reinstated in March 2022. DOI: 10.1520/
D2654-22 provided for information only and are not considered standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2654 − 22
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the water-vapor pressure and any further cooling beyond this point
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the will normally result in the condensation of moisture.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 hygrometer, n—any instrument for measuring the hu-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
midity of the atmosphere.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4 moisture, n—as used with textiles, water absorbed,
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
adsorbed or resorbed by a material. (See also water.)
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.5 moisture as-is, n—deprecated term. See moisture con-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
tent.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.6 moisture as-received, n—deprecated term. See mois-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ture content.
3.1.7 moisture content, n—that part of the total mass of a
2. Referenced Documents
material that is absorbed or adsorbed water, compared to the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
total mass. (Compare moisture pick-up and moisture regain.)
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
3.1.7.1 Discussion—Moisture content is usually expressed
D494 Test Method for Acetone Extraction of Phenolic
as a percentage and is calculated using the equation:
Molded or Laminated Products
C 5 100 ~A 2 D!⁄A
D584 Test Method for Wool Content of Raw Wool—
Laboratory Scale
where:
D629 Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles
C = moisture content, %,
D1441 Practice for Sampling Cotton Fibers for Testing
A = mass of material before drying, and
D1576 Test Method for Moisture in Wool by Oven-Drying
D = mass of the dried material.
D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Tex-
There is a relationship between moisture content and
tiles
moisture pick-up since both shall be calculated from the
D1909 Standard Tables of Commercial Moisture Regains
same data. The difference is in the bases used for calculating
and Commercial Allowances for Textile Fibers
the percentages, original versus dried material mass. The
D2118 Practice for Assigning a Standard Commercial Mois-
relationship between moisture content and moisture pick-up
ture Content for Wool and its Products
is shown by the equations:
D2258 Practice for Sampling Yarn for Testing
D2462 Test Method for Moisture in Wool by Distillation C 5 100 P⁄ 100 1 P
~ !
With Toluene
P 5 100C⁄~100 2 C!
D2494 Test Method for Commercial Mass of a Shipment of
where:
Yarn or Manufactured Staple Fiber or Tow
D2495 Test Method for Moisture in Cotton by Oven-Drying C = moisture content, %, and
P = moisture pick-up, %.
D2525 Practice for Sampling Wool for Moisture
D3333 Practice for Sampling Manufactured Staple Fibers,
3.1.8 moisture content, n—at moisture-equilibrium, the
Sliver, or Tow for Testing
moisture content of a material in equilibrium with air of
known, or specified, temperature and relative humidity.
3. Terminology
3.1.8.1 Discussion—A frequently prescribed condition for
3.1 Definitions:
determining moisture content at moisture-equilibrium is use of
3.1.1 commercial moisture regain, n—an arbitrary value
a standard atmosphere, for example, 21 °C 6 2 °C (70 °F 6
formally adopted as the regain to be used with the oven-dried
4 °F) and 65 6 5 % relative humidity, for textiles both in
mass when making certain calculations. (Compare moisture
establishing the equilibrium and air supply for the drying oven.
regain and standard moisture regain.)
3.1.9 moisture content (dry-basis), n—deprecated term. See
3.1.1.1 Discussion—The assigned commercial moisture re-
moisture pick-up.
gain value is usually higher than the experimental moisture
regain value for the same material.
3.1.10 moisture (dry-basis), n—deprecated term. See mois-
ture pick-up.
3.1.2 dew point, n—the temperature below which conden-
sation of water vapor begins to take place when the atmosphere
3.1.11 moisture equilibrium, n—the condition reached by a
is cooled.
material when it no longer takes up moisture from or gives up
moisture to the surrounding atmosphere. (Compare moisture-
3.1.2.1 Discussion—As air is cooled, the amount of water
free.)
vapor which it can hold decreases. If air is cooled sufficiently,
3.1.11.1 Discussion—The establishment of equilibrium be-
the saturation water-vapor pressure becomes equal to the actual
tween a material and the surrounding atmosphere is dependent
upon the exposure time, the difference in moisture levels
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
between the material and the atmosphere, and motion of the air
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
about the material. The level at which the moisture in the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. textile reaches equilibrium depends upon the side from which
D2654 − 22
equilibrium is approached. Because of this difference equilib- 3.1.15 moisture regain, n—the amount of water resorbed by
rium for textiles shall be approached from the dry (but not a dried material at specified equilibrium conditions of tempera-
moisture-free) side which is faster. Equilibrium with air in ture and humidity, compared to the mass of the dried material.
motion is considered to be achieved when successive weigh- (See standard moisture regain.) (Compare commercial mois-
ings at specified time intervals do not show a change in mass ture regain, moisture content, and moisture pick-up.)
greater than the tolerance established for the material. If there 3.1.15.1 Discussion—Moisture regain is usually expressed
is no established tolerance, consider 0.1 % of the mass after a as a percentage and is calculated using the equation:
2-h exposure as satisfactory.
