TIMBERS SUITABLE FOR BENDING

W.I. DIEHM

Wood is a plastic material when heated or

treated with certain chemicals and it is therefore

Some of the individual timber characteristics to

consider are:

capable of being bent to form permanent curves. Bending ol timber may be necessary
for a variety of reasons, functional or aesthetic,

and applications for bent timber are also variable, ranging from large curved arches to small lumiture components.
The informationcontainedinthis note is aimed

Durabillty. Ability of the timberto resist decay and insect attack is an important consideration if the bent timber is to be exposed to such hazards. Adecay hazardwill existirthetimber is to be exposed lo the weather, if the article
will be wet periodically (e.9. in boats), or if it is to be used in continually damp situations or in ground contact. ln these situations timbers with low durability ratings (3 or 4) should be avoided. Sapwood of all species is non-durable and should be impregnated with a suitable preservative in accordance with the requirements ol the Timber Utilisation and Markeiing Act, or excluded lrom applications subject to decay hazards.

at helping the enthusiast to select suitable timbers for bending and to ensure that the articles produced perform satisfactorily.
TIMBER SELECTION Selection ol suitable timbers for bending is based on a number ol factors including the bending qualityol the timber, density (weight),

strength, and availability. Other important

laclors which must be kept in mind are grain orientation and seasoning characteristics. Lyctid susceptibility of the sapwood and timber
durability should also be considered to ensure that the article being made gives an adequate service lile. Bent wood is used in such items as furniture and cabinet work, boat building, cooperage, coachwork, wheel rims and sporting goods. Each use has its own special requirements which must be considered when choosing a timber to use.

Strength. The strengrth rating of the timber selected can be imponant if the article is subject
to heavy loads or sudden shocks e.g. wheel
rims.

Strength to weight ratio is an important

consideration f orti mbers to be used for sporting goods such as tennis racquets or in aircraft construction.

Graln. Straight-grained limber is essential for sharp and difficult bends. Generally, the timber should be lree from sloping or'interlocked
grain, and free of any delects such as knots
and gum veins. Small knots may be acceptable if contained on the outside of the bend and if an

Table 1 lists many Australian timbers suitable

for bending. lt also gives an indication of natural occurance and availability and lists
properties such as density, strength, durability and colour. The species list is divided into lour

elficient strapping method is used.

categories (very good, good, fair, poor) indicating suitability lor bending.

Backsawn material

is more suitable

than

quartersawn material, particu larly with species

which have prominent medullary rays, e.g. silky oak. These rays can cause wrinkling on the compression face.

ilote

l..ued by: Tirber Rosoarch,

Old. Forest Servics. BO Meiers Road, lndooroopilly, 4068 ph. gZ, 97OO

Molsture Content. There is some uncertainty

about the optimum moisture lor timber bendi ng

but most species seem to bend well at a moisture content of between 20 and 25 per
cent, andthis range should belaken as aguide when selecting timber. The higherthe rnoistu re content, the rnore likely crumpling is to occur on the inner lace of the bend. Atternatively, il the timber is too dry it is likely that lailure will occur on the outside face ol the bend where the timber is in tension. METHOD

with ammonia gas. Following treatment, they can be easily moulded or shaped and once the ammonia has evaporated, the wood stiffens and holds its new shape.

Bendlng. There are manytechniques available

for bending timber successfully. The

stretch on the convex lace'is mechanically limited by means of a supporting band along the lace and attached to it in such a manner that it prevents stretching.

nrost comrnon involves the use ol a restraining strap (see f igure 1 ). lMth this method, the amount of

Preparatlon. The timber should be machined

(dressed)belore bending othenruise saw marks and other machining delects can give rise to local failures. Thus any local concentrations of stresses which can crack the timber during the bending process, causing subsequent failure, are eliminated. To assist the bending operation, it is desirable lor the timber to be dressed to the minimum thickness required with allowances made lor shrinkage. Only a minimum amount of surf ace dressing should be done afterthe timberbend has been set.

