Macrocarpa is a medium density softwood species that has a versatile range of uses and applications.
The timber has beautiful golden brown tonings and a flecked grain very similar to Kauri.
Both the heartwood and sapwood are naturally resistent to borer and can be readily used for interior structural and decorative purposes, such as cathedral beams, panelling and flooring and framing timber.
The heartwood is considered moderately durable and suitable for external uses such as weatherboards, soffit linings, decking and pergolas. Like all natural chemical free timbers, care and due consideration will be required to ensure that adequate protection or surface coating systems are applied, in continuously exposed or extreme environments, to maintain appearance and condition.
Macrocarpa has a limited in ground life expectation for the likes of fence posts and decking sub floors. However, this can be easily remedied by using concrete founds or a protective membrane lining around the 'in ground' exposed area. Feature capping or splay cutting of exposed end grains is another option to ensure ponding of surface water is removed and decay minimised.
Natural chemical free timbers require a little more loving !!
End use applications
Garden sleepers, feature fencing, pergolas, seating, interior beams, panelling, flooring, structural framing, weatherboards and decking
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Physical Properties
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Modulus of Elasticity
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5.79 GPa
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Bending strength
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87.8 MPa
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Compression strength parallel to the grain
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44.6 MPa
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Shear strength parallel to the grain
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12.7 MPa
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Side hardness (refers to indentation)
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3.44 kN
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End hardness
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4.50 kN
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Modulus of Rupture
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79N /mm2
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Density
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543 kg/m3
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Tangential shrinkage - green to 12% moisture content
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3.3%
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Radial shrinkage - green to 12% moisture content
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1.6%
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Machining
Macrocarpa has a fine grain and machines and sands well to give a high-quality finish.
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Sawing
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No Problems
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Planing and moulding
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Good finish, even in areas of ‘cross grain’ surrounding large knots, provided knives are sharp.
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Turning
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Turns well at higher speeds, similar tear out on end grain to radiata pine. Keep knives sharp and free of extractive build up.
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Boring
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Generally good, tendency for sides of hole to be torn if a twist drill is used.
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Chiselling
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Some difficulty with lower-density wood. The soft wood tends to compress rather than cut. Sharp chisels are essential.
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Sanding
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Generally sands well, with little clogging. Care required with sanding lower-density wood.
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Fastening
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Recommended to pre-drill to avoid tendency to split.
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Bending
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Poor steam bending properties.
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