
- The density of freshly cut coniferous and soft hardwood should be 850 kg/m³, hardwood – 1000 kg/m³.
- The density of glued wood should be taken as non-glued.
- The density of ordinary plywood should be equal to that of veneer wood, and Bakelized plywood should have a density of 1000 kg/m³.
How do you test the density of wood?
a) The most common method and way used to measure the density of wood is by using the formula. There for to find out the density of wood we need to know its mass and volume. The volume of the wood can be found out or calculated by using the mathematical volume formulas.
What is the most dense wood in the world?
Top 10 Strongest Wood in the World
- The Teak. This is among the most iconic trees in the world, mainly found in the tropical. ...
- Australian Buloke. This is an ironwood tree, a native of Australia. ...
- Hickory. This is yet another type of hardwood tree that’s found in the genus Carya comprising about 1 species.
- Maple. ...
- Oak. ...
- Mahogany. ...
- Cedar. ...
- Eucalyptus. ...
- Brazilian Walnut. ...
- African Pear wood. ...
Does wood have high density?
Wood densities vary with growth rates and, within certain ranges, rapid growth is associated with high density woods in some hardwoods (typically ring porous woods) and low density in conifers. Barbara L. Gartner, Frederick C. Meinzer, in Vascular Transport in Plants, 2005
What is the most dense type of wood?
List of the 20 Heaviest Types of Wood in the World
- Black Ironwood. Black ironwood is one of the densest woods on the list and tends to be difficult to work with because of that.
- Itin (Caranda) Itin, also known as Caranda, is one of the more common exotic hardwoods on the top of the list of heaviest woods.
- African Blackwood. ...
- Lignum Vitae. ...
- Quebracho. ...

What is a high density for wood?
HDF (High Density Fibreboard/Hardboard), sometimes referred to as HDF wood, is like MDF in that it is a man-made composite panel product that is manufactured from compressed wood fibres. It is a stronger, harder product than MDF with a typical density of up to 900kg/m3.
What is the density of wood in G m3?
The density of wood is 0.65 g cm3 in CGS system.
What is low density wood?
Section 21.12 - Low density wood. This type of wood is exceptionally light in weight for its species, due usually to abnormal growth conditions. It is frequently referred to as brashy wood and it breaks with a brittle fracture.
What is pine wood density?
It can also be influenced by silviculture. Radiata pine is commonly regarded as a 'medium' density softwood, with typical average tree basic density values of 400-420 kg/m3. However, wood samples can cover a wide range of basic density values between 350 and 550 kg/m3.
What is the unit weight of wood?
With the specific gravity around 1.5, solid wood "substance", or lignocellulose as it is commonly called today, weighs around 1500 kg/m3 (93.6 lb/ft3), at theoretical most… no air, water, or other fluids in cell pores, which would decrease the weight of the wood per unit of volume.
How do you find the density of wood?
Although there are several different methods used to measure wood density, the standard way is to calculate the ratio between the dry weight of wood divided by the green volume of the same wood. This is often referred to as basic density (Tsoumis 1991).
Why is wood density important?
Because strength is proportional to wood density times the cube of diameter, while construction is proportional to wood density times the square of diameter, trees with lower wood density are stronger and more resistant to trunk breakage than trees of higher wood density having the same construction cost.
Is heavy wood of better quality?
Feel for heft. A better piece of furniture of wood will be heavier than a similar piece that isn't as good a quality. Weight indicates its made out of a better quality wood, like mahogany, rather than a lesser quality wood, like pine.
What is the lightest strongest wood?
Redwood – It's one of the lightest and most durable woods used for building. It's one of the many reasons why Redwood is such a popular building material. Heartwood redwood grades are the most durable.
What's the density of oak wood?
Wood Density ChartSolidDensity(103 kg/m3)(lb/ft3)Oak0.6 – 0.937 – 56Oak, American Red0.7445Oak, American White0.7747100 more rows
What is the lightest weight wood?
Balsa. The balsa tree produces a creamy white wood that when dried has a density of just 7.5 pounds per cubic foot, one of the lightest species of wood available.