R 5 100 B 2 D ⁄D
~ !
3.1.12 moisture-free, adj—in textiles, a descriptive term for
where:
a material that (1) has been exposed to a flow of desiccated air
R = moisture regain, %,
at a specified temperature until there is no further significant
B = mass of material in moisture-equilibrium at specified
change in mass, or (2) has been treated by a distillation process
conditions, and
using a suitable solvent. (Syn. zero moisture.) (Compare
D = mass of the material dried under specified conditions.
moisture equilibrium.)
Since most surface matter can be extracted without
3.1.12.1 Discussion—Moisture determinations frequently
appreciably affecting the textile material, or the textile
involve the change in mass of an oven-dried specimen. If the
material can be produced without surface matter (except
air in the oven contains moisture, the oven-dried specimen will
natural fibers), anything removed by drying or distillation
also contain some moisture even though it no longer shows a
after moisture-equilibrium is established is water. This is a
significant change in mass. This is due to the establishment of
key difference between moisture regain and moisture pick-
moisture equilibrium under the existing conditions. To ensure
up, which have been traditionally, but incorrectly, used
that the specimen is actually moisture free, it must be exposed
synonymously.
to desiccated air until it shows no further significant change in
mass. Although heating textiles in desiccated air to tempera-
3.1.16 moisture, wet-basis, n—deprecated term. See mois-
tures as high as 110 °C increases the rate of moisture loss
ture content.
without changing the final equilibrium mass of the moisture-
3.1.17 oven-dried, adj—a descriptive term for a material
free textile, heating also increases the possibility of removing
that has been heated under prescribed conditions of tempera-
other matter. The distillation process shall be substituted
ture and humidity until there is no further significant change in
provided the textile does not contain any distillable, water-
the mass of the material.
soluble matter.
3.1.17.1 Discussion—An oven-dried material retains a small
3.1.13 moisture pick-up, n—the mass of absorbed and ad-
amount of moisture which is dependent upon the temperature
sorbed water that is held by a material, compared to the mass
and relative humidity of the air supplied to the oven. An
of the dried material. (Compare moisture content and moisture
oven-dried material will only be moisture-free if the air
regain.)
supplied to the oven has been desiccated.
3.1.13.1 Discussion—Moisture pick-up is usually expressed
3.1.18 resorption, n—the process by which a material that
as a percentage based on the dried mass of the material and is
has given up another material by desorption takes up some
calculated using the equation:
more of the material given up.
P 5 100 ~A 2 D!⁄D
3.1.19 standard atmosphere for testing, n—in textiles, an
atmosphere for testing in which the air is maintained at a
where:
relative humidity of 65 6 5 % and at a temperature of 21 °C
P = moisture pick-up, %,
6 2 °C (70 °F 6 4 °F).
A = mass of material before drying, and
3.1.19.1 Discussion—Special conditions of humidity and
D = mass of the dried material.
temperature are sometimes prescribed for the testing of certain
(See equations in 3.1.7 for relationship between moisture
textiles for specific service predictions; resistance to water or
pick-up and moisture content.) Since moisture pick-up, like
biological action, etc. When international testing is involved, a
moisture content, involves the “as-is, where-is” (from a
standard temperature of 20 °C 6 2 °C, or, by agreement, 27 °C
location with unknown temperature and humidity condi-
6 2 °C is involved. A standard temperature of 20 °C 6 2 °C
tions) state of the material, it is generally unknown if the loss
shall be used.
in mass on drying is caused by the loss of any materials other
than water. 3.1.20 standard condition, n—for glass textiles, that condi-
tion reached by the material when in moisture equilibrium with
3.1.14 moisture pick-up, n—at moisture-equilibrium, the
a standard atmosphere having a relative humidity of 65 % at 21
moisture pick-up of a material in equilibrium with air of
°C (70 °F). A tolerance of 62 % is permitted in relative
known, or specified, temperature and relative humidity.
humidity and 62 °F (1 °C) in temperature.
3.1.14.1 Discussion—A frequently prescribed condition for
determining moisture content at moisture-equilibrium is use of 3.1.21 standard condition for physical testing, n—the con-
a standard atmosphere, for example, 21 °C 6 1 °C (70 °F 6 dition reached by a specimen or sample when, after being
2 °F) and 65 6 2 % relative humidity, for textiles, both in preconditioned in the standard atmosphere for preconditioning,
establishing the equilibrium and as air supply for the drying it has been brought to moisture equilibrium for testing in the
oven. standard atmosphere for testing.
D2654 − 22
3.1.22 standard moisture regain, n—the moisture regain of a 5.2 The measurement of moisture is important for several
material at equilibrium with the standard atmosphere for reasons, including the following:
testing textiles. (See moisture regain.) 5.2.1 Large quantities of fibers and manufactured textile
products containing some water are bought and sold on the
3.1.23 volatiles, n—materials readily vaporizable at rela-
basis of mass. The value of a particular commodity varies over
tively low temperatures.
a significant range with a variation in the amount of water it
3.1.23.1 Discussion—When the nature of the loss in mass
contains.
on heating is not known to be water only; the lost matter shall
5.2.2 Besides the effect of the moisture present when the
be called “volatiles” with subsequent modification of these
material is received, the moisture present at the time of testing
moisture content and pick-up terms.
and subsequent handling and processing can be quite impor-
3.1.24 water, n—the chemical compound, H 0. Syn. mois-
tant.
ture.
5.2.2.1 Some textile fibers, particularly cellulosic fibers and
3.1.25 zero-moisture, adj—See moisture-free, the preferred
wool, have physical properties that vary significantly with the
term.
amount of moisture present, such as tensile strength, crimp,
torsional rigidity, etc.
3.1.26 For definitions of other textile terms used in these test
5.2.2.2 Optimum conditions for processing, such as in
methods, refer to Terminology D123.
carding, include moisture as an important parameter.
5.2.2.3 Control of blends during processing is sometimes
4. Summary of Test Methods
critically dependent on the moisture present in the components.
4.1 Procedures 1 and 2, for moisture content and pick-up,
5.2.2.4 Production of textile products to meet specifications
are based on drying in ovens which have different air supplies.
for mass per unit area of fabric and the linear density of yarn
Procedure 3, for moisture-equilibrium content or pick-up, uses
depends on control of moisture.
air from the standard atmosphere for testing textiles for
5.2.2.5 Quantitative analysis of fiber mixtures requires in-
conditioning and drying. Procedure 4, for moisture regain, is
formation on moisture present. (See Test Methods D629.)
based on suitable removal of surface materials, if any, oven
5.3 Between Procedures 1 and 2, the choice for use is
drying, and resorption by conditioning. More detailed summa-
dependent primarily on the degree of accuracy required in the
ries are given in 7.1, 14.1, 22.1, and 29.1.
result. They are oven-drying procedures and have the virtue of
simplicity and economy, with Procedure 1 having the added
5. Significance and Use
feature of not requiring a special drying atmosphere for the
5.1 Test Methods D2654, Procedure 1, is used in the trade as
oven. Both are subject to certain limitations, however, that are
a basis for rejecting abnormally wet material, but it is not
avoided by toluene distillation (Note 2).
recommended for routine acceptance testing of commercial
5.3.1 Because Procedure 1 uses ambient air and Procedure 2
shipment. Procedure 2 is used by the trade and is recommended
uses air from the standard atmosphere for testing textiles, the
for acceptance testing of commercial shipments except as
mass of the oven-dry specimen is somewhat greater than it
stated in Note 1 . Procedure 3 is used to determine the moisture
would be if the air were without water. This is due to the
in a material in a given moisture-equilibrium situation and is
establishment of moisture-equilibrium between the moisture in
not used for acceptance testing of commercial shipments.
the air supply and the moisture in the specimen. The error is
Procedure 4 is for research and development and is recom-
usually slight, but in the case of wool dried at 105 °C with the
mended for determining the standard moisture regain of a
use of ambient air that is hot and humid, the residual moisture
material although there will usually be a bias between buyer
in the oven-dry specimen can be as high as 1 % or more (see
and producer data because the produce is usually able to obtain
Tables 1 and 2 of Test Method D584). When the temperature
material without surface material, mostly finishes.
and relative humidity of the ambient air are known, the amount
5.1.1 In case of a dispute arising from differences in
of moisture retained by a specimen of wool, cotton, silk,
reported test results when using Test Method D2654 for
viscose rayon, cuprammonium rayon, or acetate shall be
acceptance testing of commercial shipments, the purchaser and
estimated data. An additional source of potential error in
the supplier shall conduct comparative tests to determine if
oven-drying is the loss of volatile matter other than water when
there is a statistical bias between their laboratories. Competent
such material is present.
