Scientific name

Castanea sativa Mill

Other names

English: Chestnut

Geographic origin

Europe and Asia

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: Yellowish white colour
&;8226; Heartwood: brown to salmon-pink brown colour
&;8226; Fiber: Straight
&;8226; Grain: medium size
&;8226; Characteristic defects: Knots and ring shakes.

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: Capable of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: No capable of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Easy and with no difficulties
&;8226; Drying process: Slow. Risk of collapse, cementation and inside and outside crack formation
&;8226; Planing process: Easy
&;8226; Gluing process: Acid wood, risk reacting to alkaline glues
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: Pre-drilling is required
&;8226; Finish: Risks derived from its acidity

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity 590 kg/m3 semi-light wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.39 % stable wood
- Relation between contractions 1.54% no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 2.5 Semi-softwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 710 kg/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 100,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 460 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to parallel traction 1,280 kg/cm2