What is the density of wood in g mL?
0.70Density for Some Select SubstancesSubstancedensity, ρ (g/mL)water (fresh)1.00*water (salt)1.030wood0.70zinc7.0022 more rows
What is the volume of wood?
Volume of Wood The cubic feet, or volume, of a cylindrical log is given by the volume of a cylinder V=πhr2. A log with radius of 2 feet and height of 10 feet would have a volume of about 125.66 cubic feet (or ft3).
What is the density of cherry wood in g cm3?
Wood Density ChartSolidDensity(103 kg/m3)(lb/ft3)Cedar, western red0.3823Cherry, European0.6343- 56Chestnut, sweet0.5630100 more rows
What is the density of a block of wood?
The density is measured by: D=mV . Therefore, for the piece of wood in question the density could be calculated by: D=mV=57g125cm3=0.46gcm3 .
How to tell density of wood?
Density is expressed in the units of mass divided by volume, such as grams per centimeters cubed (g/cm3), kilograms per meter cubed (kg/m3), or pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3). The higher the number, the more dense the wood.
How is wood density measured?
Wood density measures the amount of actual wood material in a unit volume of wood. The way we reach that measurement is to calculate the ratio between an oven-dry or air-dried mass of wood (that is, the lightest it will ever get) divided by the green volume of the wood (when it’s freshly cut and has its largest possible water volume) to find its moisture content.
How does wood affect the strength of a fastener?
A wood’s density or specific gravity also affects how it holds a fastener. The more dense the fiber—the more fiber that we have per unit area—the more bite that wood will have on a friction based fastener like a nail. But denser woods are also more likely to split if a large fastener is driven into them. Less dense woods—with fewer fibers to be pushed apart by a large fastener—will not hold a small nail as tightly, but they’re less likely to snap if a large fastener is driven into them.
What is the difference between hardwood and softwood?
Hardwood and softwood are distinguished in terms of their reproduction: hardwood comes from deciduous trees, which produces seeds with a covering (think walnut, maple and oak); while softwood comes from gymnosperm trees, which have needles and produce cones ( think conifers such as spruce and pine).
What would happen if wood was the same density as water?
If wood were the same density as water, the specific gravity would be 1.00. If it’s less than one—and most wood is less than one—then it’s going to float.”. Learn all about the properties of wood and how wood is used in construction in the MT Copeland course on Wood Materials.
How does density affect a wood?
A wood’s density or specific gravity also affects how it holds a fastener. The more dense the fiber—the more fiber that we have per unit area—the more bite that wood will have on a friction based fastener like a nail. But denser woods are also more likely to split if a large fastener is driven into them. Less dense woods—with fewer fibers to be pushed apart by a large fastener—will not hold a small nail as tightly, but they’re less likely to snap if a large fastener is driven into them.
How to determine bending strength of wood?
In order to calculate a wood’s bending strength, we have to determine a measurement called the “Modulus of Rupture,” frequently abbreviated as MOR . Essentially, it is the measure of the strength of a piece of wood loaded with a block perpendicular to the grain until it breaks. Both MOR and compressive strength are measured in pounds per inch.
What is the density of wood?
Density is mass per unit volume. The density of the wood relates strictly to the solid substance of the wood, without taking under consideration the water and air within the wood structure. Wood density or wood specific gravity is measured in kg/m3 and it varies from one wood species to another.
How does density relate to the mechanical properties of wood?
Density is correlated to the mechanical properties of wood therein as density increases, the strength of wood increases.
Why is the density of wood important?
In your woodworking project you can already know how a type of wood will perform based on the wood density.
What is the weight of displaced water?
The weight of the displaced water that is measured is equal to the wood sample’s volume since the water has a density of 1.
How to measure green volume?
Green volume are often measured using two different methods : A) Using the dimensional method which calculate the volume of the wood assuming that is a regular cylindrical shape. Using a caliper you measure the diameter at different points and using a ruler you measure the total length of the wood.
How to determine moisture content of wood?
