General Description
American White Oak (Quercus Alba) is distinct from Western Europe Oak (Quercus Robur & Petraea). It is generally produced from a smaller log and is less durable than the European variety. However it is very popular for interior joinery, furniture and kitchens. Thinner boards are price competitive but this may change for boards over 50mm thick. Grade mainly FAS but also #1cmn & btr in 1" thick is often used by volume furniture producers.
Widths 4"- 9", but 10" & wider premium price bundles are also stocked. Lengths; mainly 8', 10', 12' and some 14'.
Working Properties
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Machines well |
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Good for nailing and screwing, although pre-boring is advisable (also reacts with Iron) |
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Gluing results are variable |
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Stains and polishes well |
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Dries slowly and care is needed to avoid checking |
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Can be susceptible to movement in performance |
Physical Properties
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Heavy and hard |
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Medium bending and crushing strength properties, but very good in steam bending |
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Southern White Oak is heavier and harder |
Durability
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Heartwood is resistant to decay and extremley resistant to preservative treatment |
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Sapwood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment |
Main Uses
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Construction |
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Furniture |
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Flooring |
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Architectural Joinery |
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Exterior Joinery |
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Mouldings |
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doors |
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Kitchen cabinets |
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Panelling |
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Railway sleepers |
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Timber bridges |
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Barrel staves |
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Coffins and caskets |
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Northern White Oak
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Southern White Oak
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| Process |
Quality Scale
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| Machining |
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| Nailing |
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| Screwing |
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| Gluing |
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| Finishing |
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| Property |
Value |
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| Specific Gravity: (12% M.C.) |
0.68 |
| Average Weight: (12% M.C.) |
769 kg/m3 |
| Average Volumetric Shrinkage: (Green to 6% M.C.) |
12.6% |
| Modulus of Elasticity: |
12,273 MPa |
| Hardness: |
6049 N |
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