Softenlng the Tlmber. The most commonly used method of softening or plasticizing wood is steaming, using either atmospheric or low gauge pressure. When steaming at atrnospheric pressure, one hour for every 25 mm thickness should be allowed.
Oversteaming ol the ti mbercan cause problems

Figure 1. Bendingwith the aid of a metal strap. The restraining strap usually consists of a thin strip of metalwith an adjustable block or endstop at each end. The block is placed at the end of the timberto resist any stretching ol the timber during bending. Alevercan be attachedtoone end of the strap to aid in bending the timber around the mould. The restraining strap

such as excessive shrinkage, checking and warping during re-drying.

To steam at a low pressure, a simple steamtight box kilnof sufficient sizeto accommodate the timberto be bent is allthat is required. The kiln can be constructed out of concrete, brick, welded boiler plate ortimber. lllimberis used,

it should be lined in either sheet steel

should have the same width as the timber being bent and should be strong enough to resist any forces encountered in the bending
process. Seasoning. Afterthe timber has been bent and restrained it must be dried. This will usually

or

copper.

Wood can also be softened by a variety of chemicals. Such chemicals behave like water in that they are absorlced and may cause swelling. The most commonly used is
amrnonia. Wood members are either immersed in liquid amrnonia or treated under pressure

involve reducing lhe moisture content lrom about 25 percent (steaming increases the moisture content) to the equilibrium moisture content, which, in coastal areas, is within the range of 10-15 percent.

Table

1.

Propertles of Tlmbers Sultabte tor Bendtng

Botanlcel Name

Trade Name

Distri- Ilensity Strength bution (kg/m3)

at 12% M.C.
700 1025 865

Dura- Avall. Colour Lyctld bllity ablllty Eusceplblllty

4
2 2 3
D

VERY GOOD beech,

myrde Nothofagus Tas annninghamii brigalw Aacia harpophylla C,S mahogany spur Dysorylum N
pettigrewianum

54,SD5
51,SD1

2,3

(s3),(sD4)
56,SD7 53,SD4 S4,SDs 57,SD8 56,SD6

D D

4,5 2,3
3,5 3,5 2
1

S S S S N.S. N.S. N.S. S

oak,Ulip,red
pine,celery-top

oak,silkynorthem Cardweliasublimis
Argyroden&on

N,C
N

560 800
650 520 545

4
2
2

penlatum

c c
D

pine,Huon

pine,radiata

Phyllodadus asplenilolius Darydium tranklinii Pinus radiata

Tas Tas S,NSW Vic,SA N,C,S

c
c

I
1

quandong,silver Haeocarpus
angustilolius GOOD
ash,alpine

495

ss,sD6

ash,mountain

ash,silwr
ash,silwr
Queensland
blackwood

NSW,Vic Tas Eualyptus regnans Tas,Vic Flindersia schottiana N,C,S N,C

Eucalyptus delegatensis

675 680

54,SD4 54,SD3
S4,SD5 4
-3

c c c c c c c
D

1,2 1,2
1 1

S N.S. S

Flin&rsia
bourjotiana

675
640 640 1010 910 705

54,SD5 54,SD4 52,SD2

gum,spotted

Acaciamelanorylon
Eualyptus
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus

kani

maanlata c,s
diversialor WA lraseranum S

N,S,Tas

3
2

4,5
4

s
S
N.S. S S

mahogany,rose Dysorylum
messmate siris,red siris,yellow

s3,sD2
S5,SD5 S3,SD3

3
3 3

3
3
1

obliqua Albizia toona Albizia xanthorylon

S,NSW, Vic,Tas N,C

N

770

c c c

7n
610

(ss),(sD6)
(s6),(sD7)

3 3

3S 1S 2 1S 1 1S 3S 1 1S 1S 3 1,4
N.S. N.S.

alder,rose Caldcluvia austaliensis N,C ash,hickory Flindersia illlaiana N blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis S bollywood Litsea retculata N,C,S gum,red,river Eualyptus N,C,S amaldulensis pine,kauri, Agathis microstachya N Queensland poplar,pink Euroschinus lalata N,C,S satinash,grey Eugenia gustavoides N satinay Syncarpia hillii S tallowwood Eucalyptus microarys S
POOR

FAIR

575 980 930 530 895 480 480 690 800 1010

S6,SD6 S1,SD2

32,SD2
S5,SD5 S5,SD5

(s7),(sD8)

(s7),(sDa
55,SD6 53,SD3
S2,SD2

4C 1D 2C 4C 20 4D 4D 3C 1C 1C
1 1

N.S.

