Physical and mechanical properties of Pinus leucodermis wood

Abstract

The present work reports on the main physical and mechanical properties of Pinus leucodermis mature wood, one of the least studied coniferous species in south-east Europe. Pinus leucodermis heartwood specimens were found to have average density values of 0.73 g cm⁻³ at equilibrium moisture content of 11.5% and average density of 0.64 g cm⁻³ under oven-dry conditions. The overall tangential shrinkage was 3.4% and the radial shrinkage was 1.9%. The modulus of rupture was on average 77 N mm⁻², while the static modulus of elasticity averaged 7087 N mm⁻². The hardness of P. leucodermis heartwood using the modified Janka test was 33.4 N mm⁻² in the transverse direction and 48.0 N mm⁻² in the longitudinal direction, while its compression strength parallel to grain was approximately 41.6 N mm⁻².

Keywords:

• Bosnian pine
• heartwood
• Pinus leucodermis wood

Acknowledgements

No funding has been received for the research work. The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr. Ioannis Giannoulas of TEI Larissa.