Standard Test Method for Determining Moisture in Raw and Spent Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to determine the moisture content of materials (raw or spent) that are to be extracted for tannin analysis. The value obtained for moisture content by this test method is used to calculate the results of the other analyses on this material to a moisture-free basis.  
5.2 The specimens are obtained from the material prepared for extraction in Practice D6405.  
5.3 Tanning materials contain moisture in varying amounts, depending both on the nature of the material and on the climatic conditions, therefore sampling must be carried out as quickly as is consistent with thoroughness in order to avoid changes in moisture content.  
5.4 Negative errors may occur in the moisture determination because under the conditions of this method there may be retention of moisture by certain components (for example, hydrated salts or water bound to organic structures) of the raw or spent material or because of oxidation of other components (for example, tannins) of the raw or spent material.  
5.5 Positive errors may occur in the moisture determination because under the conditions of this test method there may be volatilization of certain components of the raw or spent material other than water.  
5.6 It is known that other factors can also affect the quantity of volatile matter (moisture) released by the specimen. These factors include but are not limited to: particle size of the test specimen, quantity of test specimen, oven temperature, exposure time in the oven, shape of the specimen container, and type of oven (for example, gravity or mechanical convection) used.  
5.7 Because of the possibility of unknown errors in this test method it is essential that the method be followed exactly in order to obtain reproducible results both among specimens within a laboratory and for analyses between laboratories.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the moisture content in raw and spent materials that are extracted for tannin analysis. The moisture content of the sample is operationally defined to be equal to the weight loss experienced as a result of the evaporation which occurs in the drying oven.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
30-Nov-2020
Technical Committee
D31 - Leather
Drafting Committee
D31.01 - Vegetable Leather

Relations

Effective Date
01-Apr-2009
Effective Date
01-Apr-2004
Effective Date
10-May-1999

Overview

ASTM D6403-99(2020), Standard Test Method for Determining Moisture in Raw and Spent Materials, provides a reliable and widely-accepted procedure for the quantitative determination of moisture content in raw and spent plant-based materials extracted for tannin analysis. This standard, developed by ASTM International, is crucial for ensuring accurate calculations when analyzing tannins and related substances in plant materials, particularly in the leather, chemical, and botanical industries.

Moisture content, as defined by this standard, is determined by the weight loss of a specimen subjected to drying in a convection oven. The value obtained is used to recalculate analysis data to a moisture-free basis, enhancing the accuracy of further chemical characterization steps.

Key Topics

  • Moisture Determination: Establishes a clear process for drying and weighing samples to define moisture content as weight loss due to evaporation.
  • Sample Types: Applies to both raw materials (parts of plants intended for tannin extraction) and spent materials (industrial by-products containing residual tannins).
  • Sample Preparation: Specifies sampling procedures and equipment, referencing ASTM D6405 for sample extraction preparation.
  • Potential Errors: Recognizes factors leading to negative or positive errors, such as retention of bound moisture or volatilization of non-water components, and highlights the influence of sample handling and drying conditions.
  • Repeatability: Stresses the importance of following the method precisely to ensure reproducible results within and between laboratories.
  • Applicability: The test method is operational, relying on SI units and requiring users to follow appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices.

Applications

ASTM D6403-99(2020) is highly valuable across various industries where accurate moisture measurement in plant-derived materials is critical:

  • Leather Industry: Essential for determining moisture in tanning materials prior to tannin extraction, ensuring consistency in leather processing and product quality.
  • Botanical Research: Supports the analysis of plant samples and by-products, particularly for comparative or quantitative tannin studies.
  • Industrial Quality Control: Applied in facilities that process plant derivatives, this standard helps in maintaining material specifications and process control.
  • Environmental and Agricultural Laboratories: Used to standardize data reporting for moisture in raw plant materials or agricultural waste.

Precise determination of moisture content is a prerequisite for valid tannin analysis, making this standard key to laboratories and production facilities that analyze or utilize tannin-rich materials.

