WOOD SPECIES · Hardwood
Eucalyptus grandis: density, weight and properties
Eucalyptus grandis
Eucalyptus grandis (Eucalyptus grandis) averages 600 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content, according to CIRAD’s Tropix database. The figures below are averages for clear, mature wood; individual boards vary with origin, growth and moisture.
Key figures
- Density at 12% moisture
- 600 kg/m³Average for mature wood; varies with origin and growth
- Monnin hardness at 12%
- 2.5French surface-hardness index; not convertible to Janka
- Bending strength (modulus of rupture)
- 103 MPa
- Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
- 15,200 MPa
- Compression parallel to grain
- 59 MPa
- Tangential shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 10.0%
- Radial shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 5.8%
- Fibre saturation point
- 31%
Weight at 12% moisture content
Volume × 600 kg/m³, the same calculation as the weight calculator. Green or wet wood weighs considerably more.
| Piece | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic metre | 1,000 × 1,000 × 1,000 mm | 600 kg |
| 1 board foot | 12 × 12 × 1 in | 1.42 kg |
| 1×4 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 2.48 kg |
| 1×6 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 5 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 3.89 kg |
| 2×4 board, 8 ft | 1 1/2 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 4.96 kg |
| 2×6 board, 10 ft | 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 in actual × 10 ft | 9.73 kg |
Movement across the width
How much a board 11 1/4 in (286 mm) wide changes when its moisture content moves by a few percentage points. The estimate uses the total shrinkage above and a linear relation below the fibre saturation point of 31% (Wood Handbook Eq. 4-9). Flat-sawn boards move with tangential shrinkage, quartersawn boards with radial shrinkage.
| Moisture change | Flat-sawn | Quartersawn |
|---|---|---|
| 3 percentage points | 2.8 mm (0.109 in) | 1.6 mm (0.063 in) |
| 6 percentage points | 5.5 mm (0.218 in) | 3.2 mm (0.126 in) |
Wood movement across the grain · Moisture content and acclimatising wood
Natural durability
Durability of the heartwood against wood-decay fungi: class 2–4 on the EN 350 scale from 1 (very durable) to 5 (not durable), as reported by Tropix. The rating applies to heartwood only.
Working and finishing
Like most eucalypts it develops growth stresses that cause splits and distortion when logs are sawn, so mills use adapted sawing patterns. Cutting blunts tools, and pilot holes are needed for nails and screws. Density at 12% moisture content usually ranges from 550 to 650 kg/m³ depending on origin (Tropix, as red grandis).
Typical uses
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Glued-laminated timber
- Panelling
- Interior joinery and millwork
- Exterior joinery (windows and doors)
Calculate with this material
Species with similar density
- European larch 600 kg/m³
- Mahogany (Swietenia) 600 kg/m³
- Black walnut 616 kg/m³
Sources & references
Uses and working notes summarise the cited source. Check the moisture content, grade and origin of the wood you actually buy.