Solid wood: what is it?

In the spheres of construction and production, traditional plastics materials are replaced by traditional plastics in various designs. They are distinguished by high technical and physical qualities, which allows them to confidently replace both wood and even metal. Nevertheless, wood raw materials have many advantages due to low cost of procurement and ecological purity. Weak strength of this material is considered to be strength. To increase this figure, manufacturers use special processing methods to increase the rigidity, density and overall resistance to mechanical damage. However, hard wood species initially have these properties, often eliminating the need for special thermal treatments.

Features of hardwood

Typically, the quality of such breeds is estimated by three indicators - density, hardness according to Brinnel and the rigidity of the transverse cut. On average, the density of such wood is about 1200-1400 kg / m ³ . With regard to Brinell hardness, this value can reach 3.5 kgf / mm ² , and the rigidity of the transverse cut is 80 MPa. Again, these indicators are typical for the trees familiar to Russian conditions, and exotic breeds can have significantly superior characteristics. What types of wood are hard in the temperate zone? Usually oak, beech, ash and some hornbeam species are distinguished. It is important to consider that along with the positive quality in the form of hardness, such trees also differ in their negative properties. It has already been said that in order to improve performance, the lumber can be subjected to additional processing. Sometimes hard wood is exposed to similar operations for obtaining special physical characteristics. And here there is a serious problem, because many breeds do not tolerate the processes of grinding, impregnation and especially drying because of high density. Often, cracks, chips and other manifestations of deformation of the structure are formed.

Classification of hard wood species

Isolate the rocks that grow in the temperate zone, and exotic trees. There is also a classification for deciduous and coniferous species. Although most hard rocks still belong to the deciduous, among the needles there are also varieties with increased characteristics of density and rigidity. As for the rocks of the temperate belt, then they can include maple, boxwood, briar and the mentioned hornbeam. Here, coniferous hardwoods are also the most common. Which of them have the most pronounced hardness indicators? In this case, attention deserves larch, yew, juniper and lawson. There are hard rocks and among the usual fruit trees - in this category stands out the forest apple, sour, pear, mountain ash and some types of walnut. As for the exotic rocks, they show the highest hardness and density. Here, red and lemon trees, rosewood, eucalyptus, etc. are of special interest. Now the hardest species of trees should be considered in detail.

Red tree

In Russia, this breed is the most popular, as it can be purchased on a free sale. This is a tropical tree, which is characterized by high hardness, as well as original texture on the cut. Freshly sawed wood is characterized by a yellowish-red hue, but over time it is replaced by darker tones, which gives the material nobility. Accordingly, the consumer values not only the technical, but also the decorative properties of this tree. It should be noted that from the point of view of the pronounced decorative qualities of solid wood, there are also buckshot and boxwood. And these rocks are used not only as finishing materials, but also can replace individual decorative details in jewelry products and technical devices. But mahogany is also different and easy to machine. The density of this rock is not so high in comparison with many hard materials of tropical origin, therefore this raw material is very in demand in furniture factories.

Iron tree

If heavy-duty plastics can replace iron due to their strength, this rock is not only able to occupy the place of a resistive to mechanical loads in some areas, but at the same time it also meets the increased requirements in terms of environmental resistance. Under the concept of an iron tree is a whole group of rocks that predominantly grow in the countries of the Asian region and in Australia. The classical representative of the group is the Persian parrot. This species is widespread in relict forests, where locals have made knife and ax handle from ancient times. Today, "hardwood" hardwood is protected by UNESCO. This breed, in particular, has an aesthetic value, which causes a great interest to it from the market.

Merbau

This is not the hardest, but on the basis of other operational qualities, it can be said, the most practical breed. Previously, this tree was used in the construction of sea vessels. This is due to the fact that the material is resistant to moisture and, moreover, does not dry out. Therefore, merbau can be stored for a long time, after which it can be subjected to thermal treatments and used in construction. As already noted, trees belonging to hardwoods, like hornbeam or beech, practically do not tolerate additional processing. But merbau stubbornly endures traditional methods of influence in order to increase individual performance.

White acacia

The hardest breed in Russia, which is valued not only for strength, but also for resistance to the processes of biological destruction. In addition, the acacia of this species is well polished and does not crack during long-term operation. With the maintenance of preventive treatment, wood is also not subjected to minor mechanical damage. By the way, according to technical characteristics this species surpasses such hard wood species as oak and ash.

Lignum vitae

The hardness index of this tree is one of the highest in the whole world. Suffice it to say that the material optimally copes with its tasks when used in the form of bearings, bushings and brackets. In the navy, the wood of this breed was often used as material for the deck. But how the sawn timber is valued for other reasons. It does not lend itself to deforming processes under the influence of external negative factors. This can be both chemical and physical effects that do not have a destructive effect on the structure. There are other hardwoods that also show resistance to extreme loads. But the unique quality of the tank is a balanced combination of a large mass and density.

Application of hardwood

Most of this material is used in construction. Wood in one form or another can be used as a basis for structures, and as a finish. Some breeds are also used in the areas of machine and instrument engineering. Of these, separate functional elements are performed with the expectation of long-term use - and this may be temporary consumables, and durable parts of structures. This is the main, but not all, areas in which high-strength wood is used. Soft, hard rocks, as well as wood species with average density, can be used for medical purposes. In this case, hardness is not so important. The fact is that many exotic breeds contain unique in their properties resins. Preparation of medicinal mixtures for internal and external use, in particular, allows you to fight diseases of joints, respiratory organs, etc.

Conclusion

Manufacturers of building materials are perfectly familiar with the rule that increasing one technical and operational property almost always entails minimizing other qualities. In part, this law extends to hardwoods that, by some characteristics, lose to soft types. The processes of biological destruction, physical deformation, and texture distortion are the main disadvantages of soft rocks used in long-term format. But on the other hand, such wood has the advantage of being susceptible to additional treatments. Of course, in both categories there are exceptions, but the soft structure due to the low density is nevertheless more disposed to the formation of new properties by artificial means.