Related Standards

  • ASTM D6405 - Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and Spent Materials: Describes extraction preparation referenced throughout D6403.
  • Official Methods of the American Leather Chemists Association (ALCA), Method A6: The origin for this ASTM test method.
  • Other ASTM D31 Standards: Cover methods for analyzing plant products and leather processing materials.

Keywords: moisture determination, tannin analysis, plant materials, raw materials, spent materials, leather industry, ASTM D6403, volatile matter, vegetable tannin, sample drying, quality control.

For facilities focused on precise tannin analysis, adopting ASTM D6403-99(2020) ensures robust, standardized data to support product development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM D6403-99(2020) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Test Method for Determining Moisture in Raw and Spent Materials". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This test method is used to determine the moisture content of materials (raw or spent) that are to be extracted for tannin analysis. The value obtained for moisture content by this test method is used to calculate the results of the other analyses on this material to a moisture-free basis. 5.2 The specimens are obtained from the material prepared for extraction in Practice D6405. 5.3 Tanning materials contain moisture in varying amounts, depending both on the nature of the material and on the climatic conditions, therefore sampling must be carried out as quickly as is consistent with thoroughness in order to avoid changes in moisture content. 5.4 Negative errors may occur in the moisture determination because under the conditions of this method there may be retention of moisture by certain components (for example, hydrated salts or water bound to organic structures) of the raw or spent material or because of oxidation of other components (for example, tannins) of the raw or spent material. 5.5 Positive errors may occur in the moisture determination because under the conditions of this test method there may be volatilization of certain components of the raw or spent material other than water. 5.6 It is known that other factors can also affect the quantity of volatile matter (moisture) released by the specimen. These factors include but are not limited to: particle size of the test specimen, quantity of test specimen, oven temperature, exposure time in the oven, shape of the specimen container, and type of oven (for example, gravity or mechanical convection) used. 5.7 Because of the possibility of unknown errors in this test method it is essential that the method be followed exactly in order to obtain reproducible results both among specimens within a laboratory and for analyses between laboratories. SCOPE 1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the moisture content in raw and spent materials that are extracted for tannin analysis. The moisture content of the sample is operationally defined to be equal to the weight loss experienced as a result of the evaporation which occurs in the drying oven. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 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. 1.4 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.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 This test method is used to determine the moisture content of materials (raw or spent) that are to be extracted for tannin analysis. The value obtained for moisture content by this test method is used to calculate the results of the other analyses on this material to a moisture-free basis. 5.2 The specimens are obtained from the material prepared for extraction in Practice D6405. 5.3 Tanning materials contain moisture in varying amounts, depending both on the nature of the material and on the climatic conditions, therefore sampling must be carried out as quickly as is consistent with thoroughness in order to avoid changes in moisture content. 5.4 Negative errors may occur in the moisture determination because under the conditions of this method there may be retention of moisture by certain components (for example, hydrated salts or water bound to organic structures) of the raw or spent material or because of oxidation of other components (for example, tannins) of the raw or spent material. 5.5 Positive errors may occur in the moisture determination because under the conditions of this test method there may be volatilization of certain components of the raw or spent material other than water. 5.6 It is known that other factors can also affect the quantity of volatile matter (moisture) released by the specimen. These factors include but are not limited to: particle size of the test specimen, quantity of test specimen, oven temperature, exposure time in the oven, shape of the specimen container, and type of oven (for example, gravity or mechanical convection) used. 5.7 Because of the possibility of unknown errors in this test method it is essential that the method be followed exactly in order to obtain reproducible results both among specimens within a laboratory and for analyses between laboratories. SCOPE 1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the moisture content in raw and spent materials that are extracted for tannin analysis. The moisture content of the sample is operationally defined to be equal to the weight loss experienced as a result of the evaporation which occurs in the drying oven. 1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.3 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. 1.4 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.

