The Waterjet Channel recently conducted a series of tests to determine the strength and hardness of different types of wood. They compared balsa, known as the world’s softest wood, to yarn wood, which is known to be one of the hardest woods in the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the experiment and discuss the findings.
The first test conducted was the Janka hardness test, which measures the force required to push a steel ball into the wood. Balsa wood required 298 newtons of force, while yarn wood required a whopping 19,892 newtons. It’s important to note that there is another wood called wadi wood that is harder than both balsa and yarn wood, but yarn wood and wadi wood are both native to Australia and known for their unique names.
To further examine the strength of these woods, the Waterjet Channel decided to test how easily each wood could be cut with their waterjet machine. They adjusted the settings to ensure it was just barely cutting through the balsa wood, and then used the same settings on the other woods to see how deep it could cut. The results were as follows:
- Pine wood: Cut deeper than balsa wood
- Walnut: Cut about the same depth as pine wood
- Stabilized maple: Cut slightly deeper than walnut
- Yarn wood: Showed signs of brittleness and broke as it was being cut
These findings clearly demonstrate that balsa wood is significantly softer and less strong than the other woods tested. It is important to note that balsa wood should not be regarded as a baseline for comparing the hardness of other woods, as it is in a league of its own.
Next, the Waterjet Channel conducted a sanding test to determine how much wood could be removed in five seconds. They measured the wood before and after sanding and found that the balsa wood experienced the most reduction in size. This further confirms that balsa wood is much softer compared to the other woods tested.
In the final test, the Waterjet Channel decided to burn the woods to see how they would respond to heat. They used a torch to burn each piece of wood for five seconds. The results showed that balsa wood and yarn wood both charred significantly, while pine wood was more resistant to burning due to its wider grains.
In conclusion, the Waterjet Channel’s tests clearly demonstrate that pine wood is stronger and harder than balsa wood. While balsa wood is incredibly soft and easily manipulated, it is not a suitable representative for comparing the hardness of other woods. Pine wood, on the other hand, showed a greater resistance to cutting, sanding, and burning. These findings provide valuable insights into the varying strengths of different types of wood.
In the future, it would be interesting to see further tests conducted on other types of wood to uncover even more insights into their strength and hardness. Wood is a fascinating material, and understanding its properties can have important implications for various industries, including construction, furniture making, and more.
By conducting these experiments, the Waterjet Channel has contributed to the collective knowledge about wood, offering valuable information that can help professionals and enthusiasts make informed decisions when working with different types of woods.
