Timber Properties Flashcards
To learn the properties of different timbers
1
Q
What are the properties of beech wood?
A
- Hard, tough, strong & finishes well
- Warps easily
- Close, straight grain
- Expensive
- Pinkish-brown
2
Q
What are the properties of oak wood?
A
- Very strong, heavy, durable & hard
- Grain varies but is generally open
- Over 400 species
- Light brown
3
Q
What are the properties of mahogany wood?
A
- Hard, strong, easy to work & resistant to rot
- Fine, straight grain
- Some species are protected
- Reddish-brown
4
Q
What are the properties of balsa wood?
A
- Very light & soft, but has great strength-to-weight ratio
- Straight grain with distinct velvety feel
- Pale cream to white
5
Q
What are the properties of cedar wood?
A
- Contains a chemical that makes it durable & resistant to weather
- Short, notable grain
- Light cream to reddish-brown
6
Q
What are the properties of Scots pine?
A
- Easy to work with, reasonably strong & lightweight
- Straight grain with lots of knots
- Pale to reddish-brown
7
Q
What are the properties of larch wood?
A
- Tough & strong, but easy to work with
- Resistant to rot, but prone to splitting
- Yellow to reddish-brown
8
Q
What are the properties of spruce wood?
A
- Good strength-to-weight ratio
- Can contain small knots
- Creamy white to pinkish-brown
9
Q
What are the properties of MDF?
A
- Has a smooth surface, which makes it easy to paint and finish (often with a layer of high quality veneer)
- Denser than other manufactured boards
- Produces a lot of hazardous dust (a mask must be worn when working with it)
- Comes in moisture- and fire-resistant varieties
10
Q
What are the properties of plywood?
A
- Very strong in all directions; often stringer than solid wood
- Outside layers are finished with a high-quality veneer
- Must always include an odd number of layers and the grain always runs in the same direction on the outside layers
- Comes in water-resistant marine grades
11
Q
What are the properties of chipboard?
A
- Has a rough surface and texture so is often covered with veneers to improve its appearance
- Low-cost but not as strong or durable as other manufactured timber, such as MDF
- Easily damaged by moisture but comes in water-resistant varieties
