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Material categories and properties - EdexcelNatural and manufactured timbers

All materials have physical and working properties. Physical properties are the traits a material has before it is used, whereas working properties are how the material behaves when it is manipulated.

Part of Design and TechnologyCore content

Natural and manufactured timbers

Types of timbers and their uses

Timber comes from trees. Trees have to grow to full maturity (between 25 and 100 years) before they can be cut down for wood.

Hardwood

Hardwoods come from trees, which have large flat leaves that fall in the autumn. Hardwoods take longer to grow, are not easily sourced and are expensive to buy.

HardwoodPhysical propertiesWorking properties
BeechSlight pink tint, close grainTough, durable and smooth to finish
MahoganyDark-reddish colour, very close grainCuts and polishes easily, gives a fine finish, used for high-quality furniture
OakModerate-brown colour with unique and attractive grain markingsTough and durable, polishes well, used for quality furniture
BalsaPale and wide-spaced grain due to it being a fast-growing hardwoodVery soft and easy to form, often used to make models
HardwoodBeech
Physical propertiesSlight pink tint, close grain
Working propertiesTough, durable and smooth to finish
HardwoodMahogany
Physical propertiesDark-reddish colour, very close grain
Working propertiesCuts and polishes easily, gives a fine finish, used for high-quality furniture
HardwoodOak
Physical propertiesModerate-brown colour with unique and attractive grain markings
Working propertiesTough and durable, polishes well, used for quality furniture
HardwoodBalsa
Physical propertiesPale and wide-spaced grain due to it being a fast-growing hardwood
Working propertiesVery soft and easy to form, often used to make models

Softwood

Softwoods come from trees. These often have pines or needles, and they stay evergreen all year round - they do not lose leaves in the autumn. They are faster growing than hardwoods, making them cheaper to buy, and are considered a material.

SoftwoodPhysical propertiesWorking properties
PinePale coloured with aesthetically pleasing grainLightweight, easy to form, used for construction and decking
CedarLightweight, pale colour with even textureMore expensive than pine but not as strong
SoftwoodPine
Physical propertiesPale coloured with aesthetically pleasing grain
Working propertiesLightweight, easy to form, used for construction and decking
SoftwoodCedar
Physical propertiesLightweight, pale colour with even texture
Working propertiesMore expensive than pine but not as strong

Manufactured board

Manufactured boards are usually made from timber waste and . To make them more aesthetically pleasing they are often . They are cheap to buy.

Manufactured boardPhysical propertiesWorking properties
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) - used for general carpentry work and flat-pack furniture as a veneer can be applied or it can be paintedSmooth, light brown, can be veneeredSmooth and easy to finish, absorbs moisture so not suitable for outdoor use
Plywood - used for furniture, shelving, construction and toysLayers of veneer glued at 90 degree angles for strength, aesthetically pleasing outer layerEasy to cut and finish, can be stained or painted
Manufactured boardMedium-density fibreboard (MDF) - used for general carpentry work and flat-pack furniture as a veneer can be applied or it can be painted
Physical propertiesSmooth, light brown, can be veneered
Working propertiesSmooth and easy to finish, absorbs moisture so not suitable for outdoor use
Manufactured boardPlywood - used for furniture, shelving, construction and toys
Physical propertiesLayers of veneer glued at 90 degree angles for strength, aesthetically pleasing outer layer
Working propertiesEasy to cut and finish, can be stained or painted
A stack of three pieces of light plywood boards.
Image caption,
Plywood board