C.15 Natural and manufacture timbers

Hardwood and Softwood, Working and Physical properties

What are the 2 types of natural wood?

Hardwood and softwood

What are some characteristics of softwood

• More porous cell structure than hardwood

• Cheaper

• Can absorb water and is more likely to rot

• Wider grain

• Available in less colours

• 25 years to mature

What are some characteristics of hardwood?

• Less porous and denser cell structure

• Closer grain

• More expensive

• Available in more colours

• Takes 80-120 years to mature

What type of tree does softwood come from?

• Coniferous trees

• They have needles and cones and are typically evergreen trees

What type of tree do hardwoods come from?

• Deciduous trees

• Broad leafed that drop their leaves in the winter

What are some examples of softwood?

• Larch

• Pine

• Spruce

What are some examples of hardwood?

• Ash

• Balsa

• Mahogany

• Oak

• Beech

What appearance does ash have?

Pale brown/cream

What appearance does beech have?

Dense/close grain with an attractive pink hue

What appearance does mahogany have?

Rich reddish brown

What appearance does oak have?

Light brown with an interesting and variable grain

What appearance does balsa have?

Pale cream/white. An open grained large unusually fast growing hardwood tree.

What are the characteristics of ash?

Flexible, tough and shock resistant, laminates well

What are the characteristics of beech?

Fine finish, tough and durable

What are the characteristics of mahogany?

Easily worked, durable and finishes well

What are the characteristics of oak?

Tough, hard and durable, high quality finish possible

What are the characteristics of balsa?

Very soft and spongey, very lightweight but can snap in thin sections

What are some example uses of Ash?

• Sports equipment

• Tool handles

What are some example uses of Beech?

• Children’s toys and models

• Furniture

• Veneers

What is a veneer?

Wood veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood (typically thinner than inch) bonded to a cheaper, stable core material like MDF, plywood, or particleboard. It is used to provide the aesthetic of high-quality wood furniture, cabinetry, and flooring at a lower cost and with higher stability against warping

What are some example uses of mahogany?

• High end furniture

• Joinery veneers

What are some example uses of Oak?

• Flooring

• Furniture

• Railway sleepers

• Veneers

What are some example uses of balsa?

• Prototyping and modelling (especially model aircraft)

What is the appearance of larch?

Pale to reddish brown with a contrasting grain

What is the appearance of pine?

Pale yellow to pale brown, attractive grain that darkens with age

What is the appearance of spruce?

White/cream with a fine even grain

What are the characteristics of larch?

Durable, tough, good water resistance, good surface finish and machines well

Has issues with loose knots

What are the characteristics of pine?

Lightweight, easy to work

Can split and be resinous near knots

What are the characteristics of spruce?

Easy to work, high stiffness to weight ratio.

Variable results when staining

What are the example uses of larch?

• Exterior cladding

• Flooring

• Machined mouldings

• Furniture

• Joinery

What are the example uses of pine?

• Interior construction (exterior too if treated)

• Cheaper furniture

• Decking

What are the example uses of spruce?

• Construction furniture

• Musical instruments

What are physical properties?

An inherent property of a material .

What are working properties?

Describe how a material responds to use in a certain environment

Absorbency (physical property)

The tendency to attract or take in an element, usually a liquid like water or moisture but could include light or heat

Density (physical property)

The mass of material per unit of volume

How compact a material is

Fusibility (physical property)

The ability of a material to be converted through heat into a liquid state and combined with another material (usually the same) before cooling as one material

Strength (Working property)

the ability of a material to withstand a force such as pressure, tension or shear. A material might possess one type of strength and not another

Hardness (Working property)

The ability to resist abrasive wear and indentation through impact. Very hard materials can become brittle and crack, snap or shatter

Toughness (Working property)

the ability to absorb energy through shock without fracturing

Malleability (Working property)

the ability to deform under compression without cracking, splitting or tearing

Ductility (Working property)

the ability to be stretched out or drawn in a thin strand without snapping

Elasticity (Working property)

the ability to return to its original shape after being compressed or stretched

What are manufactured boards?

Sheets of processed natural timber waste products or veneers combined with adhesives.

What are three manufactured boards?

• MDF (medium density fibreboard)

• Plywood

• Chipboard

What is the appearance of MDF?

Smooth dull, light brown finish available in many veneer options, edges can be hard to finish well

What is the appearance of Plywood?

Alternating layers of natural grain veneers with the outer material usually of a higher quality for aesthetics

What is the appearance of chipboard?

Pale grey/brown with no natural grain. Frequently covered with a laminate

What are the characteristics of MDF?

Rigid and stable, good value with a smooth easy to finish surface.

Very absorbant so not good in high humidity or damp conditions

What are the characteristics of plywood?

Very stable in all directions due to alternate layering at 90 degrees with outside layers running in the same direction.

Thine flexible versions available (flexiply)

What are the characteristics of chipboard?

Good compressive strength, not water resistant unless treated.

Good value but prone to chipping on edges and corners.

What are the example uses of MDF?

• Flat pack furniture

• Toys

• Kitchen units

• Internal construction

What are the example uses of plywood?

• Furniture

• Shelving

• Toys

• Construction

• Interior, exterior and marine grades available for greater water resistance

What are the example uses of chipboard?

• Flooring

• Low end furniture

• Kitchen units and worktops