Balsa Data

Ochroma pyramidale

Hardwood species

http://paseman.com/sisterzone/Adv-Material%20Analysis.htm

Density Compressive Strength (psi) kPa Tensile Strength (psi) kPa Tensile/Compressive Strength
Ratio

Low 680 4688 1100 7584

Medium 1750 12066 2890 19926

High 2830 19512 4670 32199

https://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/Balsa

Compressive (Crushing Strength) 7.0 MPa 1000 psi

Young’s Modulus 3.0 GPa 440000 pse

Elongation at Break 1.2%

Poisson’s Ratio 0.38

Shear Modulus 0.23 GPa 33000 psi

Ultimate Tensile Strength 14 MPa 2000 psi

Specific Heat 1700 lJ/kgK 0.41 BTU/lb-F

Thermal Conductivity 6.5 microm/mK

Density 0.13 kg/m3 8.1 lb/ft3

Dielectric Strength 4.9 kV/mm 0.19 V/mil

Thermal Diffusivity 0.45 m2/s

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1464420714564711

Characterization of balsa wood mechanical properties required for continuum damage mechanics analysis

Extensive experiments are carried out that evaluate the tension, compression, and shear properties. Equivalent modulus has been
calculated from the bi-modulus behavior of balsa wood obtained from the experiments. The properties that could not be obtained
from the experiments were calculated using analytical solutions. The mechanical properties obtained were compared with the results
available in literature and the numerical solutions using LS-DYNA. Finally, the mechanical properties are calibrated using GENOA—a
commercial software based on the wood cell constituent properties and experimental results.
Tests Made

Tension

Compression

Shear

Figure 1. Balsa wood cell structure. (a) Simplified sketch map of wood cell wall’s microstructure18: ML: middle lamella; P: primary
wall; S1: secondary wall_1; S2: secondary wall_2; T or S3: tertiary wall or secondary wall_3. (b) Simplified balsa wood cell
geometry8 – An average cell length: 635 µm (0.025  in.); B average cell diameter: 32 µm (0.00126 m); C average cell wall thickness:
1.5 µm (0.00006 in.). (c) SEM micrographs showing the typical across the balsa wood grain.5
Balsa wood cell structure.
 (a) Simplified sketch map of wood cell wall’s microstructure18:
ML: middle lamella;
P: primary wall;
S1: secondary wall_1;
S2: secondary wall_2; T or
S3: tertiary wall or secondary wall_3.
(b) Simplified balsa wood cell geometry8
A average cell length: 635 µm (0.025  in.);
B average cell diameter: 32 µm (0.00126 m);
C average cell wall thickness: 1.5 µm (0.00006 in.).

(c) SEM micrographs showing the typical across the balsa wood grain.5

Mechanical properties of balsa wood vary significantly with the change of density and the direction of fiber. The density of dry balsa
wood ranges from 40 to 340 kg/m3 (2.5–21 lb/ft3). Most of the researchers have calculated its mechanical properties based on the
density. Wiepking and Doyle4 ran a series of tests at the Forest Products Laboratory of U.S. Forest Service to determine and
compare the various strength and related properties of balsa and quipo woods. Vural and Ravichandran5 presented the results from
an experimental investigation on the compression behavior of balsa wood with varying the densities of specimens, ranging from 55 to
380 kg/m3. Their results indicate that compressive strength of balsa wood increases with increasing density.
 (show relationship of compressive strength vs density)
They have also used post-test scanning electron microscopy to identify the failure modes. They have found that the failure of low-
density specimens is governed by elastic and/or plastic buckling, while kink band formation and end-cap collapse dominate in higher
density balsa specimens.
Based on the experimental results and observations, several analytical models have been proposed to predict the compressive
failure strength of balsa wood under uniaxial loading conditions.
Soden and Mcleis6 carried out the tests to determine the strength of balsa wood and its variation with density. They paid a particular
attention to the tensile strength of balsa loaded at different angles to the grain direction and a simple theory of failure was derived
from the results. They also reported the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity.
Grenestedt and Bekisli7 developed a new arrangement of balsa blocks in a sandwich core which was numerically analyzed. Their
new core, which consisted of an assembly of oddly shaped balsa blocks, allowed the grains in various balsa blocks to be oriented for
example at 45° to the normal of the core. Numerical analyses predicted a superior shear stiffness, which was confirmed by
preliminary tests.
Feichtinger8 described the static mechanical test methods and response of structural core materials (especially the end-grain balsa
wood) used in sandwich construction. He presented a series of standardized test methods for characterizing the performance of
structural cores. He also discussed in detail the procedures, apparatus and their relevance. The core compressive, tensile, shear,
and flexural properties were generated for the proper design of sandwich panels which could be subjected to static loading
conditions. The results of his testing, performed on end-grain balsa core samples over a range of densities, were offered and
compared with literature values of the other core materials.

