Grey box is a highly durable Australian hardwood often used for heavy construction applications and flooring.
Gum-topped Box, Eucalyptus Microcarpa, Eucalyptus Woollsiana, Eucalyptus Hemiphloia
Eucalyptus moluccana
![](/sites/default/files/styles/detail_image/public/EucalyptusmoluccanaGreyBox.jpg?itok=MRxytXzq)
Grey box is a tough, highly durable medium-sized Australian hardwood. It originates from the central and north coast districts of New South Wales and southern Queensland. Grey box, Eucalyptus woollsiana also occurs in parts of Victoria and South Australia.
Its heartwood is a pale, yellowish brown with the sapwood paler in appearance. It has a fine, even texture and usually features an interlocked grain. Gum veins are rarely present.
Grey box is a highly dense species, so it is quite difficult to work. It can be painted, stained and polished. Any machining or surface preparation should be done immediately prior to gluing. It is slow to dry but generally will not develop any surface checking.
Grey box is used for heavy construction, flooring, round timber wharfage, sleepers and shipbuilding.
It is mainly available in the areas in which it grows.
Shrinkage
Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
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Tangential : |
7.40%
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Radial : |
3.30%
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Unit Movement Tangential: |
0.43%
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Unit Movement Radial: |
0.23%
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Strength Group
![Strength groups are given for unseasoned (S1-S7) and seasoned (SD1-SD8) timber in accordance with AS 2878. S1 and SD1 yield the highest strength and stiffness whereas S7 and SD8 yield the lowest.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium High |
Medium |
Reasonably Low |
Low |
Very Low |
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Unseasoned: |
S1 |
S2 |
S3 |
S4 |
S5 |
S6 |
S7 |
S8 |
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Seasoned: |
SD1 |
SD2 |
SD3 |
SD4 |
SD5 |
SD6 |
SD7 |
SD8 |
|
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Stress Grade
![A stress grade is defined in AS 1720 as the classification of timber for structural purposes by means of either visual or machine grading. The stress grade indicates the basic working stresses and stiffnesses to be used for structural design purposes. Measured in MPa.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
Unseasoned: |
F27 |
F17 |
F14 |
F11 |
F8 |
Seasoned: |
F34 |
F27 |
F22 |
F17 |
F14 |
Density per Standard
![Seasoned density is based on moisture content of 12%. Unseasoned density is an approximation as it depends on the moisture content at the time of measurement. Measured kg/m3.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Seasoned: |
1105kg/m3
|
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Unseasoned: |
1230kg/m3
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Joint Group
![The joint group is a classification of the strength of a species in joint design. The values are from 1 (very high strength) to 6 (very low strength).](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
Very High |
High |
Reasonably High |
Medium |
Low |
Very Low |
|
Unseasoned: |
J1 |
J2 |
J3 |
J4 |
J5 |
J6 |
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Seasoned: |
JD1 |
JD2 |
JD3 |
JD4 |
JD5 |
JD6 |
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Colour
![The colour of seasoned heartwood can vary between species and often within a species. The information provided should be used as a general guide only. In most cases, the colour of sapwood is either a lighter shade of the heartwood or a white/cream colour.](/themes/custom/woodsolutions/images/tooltip.png)
White, yellow, pale straw to light brown | Pink to pink brown | Light to dark red | Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky | |
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Mechanical Properties
Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned: |
98
|
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Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
143
|
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
13
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Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
16
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Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: ![]() |
50
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Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
78
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Impact - Unseasoned: |
19
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Impact - Seasoned: |
15
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Toughness - Unseasoned: |
|
Toughness - Seasoned: |
|
Hardness - Unseasoned: |
11
|
Hardness - Seasoned: |
15
|
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: |
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(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5) | (21 - 40 yrs) | (41 - 64 yrs) | (More than 60 yrs) | |
Marine Borer Resistance: |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility: |
Susceptible |
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Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other: |
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Termite Resistance: |
Resistant
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Fire Properties
Critical Radiance Flux - Lower: |
2.2 and <4.5 |
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Critical Radiance Flux - Higher: |
≥4.5 |
Smoke Development Rate: |
<750
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Average Specific Extinction Area: |
<250
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Bushfire Resistance: |
BAL 12.5 and 19 – All AS3959 required applications
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Grey box has heartwood that is a pale, yellowish brown with the sapwood paler in appearance. It has a fine, even texture and usually features an interlocked grain. Gum veins are rarely present.
Grey box is very similar in appearance to coast grey box.
Tough and highly durable, grey box is mainly used for heavy engineering construction and flooring.
It is also used for cladding, bridges, wharves, shipbuilding, piles, poles and sleepers. Grey box is also an excellent fuel wood.
Grey box is a highly dense species so it is quite difficult to work. It can be painted, stained and polished. Any machining or surface preparation should be done immediately prior to gluing. It is slow to dry but generally will not develop any surface checking.
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