Woods Flashcards
(21 cards)
Describe features of hardwoods
- Expensive
- Slow growing
- Require more land
- High quality
- Durable
Describe features of softwoods
- Fast growing
- Low cost
- Lightweight
- Require less land
List softwoods
- Pine
- Cedar
- Spruce
List hardwoods
- Oak
- Mahogany
- Birch
- Beech
- Teak
Describe features of Oak
- Tough and durable hardwood
- Resistant to rot when exposed to moisture
- Main engineering hardwood
- Used for furniture
Describe features of Mahogany
- Durable
- Resistant to decay
- Aesthetic and expensive hardwood
- Great stability
- Used for jewelry boxes and furniture
Describe features of Birch
- Strong and durable hardwood
- Fine grain even texture
- Used for furniture
Describe features of Beech
- Tough hardwood
- Resistant to abrasion
- Used for cooking utensils, sports equipment
- Tendency to warp when exposed to changes in humidity
Describe features of Pine
- Most commonly used softwood
- Cheap
- Used in furniture
Describe features of Cedar
- Lightweight softwood
- High oil content makes it resistant to decay and weathering
- Toxic so could lead to kidney problems
- Used for fencing and so resistant to decay
Describe features of Teak
- High oil so suitable for outdoor products
- Strong and durable
- Naturally water resistant
- expensive hardwood
Describe features of Spruce
- Lightweight, soft and elastic
- Easy to shape
- Used in packaging and fencing
What is PSE?
PSE is a term used to indicate that the timber has a
‘planed square edge’. This means that one edge will be planed smooth.
What is PAR?
PAR is a term used to indicate that the timber is
planned all round meaning that both the edges and sides have been planed. Planed timber is used for interior work where the timber is likely to be seen.
Wood treatments
Wood can be treated to increase its resistance to decay, through fungal and insect attack. Damp or poorly ventilated environments make an ideal environment for fungal attack. A dry stable environment with high oil woods are less likely to decay and become a risk to fungal or insect attack.
Wood fibres
Wood fibres are made from hollow straw like cells, they can carry water and nutrients to and from the roots and leaves. The hollow shape enables nutrients to go through effectively and easily because they are streamlined.
Describe features of plywood
- Strong in every direction, cannot split along the grain
- Has smooth surfaces
- Made from both hard and softwoods
- Made from layers of wood veneer glued together
Describe features of MDF
- Made from wood fibres that are combined with an adhesive compressed under pressure
- Smooth surface
- Easy to work with
- Cheap
Wood grain
The wood grain can affect workability and cost, many hardwoods such as Mahogany and Oak are praised for their decorative grain pattern.
What is sizing?
Chemicals added to pulp to improve strength and to increase/decrease absorbancey.
