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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Plantation species?
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Acacia melanoxylon

Trade Name
Australian blackwood

Family Name
Leguminosae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Australian black acacia, Australian blackwood, Black sally, Black wattle, Blackwood, Cedar, Cedar lightwood, Lightwood, Swarthout, Tasmanian blackwood

Plantation species?
Yes

Regions of Distribution
Africa, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Argentina, Australia, Chile, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania

Common Uses
Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Drum sticks, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Food containers, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Gunstocks, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Office furniture, Organ pipes, Paneling, Piano keys, Pianos , Plywood corestock, Plywood, Poles, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rifle stock, Sounding boards, Sporting Goods, Structural work, Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Violin bows, Violin, Walking sticks, Wardrobes, Wheel spokes, Wheels, Xylophones, agricultural implements

Environmental Profile
Questionable
Extinct
Endangered
Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within its range
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Particularly in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa

Distribution Overview
Australian Blackwood grows in Eastern Australia from Queensland southward to Victoria and also in Tasmania. It has been introduced into East and South Africa, India, Ceylon, Chile, and Argentina. It's distribution is closely linked to rainfall. The tree can be found in various habitats, chiefly wet sclerophyll forest and in or near cooler rainforest.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Yellow
Red
Orange
Purple
Black
Dark brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Reddish brown
Brown
Pale brown
Golden brown with a reddish cast

May have chocolate brown zones. Plantation timber may be Greenish-greyish to black in color

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Green/Grey
White to yellow
Well defined
Straw colored to grayish-white
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood


Grain
Wavy
Straight
Figure
Other (figure)
Closed
Even
Distinct (figure)
Fiddleback (figure)
Interlocked
Rippled (figure)

Generally straight, but not always
Wavy
Other figures are possible or common
Rippled figure
Occasionally wavy
Occasionally interlocked, but not always
Fiddleback figure
Distinct figure


Texture
Medium
Fine
Even or uniform
Uniform
Medium
Fine
Fine to medium
Even textured


Luster
Medium
High
Lustrous


Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Durable
Non-resistant to termites
Perishable
Non-durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Perishable
Moderately durable
Untreated wood in contact with ground could decay in less than 5 years
Non durable
Little or no natural resistance


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Toxicity
Some toxic effects
Respiratory effects
Dermatitic effects


Kiln Schedules
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid
Dry at a moderate speed
Drying (speed) is fast


Drying Defects
Splitting
Distortion
Checking
Collapse
Internal Honeycombing Possible
Slight surface checking
Moderate cupping
Slight end splitting
Slight collapse and honeycomb
No twisting or warping
No surface checking
No end splitting
Moderate end spitting

Wide, flat-sawn boards have a tendency to cup but this can be avoided by weighting down stack

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Slowly
Reconditioning Treatement
Rapidly
Easy
Moderate


Kiln Drying Rate
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Naturally dries quickly
Rapid
Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm)
Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is unknown
Bole/stem form is misshapen
Bole/stem form is buttressed

Stem form tends to be straighter with plantation-grown timber

Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Sapwood width is 15-20 cm
Bole length is 0-10 m
Tree height is 10-20 m


Product Sources
Supplies of the timber are adequate in Australia, but are limited in other parts of the world. Prices are in the high range when the material is available.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Fairly easy to very easy
Fair to good results
Easy
Difficult


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Material with interlocked grain can be difficult.
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to glue
Moderate gluing properties
Satisfactory gluing properties
Gluing properties are variable


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Moulding
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Poor moulding results

Reduce cutting angle to 20 degrees, especially if interlocked grain is present

Movement in Service
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement
Medium
Stable
Small
Not stable/prone to move

Plantation timber is less stable

Nailing
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Poor to Very Poor Results
Fair to Good Results
Pre-Boring Recommended
Difficult to nail
Easy to nail
Satisfactory nailing properties
Possible if prebored
Nails hold poorly


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Poor to Very Poor Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Planes well, to a good finish
Moderately easy to plane
Responds well to both hand and machine tools
Reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is suggested
Planes to a poor finish
Easy to plane

Material containing curly grain usually requires extra attention.

