Materials Flashcards
(101 cards)
Define wood
Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
What are the wood subcategories
Hard woods
Soft woods
Manufactured boards
What are the advantages of using wood
- Strong and reasonably lightweight
- Versatile, can be put to many uses
- Easy to work with
- A sustainable resource if managed properly
What are the disadvantages of using wood?
- Many degrade and rot if wet
- Flammable
- Logging and manufacture can deplete forests
- Wood can swell and shrink
What are hardwoods
Hardwoods come from deciduous or broad-leafed trees. They are generally slow growing which tends to make them harder and more expensive. Please note though that not all hardwoods are hard, Balsa which is very soft and is often used for model planes is in fact a hardwood. Hardwoods are sold by the cubic metre then this is sawn to the size the customer requires. Some timber is machined into many sections called mouldings for example, dowel, beading, etc.
Name 5 types of hardwood
Beech
Oak
Mahogany
Teak
Balsa
Describe beech (hardwood)
A straight-grained hardwood with a fine texture. Light in colour. Very hard so is ideal to be used where it is being bashed around and used often. Beech is also very easy to work with.
Describe Oak
A very strong wood which is light in colour. Open grain. Hard to work with. When treated it looks very classy and elegant. A hardwood.
Describe Mahogany
An easy to work wood which is reddish brown in colour. This wood is very expensive. A hardwood.
Describe Teak
A very durable oily wood which is golden brown in colour. Highly resistant to moisture and outdoor weather. A hardwood
Describe Balsa
is a pale white to gray. It has a distinct velvety feel. It has exceptional strength to weight properties. It is the lightest and softest wood on the market. A hardwood.
Describe the uses of beech
Used for furniture, toys, tool handles. Can be steam bent.
Describe the uses of oak
Used for high class furniture, boats, beams used in buildings, veneers.
Describe the uses of mahogany
Used for expensive indoor furniture, shop fittings, bars, veneers.
Describe the uses of teak
Used for outdoor furniture, boat building, laboratory furniture and equipment.
Describe the uses of balsa
Used for light work such as model making and model airplane construction
Describe Softwoods
Softwoods come from coniferous trees which have needles instead of leaves. Softwoods grow faster than hardwoods and so are cheaper they are also easier to work with as they are softer than hardwoods. These are supplied in standard sections sawn and planned smooth. Softwood sizes are confusing because they are smaller once they are planned.
Name 4 types of softwoods
Scots pine
Spruce
Yellow Cedar
European redwood
Describe Scots pine
A straight-grained softwood but knotty. Light in colour. Fairly strong but easy to work with. Cheap and readily available. A softwood.
Describe spruce
Creamy-white softwood with small hard knots. Not very durable. A softwood.
Describe yellow cedar
A pale yellow-coloured softwood with a fine even texture. Light in weight but stiff and stable.
Describe European redwood
Quite strong, Lots of knots, durable when preserved. cheap. A softwood
Describe the uses of Scots pine
Used for DIY and cheap quality furniture. Mainly used for constructional work and simple joinery.
Describe the uses of spruce
Used for general indoor work, whitewood furniture used in bedrooms and kitchens