MadSci Network: Botany
Query:

Re: what is the strongest type of wood?

Date: Mon Feb 14 09:48:51 2005
Posted By: David Hershey, Faculty, Botany, NA
Area of science: Botany
ID: 1108167854.Bt
Message:

This is the kind of question that can be answered in different ways depending on
exactly how you define strength. The first reference has a table that compares
wood strength in several ways for important USA wood species. 

First in compression strength is black locust at 10,180 psi. 
First in static bending is cherrybark oak at 2.28.
First in shear strength is black locust at 2,480 psi.

In the second website, the data in the first website were modified by accounting
for wood density (in units such as pounds per square foot). The website author
concluded that live oak was the strongest wood for its density.

Based on its very low density, balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale) is often
considered the world's strongest wood. 

Various other woods are often mentioned as being very strong. Lignum vitae
(Guaiacum officinale) has the world's densest wood that has been used to make
ball bearings.  Ebony (Diospyros spp.) is a very hard wood that was
traditionally used for black piano keys and musical instruments such as
clarinets and oboes. Desert ironwood (Olneya tesota) is another very dense,
strong wood.

Birch was the main wood used for the famous "Spruce Goose" the world's largest
wood airplane built by eccentric billionare Howard Hughes.

References


Strength Properties of Commercially Important Woods


Strongest Wood


Re: What is the strongest kind of wood on earth?


Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale)


Balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale)


Desert ironwood (Olneya tesota)


How come Howard Hughes's "Spruce Goose" flew only once?


Hardwoods: Trees & Shrubs With Hard, Dense Wood






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