ASTM D6403-99(2020) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 59.140.10 - Processes and auxiliary materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM D6403-99(2020) has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ASTM D6405-99(2009), ASTM D6405-99(2004), ASTM D6405-99. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ASTM D6403-99(2020) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


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: D6403 − 99 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Test Method for
Determining Moisture in Raw and Spent Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6403; 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.
1. Scope 3.1.1 raw material—any of the various parts of plants that
are used as a source of vegetable tannins.
1.1 This test method is intended for use in determining the
3.1.2 spent material—plant tissue by-products from indus-
moisture content in raw and spent materials that are extracted
for tannin analysis. The moisture content of the sample is trial processes which may contain significant quantities of
vegetable tannins.
operationallydefinedtobeequaltotheweightlossexperienced
as a result of the evaporation which occurs in the drying oven.
3.1.3 tannin—an astringent substance found in the various
parts of plants such as bark, wood, leaves, nuts, fruits, roots,
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
etc.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
3.1.4 vegetable tannins—mixtures of substances (natural
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the products) obtained from plant tissues by water extraction
which have the chemical and physical properties necessary to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- convert animal hides and skins into leather.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.1 A specimen of the material sample prepared for use in
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
PracticeD6405isdriedovernightinaforced-airoven.Theloss
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in weight represents the moisture in the specimen.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5. Significance and Use
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 This test method is used to determine the moisture
2. Referenced Documents content of materials (raw or spent) that are to be extracted for
2 tanninanalysis.Thevalueobtainedformoisturecontentbythis
2.1 ASTM Standards:
test method is used to calculate the results of the other analyses
D6405 Practice for Extraction of Tannins from Raw and
on this material to a moisture-free basis.
Spent Materials
5.2 The specimens are obtained from the material prepared
2.2 ALCA Methods
for extraction in Practice D6405.
A6 Moisture in Raw and Spent Materials
5.3 Tanning materials contain moisture in varying amounts,
3. Terminology
depending both on the nature of the material and on the
3.1 Definitions:
climatic conditions, therefore sampling must be carried out as
quickly as is consistent with thoroughness in order to avoid
changes in moisture content.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D31 on Leather
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.01 on Vegetable Leather. This 5.4 Negativeerrorsmayoccurinthemoisturedetermination
test method has been adapted from and is a replacement for Method A6 of the
because under the conditions of this method there may be
Official Methods of the American Leather Chemists Association.
retention of moisture by certain components (for example,
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally
hydrated salts or water bound to organic structures) of the raw
approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D6403 – 99 (2014).
DOI: 10.1520/D6403-99R20.
or spent material or because of oxidation of other components
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
(for example, tannins) of the raw or spent material.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5.5 Positive errors may occur in the moisture determination
the ASTM website.
because under the conditions of this test method there may be
Official Methods of the American Leather Chemists Association. Available
volatilization of certain components of the raw or spent
from the American Leather Chemists Association, University of Cincinnati, P.O.
Box 210014, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0014. material other than water.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6403 − 99 (2020)
5.6 It is known that other factors can also affect the quantity 8.2.2 Record the weight of the dish with the added material
of volatile matter (moisture) released by the specimen. These as W to the nearest 6 0.0001 g.
factors include but are not limited to: particle size of the test
NOTE 1—Since the moisture content of many materials varies greatly
specimen, quantity of test specimen, oven temperature, expo-
depending upon the humidity of the surrounding environment, it is
sure time in the oven, shape of the specimen container, and
essential that all weighings be made rapidly. It is further recommended
that no weighings of samples be carried out if the humidity of the
type of oven (for example, gravity or mechanical convection)
atmosphere at the balance varies by more than 6 20 % from the humidity
used.
conditions under which the sample was equilibrated.
5.7 Because of the possibility of unknown errors in this test
8.3 Oven Drying:
method it is essential that the method be followed exactly in
8.3.1 Place the tannin dish containing the test specimen on
order to obtain reproducible results both among specimens
a shelf in the drying oven at 100 6 2.0 °C for 17 61
...

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