The moisture content of the wood material is determined on samples taken from the respective wood. These samples are weighed beforehand and then dried at 105 ℃ up to constant weight.
How much water does a green tree have?
A green tree contains up to 75% water, which is then lost, depending on the drying. In general, the density of the wood is measured at different degrees of humidity, the wood being hygroscopic. Usually rangers measure the weight of a given volume of wood that has been air-dried.
How is wood weight determined?
A wood product's weight is determined by combining the density of the basic wood structure with the material's moisture content. The density of wood, exclusive of water, varies a great deal within and between species.
Is 10% moisture normal?
Density variations wthin a particular species of approximately 10% should be considered normal. A wood's weight is always partially contingent on its moisture content, so moisture should always be taken into consideration. The figures below represent the density at approximately 12% moisture content. (1)
How to find the density of wood?
You can find out wood density by measuring the mass and volume. Using the Imperial system of measurements used in the United States, density is measured in units of pounds per cubic feet. Because weight and mass are related by gravity, this specific weight measurement is considered a measure of density.
How to measure density?
Density can be measured by measuring mass (weight) and volume. Oven-dry mass is measured by placing the chosen of wood in an oven at 103±2°C. Wood is “baked” until its weight becomes a constant. The volume of wood is determined by measuring the dimensions of wood or by using water displacement or the Archimedes principle.
What is density anyway?
Density is defined as the mass found in a unit volume (of the material. Density can be measured at the same moisture content. You must understand that wood is a hygroscopic material which means that this has the natural property to attract and retain moisture.
What happens when you remove extractives from wood?
When extractives are removed, the density of wood reduces.
Why does wood behave this way?
Why does wood behave this way? It is because wood is mostly made of dead cells, which are made of cell walls and cell cavities. The density of the material that makes up the cell walls is nearly constant, about 1.5 g.cm-3 for temperate wood.
What is the process of wood absorbing moisture?
When moisture is absorbed by the wood, the process is called adsorption. This increases weight and volume of wood. The volume of wood increases when it is below the saturation point (about 30 % moisture). Also, basic density is the oven-dry weight of wood.
How to find the volume of a cylinder?
Multiply the length by width by height for rectangular pieces. Calculate the volume of a cylinder by dividing the diameter by two to calculate the radius. Square the radius and multiply the result by the value of pi or 3.14 and then multiply the answer by the length. Divide the weight by the volume to get the specific weight or Imperial density.
How does wood density vary?
Wood density varies according to the species of trees and how the tree grew. A tree has many parts and each part has different densities. Consider that the stems have a lower density compared to branches; branches have a lower density than the trunk.
What is the specific gravity of wood?
Specific gravity is a simple measurement of the density of a wooden material compared to water. Wood with the same density as water, its specific gravity is 1.00. If the wood has lower than 1.00 specific gravity then expect this to float.
What is the densest wood in the world?
The Black Ironwood is the densest wood in the world with 84.5 pounds/cubic feet density. You won’t find this very rare wood in the market as it’s a small tree and thus, is not commercially available. Black Ironwood is used in small projects, decorative items, and small indoor wooden pieces.
What are the most common fasteners for wood?
Fasteners are needed to install different things on wood. The most common fasteners are hex bolts, wood screws, lag bolts, and sheet metal screws. The density and specific gravity of wood will affect how this holds any kind of material fastener.
What is African blackwood?
Called the “original ebony” African Blackwood is a legendary dense wood with 79.3 pounds/cubic feet density. It is very dense and strong and thus it’s used in brush backs, walking sticks, chess pieces, knife handles, turnery work, and carvings.
What is the heaviest wood?
One of the heaviest woods with 78.5 pounds/cubic feet density. Lignum vitae is listed as one of the endangered wood species by CITES. It is used in tool handles, pulley wheels, turnery work, bearings, mallet heads, and many more.
How dense is Desert Ironwood?
The Desert Ironwood is a small tree that’s very dense at 75.4 pounds/cubic feet. It has a colorful grain with unique patterns making it a favorite among hobbyists and collectors. Desert Ironwood is very expensive and is sought for special projects.
