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AMERICAN HARD MAPLE
V. Ryan © 2008
 
Acer saccharum
Family: Aceraceae

Commercial names: Rock Maple, Sugar Maple, (UK, Canada and USA); White Maple (sapwood) USA.

Distribution: Canada and Eastern USA.
 
 
 

General Description: Cream-white with a reddish tinge. Large trees may have dark brown heart. Usually straight grained but sometimes curly or wavy. Fine brown lines give an attractive growth ring figure on plain sawn surfaces. Texture is fine and even. Weight average about 720 kg/m3 (45 lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.72.

Mechanical Properties: High in all strength properties except stiffness which is medium. It has a very good steam bending classification.

Working Properties: A difficult wood to work with a moderate blunting of cutting edges. A reduced cutting angle is required with wavy or curly grained material. Pre-bore for nailing or screwing; takes glue and polish satisfactorily. The increasing demand for American Cherry with the inevitable increase in prices has caused manufactures to consider stained Hard Maple as a substitute as the grain of both species is very similar. Unfortunately Hard Maple does not take stain evenly and great care should be taken when finishing in order to obtain the colour required.

Durability: The heartwood is non-durable and the sapwood is liable to attack by furniture beetle. Growth defects caused by insects (pith flecks) are sometimes found. The heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.

Uses: Has a high resistance to abrasion and wear and is used for all heavy-duty flooring. Also used for furniture and panelling, textile machinery rollers, shoe lasts, parts of piano actions, musical instruments, sports goods, butchers blocks, dairy and laundry equipment and plywood. It is excellent for turnery.

 
 
 
 
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