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Permeable sapwood
Permeable heartwood
Heartwood is extremely resistant
Sapwood is moderately resistant
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Sapwood is moderately treatable
Sapwood is extremely resistant
Heartwood is permeable
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Heartwood is extremely resistant to preservative treatment


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
Moderate working qualities
Difficult to machine
Satisfactorily


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory sanding results
Moderate sanding qualities


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to screw
Good screw holding properties


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Easy to turn
Very good
Good results


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
Veneers moderately easy
Veneers easily
Difficult to veneer
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Suitable for slicing
Moderately easy to veneer
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Very good
Good


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Satisfactory results
Excellent results


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Finish is generally satisfactory
Stains well


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Max. crushing strength = high
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Max. crushing strength = medium
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact strength) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Resists denting and marring
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high
Heavy
Hardness (side grain) = very soft
Density = high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1002315313psi
Crushing Strength7841377psi
Density41lbs/ft3
Hardness1075lbs
Impact Strength3937inches
Maximum Crushing Strength53818437psi
Shearing Strength2062psi
Static Bending58318653psi
Stiffness178921221000 psi
Toughness144inch-lbs
Specific Gravity0.50.54
Weight4033lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage10%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength7041076kg/cm2
Crushing Strength5596kg/cm2
Density657kg/m3
Hardness487kg
Impact Strength9893cm
Maximum Crushing Strength378593kg/cm2
Shearing Strength144kg/cm2
Static Bending409608kg/cm2
Stiffness1251491000 kg/cm2
Toughness165cm-kg
Specific Gravity0.50.54
Weight641528kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage2%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Australia - Forest Products Newsletter,1963,Properties of Australian Timbers - Blackwood,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Newsletter No.294 pp3-4

Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Boas, I.H.,1947,The Commercial Timbers of Australia - Their Properties and Uses,Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Melbourne

Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35

Bolza, E. and N. H. Kloot. 1963. The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper No. 25, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1963,The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.25

Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Cause, M.L.; Rudder, E.J. and Kynaston, W.T.,1989,Queensland Timbers Their Nomenclature, Density, and Lyctid Susceptability,Queensland Department of Forestry, Technical Pamplet No.2

Cause, M.L., Et al,1974,The Nomenclature, Density and Lyctus - Susceptibility of Queensland,Timbers,Queensland Forestry Department Pamphlet 13

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough

Cuevas, L.E.,1975,90% cut in Hardwood Drying Time using High Temperature,Philippine Lumberman 21(2) pp18-21

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London

Gay, F.J., Et al,1955,Standard laboratory colonies of termites for evaluating the resistance of,timber, timber preservatives and other materials to termite attack.,C.S.I.R.O., Australia Bulletin,No.277

Haslett, A.N.,1986,Properties and utilisation of exotic speciality timbers grown in,New,Zealand Part II: Australian Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon R.Br.,New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.119

HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Hughes, J.F.,1958,A Summary of the Information Available on the Properties of Afzelia,quanzensis,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Sec. Moshi Series,No.4

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kingston, R.S.T., Risdon, C.J.E.,1961,Shrinkage and Density of Australian and other South-West Pacific Woods,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper No.13

Kline, M. 1980. Acacia melanoxylon - Australian blackwood. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr, J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 13-14.

Lincoln, W. A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Rao, K.R. and S.K. Purkayastha. 1972. Indian Woods - Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume III - Leguminosae to Combretaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India.

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Scott, M.H.,1935,Weights of South African Growth Timbers,South African Department of Agriculture and Forestry Bulletin,No.145,Forest Products Institute, Forestry Series No.1

Scott, M.H.,1953,Utilisation Notes on South African Timbers,South African Forestry Department Bulletin No.36

Sekhar, A.C., Kukreti, M.C.,1979,A Note on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Acacia melanoxylon,(Australian Blackwood) from Kodai Kanal, Tamil Nadu,Indian Forester 105(9) pp677-684

South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1

Stewart, A.M., Kloot, N.H.,1957,Mechanical Properties of Timbers,C.S.I.R.O., Australia Bulletin,No.279

Streets, R.J.,1962,Exotic Forest Trees in the British Commonwealth,Clarendon Press Oxford

Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4

Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7

Tanzania Forest Department,1963,Timbers of Tanganyika - Acacia melanoxylon (Australian Blackwood,Tanzania For. Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Timbers of Tanganyika

Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi

The Australian Timber Journal & Building Products, Merchandiser,1969,Timber Durability and Preservation,Supplement to Australian Timber Journal 35(4) Tech. Timb. Guide No.8

Thomas, A.J.,1955,Tasmanian Woods,Forestry Department Tasmania, Bulletin No.1

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.









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