N.S, S

ash,Crow's box,yellow cheesewood,white gum,rose ironbark,red maple,Queensland

pine,hoop

silkwood,bolly walnut,yeflow
Codes

N,C,S S Alstonia N,C Eucalyptus N,C,S Eualyptus siderorylon S Flindersiabrayleyana N,C Araucaia cunninghamii N,C,S Cryptocarya N Beilschmedia bancrofli N

Flindersia

australis

945

Eucalyptusmelliodora

scholais

1M0
400 800 1090 575 560 560 540

grandis

S2,SD3 S3,SD4 S,SD8

D R

53,SD4
S2,SD3

4 3
1

(s6),s06
s6,sDs
(s6),(sD7) 54,SDs

oblata

4 4
4

c c c c c
D

1S 1 't 3 3S 2 1 2S 1S

N.S.

s
N.S. N,S. N.S.

higherthestengtr. Durablllty:1=highlydurable;2=durable; 3=moderatelydurable;4=nondurable. Availabillty: C =@mmooi D=difficulttoobtain; R=rare. Colour:1 =white/yellow; 2=pinUpinkishbrown; 3=redbrown; 4=brown; 5 = motded or streaky. Lyctld Surceptlblllty: S . tusceptible; N.S. = not susceptible.

Dietrlbulion: N = North Queensland; C = Central Queensland; S= SouttrQueensland; N.S.W. = Nen,Soutr Wales; Vic = Victoria; Tas = Tasmania; SA = Souh Australia; WA = Ulsstern Australia. Strength: S = unsaSoned value: SD = seasoned value. Values containd in brackets are provisional but can be used witr confidence. The lower tre value the

Revlsed 3/92

Careful seasoning of the timber article is required if it is to retain the bend. Seasoning is normally carried out in either a kiln or under atrnospheric conditions (air drying). ll a kiln is
employed, the drying schedule should be mild. No steaming treatment o, the bend is required afterseasoning. The bends shouldbe protected lrom rain and sun if air seasoning is employed. The bends should be stacked in such a manner as to promote adequate air circulation around each piece.

thickness, for unseasoned timber, while

double this time rniaybe necessary lor

seasoned timber.

2.

Treat with permethrin (1 gram per litre) in a light petroleum solvent (e.9. kerosene). A good brush application

should be adequate but soaking lor a

lew hours would ensure

results. FURTHER TNFORMATION

satisfactory

LYCTID SUSCEPTIBLE TIMBER

Further inlormation can be obtained by

The sapwood of some hardwood timbers is
susceptible to attack by the powder post beetle ( lyctid borer). lf any wooden articles containi ng sapwood of susceptible species are to be sold, the sapwood must be preservative treated in accordance with the requirements of the Timber Utilisation and Marketing Act. Timber Note 31 contacting:

provides f urther

inf

ormation

on

the

Timber Research and Development Advisory Council(TRADAC) Tlmber House, Dunlop Street, NEWSTEAD PostalAddress: P.O. Box 2014 FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD 4006 Ph. (07) 8s21344 Fax. (07) 2522607

requirements of this Act. ll the bent articles are not lor sale and will not be exposed to the weather in use, there are a REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

number ol treatment options available as a lairly reliable means of preventing lyctid borer attack. Neither of these would be acceptable treatments against lyctid attack underthe Act, however

Kelsey, J. ed. (1985) Fine Woodworking On Bending Timber. Taunton Press 122pp.
Davidson, R.W. and Baungordt, W.G. (1970) Plasticizing Wood Wth Ammonia. Forest Prod. J. 20(3) 1e-2s.

1.

Treat with borax by preparing a 3 per

cent borax solution and soaking the timber in it. One week of soaking is
necessary for each 25 mm of sapwood

Table

1.