How is water determined in wood?
The amount of bounded water in wood is determined by the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding atmosphere. The water content changes slowly as the relative humidity of the surrounding air changes.
How much moisture does wood lose in winter?
The moisture content at winter time can be estimated to be 3-4 %. Wood changes dimensions with moisture - it swells when it gains moisture - and it shrinks when it loses moisture. Typical wood shrinkage from green to ovendry moisture content is typical 3-8% in radial grain direction and 6-12% in tangential grain direction.
What is the difference between sapwood and softwood?
Softwood - woods that come from gymnosperms (mostly conifers plants) Hardwood - woods that come from angiosperms (flowering plants) In green softwoods the moisture content of sapwood is usually greater than that of heartwood.
What is heartwood wood?
Heartwood - the darker colored wood found to the interior of the sapwood
What is green wood?
Green wood is freshly sawn wood in which the cell walls are completely saturated with water. Additional water may reside in the lumina. The moisture content of green wood can range from less than 30% to more than 200%.
What are the properties of materials?
Material Properties - Material properties for gases, fluids and solids - densities, specific heats, viscosities and more
Does wood shrink with moisture?
Wood changes dimensions with moisture - it swells when it gains moisture - and it shrinks when it loses moisture.

How Is Wood Density Measured?
Density and Strength
- In order to calculate a wood’s bending strength, we have to determine a measurement called the “Modulus of Rupture,” frequently abbreviated as MOR. Essentially, it is the measure of the strength of a piece of wood loaded with a block perpendicular to the grain until it breaks. Both MOR and compressive strength are measured in pounds per inch. Jordan suggests thinking of a piece of …
Density and Fasteners
- A wood’s density or specific gravity also affects how it holds a fastener. The more dense the fiber—the more fiber that we have per unit area—the more bite that wood will have on a friction based fastener like a nail. But denser woods are also more likely to split if a large fastener is driven into them. Less dense woods—with fewer fibers to be pushed apart by a large fastener—…
What Are The Densest Woods—And The Least dense?
- The top three woods by density are: 1. Black Ironwood: A rare wood with a density as high as 1.42 g/cm3 (88 lbs. per cubic foot) 2. Itin:a small South American tree related to mesquite: .98 g/cm3 (61 lbs. per cubic foot) 3. African Blackwood: Considered by some to be the original ebony: 1.08 g/cm3 (67 lbs. per cubic foot) The least dense woods are:...
Commonly Used Woods and Their Densities
- Density is expressed in the units of mass divided by volume, such as grams per centimeters cubed (g/cm3), kilograms per meter cubed (kg/m3), or pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3). The higher the number, the more dense the wood. MT Copelandoffers video-based online classes that give you a foundation in construction fundamentals with real-world applications. Classesinclude prof…
How Is The Density of Wood Measured?
Density of Wood Calculator
- B)Using the water-displacement method which calculate the volume of the wood. This method is great for irregularly shaped wood samples. First fill a container with water that is capable of holding the wood sample. Place this container on a digital balance of precision of minimum 0.01 g. To not take into account the container weight, the digital balance should be re-zeroed (indicat…
Wood Types
- There are primarily two type of wood : Hardwood and Softwood. Each type comes from different types of trees so they are classified separately. Hardwoods comes from Deciduous Trees. Deciduous trees have covered seeds and annually shed leaves. Softwoodscomes from Conifers. Conifers trees have uncovered seeds and cones which fall on the ground. The wood density diff…
Why Is The Density of Wood Important?
- In your woodworking project you can already know how a type of wood will perform based on the wood density. Let’s see why! Density of wood is a very important trait for furniture making. There are two main important mechanical properties: strength and stiffness. Research has shown that a increase density equals an increase strength, hardness and stiffness of sawn timber. The basic …
What Wood Has The Highest Wood Specific Gravity ?
- For practice, the indicative values are obtained from graphs that give the dependence of the density of humidity. Each species of wood has the characteristic average density. For comparison, the absolute density (absolute dry wood) is taken; from this point of view all wood species are classified into the following 6 classes: