Scientific Name
Nothofagus truncata
Trade Name
Clinker beech
Family Name
Fagaceae
Synonyms
Fagus truncata
Common Names
Clinker beech, Hard beech
Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia
Countries of Distribution [VIEW MAP]
Australia, New Zealand
Common Uses
Boat building (general), Flooring, Heavy construction, Mine timbers, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties
Heartwood Color
| Brown | ||||||||||||
| Black | ||||||||||||
| Red | ||||||||||||
| Pink |
Sapwood Color
| Green/Grey | ||||||||||||
| Brown |
Grain
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Birds-eye (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Figure | ||||||||||||
| Straight | ||||||||||||
| Interlocked | ||||||||||||
| Distinct (figure) | ||||||||||||
| Stripe (figure) |
Texture
| Medium |
Natural Durability
| Durable | ||||||||||||
| Moderately durable | ||||||||||||
| Non-resistant to termites | ||||||||||||
| Susceptible to insect attack |
Drying Defects
| Distortion | ||||||||||||
| Splitting | ||||||||||||
| Checking | ||||||||||||
| Moderate surface checking |
Ease of Drying
| Fairly Easy | ||||||||||||
| Rapidly |
Kiln Drying Rate
| Naturally dries quickly |
Tree Size
| Tree height is 10-20 m | ||||||||||||
| Tree height is 0-10 m | ||||||||||||
| Even | ||||||||||||
| Straight |
Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Mortising
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Moulding
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Nailing
| Very Good to Excellent Results | ||||||||||||
| Fair to Good Results |
Planing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood | ||||||||||||
| Resistant sapwood |
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work |
Sanding
| Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult |
Painting
| Fair to Good Results |
Varnishing
| Fair to Good Results | ||||||||||||
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
Strength Properties
| Bending strength (MOR) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low | ||||||||||||
| Max. crushing strength = medium | ||||||||||||
| Hardness (side grain) = medium | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = large | ||||||||||||
| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large | ||||||||||||
| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low | ||||||||||||
| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = low | ||||||||||||
| Bending strength (MOR) = high |
Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
| Bending Strength | 9488 | 14801 | psi |
| Density | 43 | lbs/ft3 | |
| Hardness | 1658 | lbs | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3916 | 6397 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | 1989 | psi | |
| Stiffness | 1646 | 1899 | 1000 psi |
| Weight | 42 | 34 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % | |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 15 | % | |
| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
| Bending Strength | 667 | 1040 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | 689 | kg/m3 | |
| Hardness | 752 | kg | |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 275 | 449 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | 139 | kg/cm2 | |
| Stiffness | 115 | 133 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Weight | 673 | 544 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 5 | % |
References
Bier, H.,1983,The strength properties of small clear specimens of New Zealand-grown,timber,New Zealand Forest Service Forest Research Institute, FRI Bulletin No.41
Entrican, A.R., Et al,1951,The Physical and Mechanical properties of the principal indegenous woods,of New Zealand,New Zealand Forest Service, Wellington NZ
Reid, J.S.,1953,Beech Timbers,New Zealand Forest Service Information Series No.17
Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London