Test Results/Properties (wood density at 90.98 kg/m3 vs steel @ ) and Calculated Properties
Compression test
a) Along fiber direction
b) Across fiber direction
Tension test
a) Along fiber direction
b) Across fiber direction
 c) Mn
Shear test
a) Along fiber direction
b) Across fiber direction
c) Shear test using MTS machine
d) Reduced shear area test (rectangular red marked area cut before test to reduce surface area)

Calculations
a) Poissons’s ratio
b) Equivalent modulus
a. X direction 688.03 MPa
b. Y direction 32.60 MPa
c. Z direction 32.60 MPa
c) Bulk modulus 35.06 MPa
d) Elastic modulus
e) Shear strength
f) Effective strain
g) Total strain
h) Softening of wood material
https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/wood-species/balsa

Balsa wood is the lightest and softest commercial hardwood timber. White to oatmeal in colour with high silky lustre. Density
160 (120-220)kgm3, commercially preferred density range 120-160kgm3. Strength and stiffness approximately 50% that of
Baltic pine (Pinus sylvestris).

Balsa is the lightest and softest timber used commercially. It exhibits an unusually high degree of buoyancy and provides very
efficient insulation against heat and sound. The wood can be adapted to a great number of special end-uses where these
properties are essential. The timber is white to oatmeal in colour with sometimes a pinkish tinge near the hart. Still most
commercial material is from the sapwood. It has a coarse and even texture resulting from the large and infrequent sap
conducting vessels. Straight grain. It is a short lived fast growing tree native to tropical South and Central America but it is
widely cultivated in the tropics. Trees grow to 21m high and diameter of approximately 0.5m within seven years, reach maturity
in 12-15 years after which they deteriorate with increases in density leading to the formation of hard and heavy wood and
heartwood which tends to become waterlogged. Although when planted outside their natural range, the wood produced tends
to be heavier and outside the commercially accepted density range for balsa the species has been planted successfully in
Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Fiji, and Indonesia.

Characteristics of balsa wood make it a unique hardwood albeit, when weight for weight basis is excluded, it is the weakest of
all commercial species. The logs must be converted promptly after felling to prevent extensive splitting. Kiln drying is preferred
to air-drying due to low moisture movement and very high green moisture content (200-400%). The timber works well with tools
but cutting edges must be sharp to avoid crumbling and to ensure a good finish in planning. Material can be nailed, but its
holding power is poor. Glues well, stains and polishes satisfactorily but it is very absorbent. Timber is prone to attack
by Anobium, termites and longhorn beetle. The sapwood is permeable, heartwood resistant to impregnation. Timber cut form
old trees is often brittle and decayed. Traditional uses include: surf boards, laboratory mounting boards, fish net floats, aircraft
construction and model making.
Table 1

Table 2
http://www.endmemo.com/chem/specificheatsearch.php?q=Balsa%20Wood

Specific Heat 2.9 kJ/kg-K

Specific heat of water 4.186 kJ/kg-K
Specific heat of steel 0.49 kJ/kg-K

http://www.wood-database.com/balsa/

Common Name(s): Balsa

Scientific Name: Ochroma pyramidale
Distribution: Tropical regions of the Americas; also grown on plantations
Tree Size: 60-90 ft (18-28 m) tall, 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) trunk diameter
Average Dried Weight: 9 lbs/ft3 (150 kg/m3)
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .12, .15
Janka Hardness: 67 lbf (300 N)
Modulus of Rupture: 2,840 lbf/in2 (19.6 MPa)
Elastic Modulus: 538,000 lbf/in2 (3.71 GPa)
Crushing Strength: 1,690 lbf/in2 (11.6 MPa)
Shrinkage: Radial: 2.3%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 8.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.6
Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a pale reddish brown color, though it is not commonly seen in
commercial lumber. Most boards/blocks of Balsa are from the sapwood, which is a white to off-white or tan
color, sometimes with a pink or yellow hue.
Grain/Texture: Balsa has a straight grain with a medium to coarse texture and low natural luster.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3;
growth rings indistinct; rays visible without lens; parenchyma typically not visible with lens.
Rot Resistance: Sapwood is rated as perishable, and is also susceptible to insect attack.
Workability: Generally very easy to work with virtually no dulling effect on cutters; yet because of its
extremely low density, fuzzy surfaces can be a problem when using dull cutters. Balsa generally should not
be used to hold nails, with glue being the preferred method of joining. Balsa stains and finishes well, though
it has a tendency to soak up large quantities of material on the initial coats.
Odor: No characteristic odor.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Balsa has been reported to cause skin
irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicityand Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Pricing/Availability: High quality Balsa (that is, Balsa with a very low density) can be rather expensive
when purchased at hobby stores or other specialty outlets. Larger boards and lumber sold through typical
hardwood dealers is hard to find, but generally has a better cost per board-foot than other sources.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species.
Common Uses: Buoys, rafts, surfboards, model airplanes, musical instruments, packing/transport cases,
core stock in sandwich laminations, and fishing lures.
Comments: Balsa is a wood that is famous worldwide. And while its density and mechanical values can
vary significantly depending on the growing conditions of any particular tree, it is generally the lightest and
softest of all commercial woods, ranging from 8 to 14 pounds per cubic foot. Yet despite its softness, Balsa
is technically classified as a hardwood, rather than a softwood, since it has broad leaves and is not a conifer.
Balsa has excellent sound, heat, and vibration insulating properties, and is also incredibly buoyant: in fact,
“Balsa” is the Spanish word for “raft.”

http://www.offgridpro.com/2015/09/the-energy-in-wood/

Balsa Ochroma pyramidale 935 lbs/cord 5.8 MBtu/cord

https://www.quora.com/What-are-balsa-wood%E2%80%99s-tension-and-compression-strength

The Online Materials Information Resource

Tensile Strength, Ultimate

1.00 MPa

145 psi

Perpendicular to Grain

73.0 MPa

10600 psi

Axial

Compressive Yield Strength

1.00 MPa

145 psi

Perpendicular to Grain

6.90 - 9.00 MPa

1000 - 1310 psi

Parallel to Grain
References

Handbook of Composites from Renewable Materials, Design and Manufacturing

https://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/Balsa
http://www.endmemo.com/chem/specificheatsearch.php?q=Balsa%20Wood
http://www.wood-database.com/balsa/
http://www.mat.uc.pt/~pedro/ncientificos/artigos/techbal.html
http://www.offgridpro.com/2015/09/the-energy-in-wood/
http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org/2013-June/006295.html
https://www.matbase.com/material-categories/composites/polymer-matrix-composites-pmc/wood/class-4-wood-slightly-
durable/material-properties-of-balsa-wood.html
https://www.makeitfrom.com/material-properties/Balsa
https://www.quora.com/What-are-balsa-wood%E2%80%99s-tension-and-compression-strength
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1270963897900353
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1464420714564711?journalCode=pila
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X18301441
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17582420
http://appliedmechanics.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/article.aspx?articleid=1409144
http://www.nptel.ac.in/courses/105108072/
http://ecuadorbalsa.com/
http://ecuadorbalsa.com/balsa.htm
https://townsendpdx.com/travels/ecuador-2007/highlands/balsa/
http://www.balsabill.com/FreshBalsa.htm
http://appliedmechanics.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/article.aspx?articleid=1409144

balsa yield strength

continuum damage mechanics (CDM)
balsa tree pictures
flammability of balsa