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The direction at right angles to the length of the fibres and other longitudinal elements of the wood.
Blackdown Stringybark | Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa
Blackdown Stringybark is a durable native Australian hardwood, suitable for a range of engineering and construction applications
Blackdown Stringybark is a durable native Australian hardwood, suitable for a range of engineering and construction applications
Overview
Blackdown Stringybark is a native hardwood species growing to a height of 45 metres, with a stem diameter of up to two metres. It is not considered a ‘true’ Stringybark, but is named for its fibrous, grey-brown bark. Heartwood ranges in colour from brown to yellow-brown. Sapwood, usually distinct, is a pale brown colour. The texture of Blackdown Stringybark timber is even, with slightly interlocked grain. Fine rays are visible with a lens.
Blackdown Stringybark is a durable timber, with a life expectancy of up to 40 years above ground, and 15 to 25 years in-ground. It is termite-resistant in accordance with AS 3660.1, and untreated sapwood is immune to Lyctid borer (powder post beetle) attack. The sapwood of this species is, however, readily impregnated with preservatives using commercially available procedures.
Blackdown Stringybark is a very hard timber (rated 1 on a 6-class scale) in relation to both indentation and hand tooling. It is readily worked by machine, and amenable to the use of all standard fastenings and fittings. It may be satisfactorily painted, stained, polished and glued using standard procedures.
The timber of this species is commonly used in engineering (mining timbers, utility pole cross-arms) and general construction (framing, cladding, flooring) applications. However, commercial availability is generally limited by proximity to Blackdown Tableland in central Queensland, about 150 kilometres southwest of Rockhampton.
Properties
Shrinkage
| Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
Tangential: |
|||||
| 7.0 | |||||
| Radial: | 4 - 5 |
Strength Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium High | Medium | Reasonably Low | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | |
| Seasoned: | SD1 | SD2 | SD3 | SD4 | SD5 | SD6 | SD7 | SD8 |
Stress Grade
| Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
| Unseasoned: | F17 | F14 | F11 | F8 | F7 |
| Seasoned: | F27 | F22 | F17 | F14 | F11 |
Density per Standard
| Unseasoned: | 0 kg/m3 |
|---|---|
| Seasoned: | 1000 kg/m3 |
Joint Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | J6 |
| Seasoned: | JD1 | JD2 | JD3 | JD4 | JD5 | JD6 |
Colour
| White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
Mechanical Properties
Durability
| Low | Moderate | Reasonably High | High | |
| (0 - 5 yrs) | (5 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 25 yrs) | (more than 25 yrs) | |
| In-Ground: |
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| (0 - 7 yrs) | (7 - 15 yrs) | (15 - 40 yrs) | (More than 40 yrs) | |
| Above ground: |
||||
| (0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
| Marine Borer Resistance: |
| Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: |
Not Susceptible |
|---|---|
| Termite Resistance: |
Resistant |
Fire Properties
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
| EFH Ignitibility: |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| EFH Spread-of-Flame Index: |
|||||||||||
| EFH Smoke-Developed Index: |
| 1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
| Fire Properties Group Number: |
| Group Number - Other: | 3 if used on MDF or particleboard |
|---|---|
| Average Specific Extinction Area: |
<250 |
| Bushfire Resistance: |
BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications |
Description
| Botanical Name: | Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa |
|---|---|
| Preferred Common Name: | Blackdown Stringybark |
| Species Type: | Hardwood |
Appearance
Blackdown Stringybark timber is of medium and even texture, with slight interlocking of grain and fine rays visible with a lens. Heartwood ranges in colour from brown to yellow-brown. Sapwood, usually distinct, is a pale brown colour.
Common Applications
Blackdown Stringybark is commonly used in engineering applications such as mining timbers and utility pole cross-arms. It is also commonly used for unseasoned framing, flooring, cladding and general building construction purposes.
Common Form
Sawn
Workability
Blackdown Stringybark is relatively easy to season and work, but due to its hardness is best worked by machine. It readily accepts paint, stains, glues, and polish. No difficulties have been encountered in the use of standard fittings and fastenings.
Origin of Timber
QLD
Readily Available
QLD
Availability - Further Information
Availability of Blackdown Stringybark timber products is generally confined to the region in which the species naturally occurs (the Blackdown Tableland in central Queensland).
Source of Timber
Native Forest
Applications
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External Cladding
The natural appeal, versatility and strength of timber makes it the superior choice for external cladding. Through specification, planning, design and finishing processes, timber cladding not only creates a building of superior strength, acoustic and thermal performance but also creates a place of beauty, style and natural appeal.
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Flooring
Whether for structural or finished flooring applications, timber offers durability, versatility and adaptability. The warmth, strength and natural beauty of timber flooring has proved enduringly popular in a wide variety of interior settings.
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Timber Portal Frames
For buildings that require large spans and column free interiors, timber portal frames provide one of the most aesthetically pleasing solutions. Utilising modern engineering technology, portal frame design transforms timber into a highly effective, efficient and economical structural product. This application guide provides a comprehensive overview of the process of using timber in the specification, fabrication and erection of portal frame structures.
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