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Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Painting Planing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Varnishing Scientific Name Abies alba Trade Name Common European silver fir Family Name Pinaceae Synonyms Abies pectinata Common Names Common European silver fir, Common fir, Common silver fir, European silver fir, European silver pine, Silver fir, Silvergrain, Swiss pine, White deal, Whitewood, Whitewood fir Regions of Distribution Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom Common Uses Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Carvings, Chemical derivatives, Flooring, Food containers, Fuelwood, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Pulp/Paper products Heartwood Color White Yellow Red Orange Pink Green/grey Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange White to cream Pale red to pink Pale brown Greenish to greyish Sapwood Color White Yellow Red White to yellow Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Even Straight Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Low Slightly lustrous Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Non durable Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Kiln Schedules UK=K US=T13C4S/T11D3S - UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Distortion Loose Knots Splitting Checking Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking Slight end splitting No twisting or warping No surface checking Moderate twist/warp Expect slight degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Expect moderate degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Easy Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 20-30 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 60-70 m Tree height is 50-60 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Small Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Pre-Boring Recommended Very Good to Excellent Results Holds nails well Easy to nail Possible if prebored Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Resistant heartwood Permeable heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to screw Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finish is generally good Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = very soft Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Hardness 319 lbs Impact Strength 22 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3916 6397 psi Shearing Strength 1221 psi Stiffness 1017 1199 1000 psi Toughness 167 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 5 7 inch-lbs/in3 Weight 32 26 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Hardness 144 kg Impact Strength 55 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 275 449 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 85 kg/cm2 Stiffness 71 84 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 192 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.49 cm-kg/cm3 Weight 512 416 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Findlay, W.P.K.,1975,Timber: Properties and Uses,Crosby Lockwood Staples London,224PP Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1937,A Handbook of Home-Grown Timbers,HMSO Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Rijsdijk, L.F. and Laming, P.B.,1994,Physical and Related Properties of 145 Timbers, Information for,Practice,TNO Building and Construction Research Centre for Timber Research Kluwer,Academic Publishers T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet No.71 Silver Fir,TRADA Timber Leaflet T.R.A.D.A.,1942,Home-grown timber trees - their characteristics, cultivation and Uses,TRADA Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition