The purpose of this practice is to bring about uniformity of commercial moisture standards in all ASTM specifications relating to wool and its products.

This practice provides a recommended single value for a standardized commercial moisture content for wool and its products. This avoids difficulties encountered in calculating the amount of moisture-free fiber present in a given mass of wool in any one of the forms listed in 1.1.1 to 1.1.8 due to trade practices which recognize various commercial moisture allowance values used by certain segments of the trade. (See Test Method D 584, Section 3.5, Table D1909, Note E, and the Tables in Practice D 2720).

The recommended commercial moisture content should be used where it is desirable to avoid problems in determining moisture-free fiber content when the form of the wool is changed. For example: from scoured wool (12.0 % moisture content) to worsted yarn, dry spun (13.04 % moisture content).

1.1 This practice recommends that a single value be adopted for the commercial moisture content of wool in any of the following forms:

1.1.1 Scoured,

1.1.2 Carbonized and neutralized,

1.1.3 Noils, uncarbonized,

1.1.4 Top, oil or dry combed,

1.1.5 Yarn, worsted,

1.1.6 Yarn, woolen,

1.1.7 Yarn, hand knitting, or

1.1.8 Fabric.

1.2 LimitationsGrease wool, pulled wool, and wool with pH below 5.0 are excluded from this practice.

This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.