statistical assistance is recommended for the investigation of
5.4 It is sometimes possible, and preferable, when sampling
bias. As a minimum, the two parties shall take a group of test
a material for the determination of moisture to select sampling
specimens that are as homogeneous as possible and that are
units of a size which coincide with the size required by the
from a lot of material of the type in question. The test
method for a test specimen. In these instances, the mass shall
specimens shall then be randomly assigned in equal numbers to
be determined immediately, and if the mass of the oven-dry
each laboratory for testing. The average results from the two
material is to be determined, no intermediate steps are neces-
laboratories shall be compared using student’s l-test for un-
sary. However, in other instances, it will be necessary to
paired data and an acceptable probability level chosen by the
two parties before the testing is begun. If a bias is found, either
its cause must be found and corrected or the purchaser and the
Toner, R. K., Bowen, C. F., and Whitwell, J. C., “Equilibrium Moisture
supplier must agree to interpret future test results in the light of
Relations for Textile Fibers,” Textile Research Journal, Vol 17, No. I, January 1947,
the known bias. p 7.
D2654 − 22
perform some intermediate manipulation with the material, 0.1 % of the specimen mass. The balance may can be an
such as compositing or subsampling. For such instances to integral part of the drying oven.
circumvent the problem of moisture loss or gain after
8.4 Weighing Containers:
sampling, provisions are made in these methods to stabilize the
8.4.1 For weighing in oven-perforated metal baskets or
material in the working laboratory atmosphere, and equations
shallow pans, of a size to fit the particular oven in which they
are provided with correction terms to relate the measured
are used. For specimens containing particles that are easily
moisture to the amount which existed at the time when the
shaken out, use baskets made of or lined with wire screening
sample was taken.
fine enough to hold the particles, or
5.5 While moisture regain is not a frequently tested 8.4.2 For weighing outside oven-containers that can be
property, it has an importance, once established. Commercial sealed to prevent moisture changes.
moisture regains (see Table 1 in D1909) are values adopted for
8.5 Desiccator, large enough to hold one or more weighing
use in determining commercial mass and fiber blends which
containers (for the alternative in which the specimens are
meet government regulations. These values are usually slightly
weighed outside the oven).
higher than experimental standard moisture regain values or an
8.6 Desiccant, any suitable non-caustic desiccant shall be
average for a class which has a range.
used provided it is dried or replaced as required for effective
5.6 The measurement of moisture regain of a fiber is
desiccation. Anhydrous calcium sulfate is recommended.
affected by any surface material present, the procedure
(technique, solvent) used to remove the material, the dryness
9. Sampling
achieved and the atmosphere (temperature, humidity) in which
9.1 Lot Sample—Take a lot sample as directed in the
the dry material is conditioned.
applicable material specifications, or as agreed upon between
the parties interested in the test results. In the absence of any
6. Conditioning
specifications or agreement, take a lot sample as directed in
6.1 Samples and specimens for Procedures 1, 2, and 4 must
Practices D1441, D2258, D2525, and D3333, or Test Method
not be either conditioned or preconditioned for testing.
D2494, depending on the type of material being sampled.
NOTE 4—A realistic specification or other agreement between the
6.2 Samples for Procedure 3 are preconditioned as directed
purchaser and the supplier requires taking into account the variability
in Practice D1776/D1776M and conditioned at prescribed
between shipping containers, laboratory samples within shipping
conditions of temperature and humidity, or in the standard
containers, and specimens within a laboratory sample to provide a
atmosphere for testing textiles
sampling plan which has a meaningful producer’s risk, consumer’s risk,
acceptable quality level, and lot tolerance fraction defective at the level
specified for the property being tested.
PROCEDURE 1 – MOISTURE CONTENT AND
9.2 Laboratory Sample:
PICKUP USING OVEN WITH AMBIENT AIR
9.2.1 Take laboratory samples as directed in Practices
D1441, D2258, D3333, or Test Method D2494, depending on
7. Summary of Test Method
the type of material being tested (see Note 4). Laboratory
7.1 A specimen is collected and weighed to prevent mois-
samples must be taken quickly and sealed immediately to avoid
ture loss, dried in an oven supplied with ambient air heated to
changes in moisture prior to testing.
105 °C , until the loss in mass is minimal and reweighed. The
9.2.2 Because time delay and temperature exposure in
total mass lost is assumed to be moisture and is expressed
transit shall be factors, it is advisable to weigh the container
either as percent moisture content, or percent moisture pick-up.
without and with the material, recording the weights. These
The results are subject to s
...