Propertles ot Tlmbers Suttabte tor Bendtng

Botanlcal Name

Trade Name

DisrrL llenslty Strength Dura- Ava[- Colour Lyctld butlon (kg/m3) bltlry ablllry susceprar t2% M.c. buty
54,SD5 4
2 2 3

myrde Nothofagus Tas anninghamii brigalow Acacia harpopttylla C,S mahogany spur Dyaxylum N penigrewianum oak,silky northem Cardyelia sublimis N,C oak,trlip,red Argyrodendron N pralatum pine,celery-op Phy'bcladus Tas asplenifolius pine,Huon Daaydium franklinii Tas pine,radiata Pinus radiata S,NSW Vic,SA quandong,silver Elaeocarpus N,C,S
angustifolius GOOD ash,alpine

VERY GOOD beecfr,

1025 865 560 800 650 520 545 495 675 680 675 640 640 1010 910 705 770 610
575 980 930 530

51,SDl
(S3),(SD4)

S6,SD7

s3,sD4
S4,SD5

4
2 2 4 4

S7,SD8
S6,SD6 S5,SD6

c1 c1

D D o c c D2 R1

2,3

S S S S S N.S. N.S. N.S. S

4,5
2,3 3,5

3,s

Eualyptus

ash,silwr ash,silver Flindersia Queensland bourjotiana blackwood Acaciamelanorylon N,S,Tas gum,spotted Eualypws maaiata C,S
mahogany,rose Dysorylum fraseranum
messmate siris,red siris,yellow

ash,mountain

Tas Eu@lyptus regnans Tas,Vic Hindersia schottiana N,C,S N,C

delegatensis

NSW,ViC

S4,SD4 S4,SD3 S4,SD5 S4,SD5 S4,SD4

4C 4C 3C 3C 2C 3C 3D 3C 3C 3C
4
1

1,2 1,2
,| 1

S N.S. S

sc

4,5
4 3 3
1

kani

Eualyptus Eualyptus
obliqua

diversialor

s2,sD2
S3,SD2

Albiiatana
Albiia

xanthorylon

WA S S,NSW, Vic,Tas N,C

N

s
N.S. S S S S

Ss,SDs
S3,SD3

7n

(ss),(sD6)
(S6),(SD7)

3
1

ifflaiana N Eualyptus pilularis S Litsea reticulata N,C,S gum,red,river Euelyptus N,C,S amaldulensis pine,kauri, Agathis microstachya N
Flin&rsia
Queensland

alder,rose ash,hickory bfackbutt bollywood

FAIR

Caldcluvia australiensis N,C

55,SD6

sI,sD2
52,SD2 55,SD6 55,SDs (s7),(sD8)

895
480 480 690 800 10't0

2 4 2 4 4 3
1 1

c 2 DlS c 1 cls D3S D 1

N.S.

N.S.

N.S.

satinay tallowwood
POOR

satinash,grey

poplar,pink

Euroschinus N,C,S Eugenia gustavoides N Syncarpia S Eualyptus microorys S

lalata hillii

(s7),(sDa
55,SD6 53,SD3 52,SD2

c1s c 3 c1,4S
D R

DlS

N.S.

gum,ros ironbark,red pine,hoop

ash,Crow's Flindersia australis N,C,S box,yellow Eucalyptusmelliodora S cheesewood,white Alstonia scholaris N,C
Eucalyptus

945 1040

S2,SD3

1
,|

33,SD4
S,SD8

grandis oblata

400
800 1090 575 560 560

N,C,S N,C
N N

Euelyptus sideroxylon S

53,SD4
S2,SD3

4 3
1

maple,Queensland Flindersia

brayleyana

(s6),s06
56,SD5

silkwood,bolfy walnut,yellow
Codes

Araucaia cunninghamii N,C,S

Ctyptocatya
Beilschmedia

4
4 4

bancrofli

(s6),(sD4
54,SD5

c c c c c
D

640

1S 1 1S 3 3S 2 1 2S 1S

N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S.

Distrlbutlon: N = Norh Queensland; C = Central eueensland; S= Soufi eueensland; N.S.W. NewSoutr Wales; Vic = = Victoria; Tas = 1356611ia; SA = South Australia; WA = \4lss1e, Australia. Strength: S = unseasonod value; SD = seasoned value. Values contained in brackets are provisional but can be used with confidence. The lower tre value the higherthesrengh. Durabltity: l =highlydurable; 2=durable; 3=moderatelydurable;4=nondurable. Availablllty: c =@lTllrlohi D=ditficulttoobtain; R=rare. Colour;1 =white/yellow; 2=pinUpinkishbrown;g=red/brown; a=brorn; 5 = motded or streaky. Lyctid Surceprlblfity: S r rusceptible; N.S. not iusceptible. =

Revlsed 3/92