DEFECTS IN WOOD
NATURAL DEFECTS
1. Knots are the remains of branches that are cut through during the conversion process. They can
weaken the strength of timber due to its short or cross grains surrounding them. It is difficult to plane
(work) knotty portions of a timber.
A Live knot—has its growth rings firmly intergrown with the surrounding growth rings, making it
quite strong but difficult to work with.
A Dead knot (Loose Knots)—may be decayed or loose and eventually fall out of place because its
growth rings are not intergrown with the surrounding timber and greatly weakening the piece of
timber.
2. Shakes --are partial or complete splits between adjoining layers of the timber. They may be
caused by the relief of growing stresses in the tree, or may be a result of tree falling heavily on the
ground during felling.
i. Heart Shakes—are splits occurring from the pit of a log along the path of the rays, and are caused
by leaving the timber in log form too long in before conversion.
ii. Star shakes—a heart shape in the form of a star.
iii. Radial Shakes—are splits extending from the outside of a log inward along the path of the rays.
iv. Cup Shakes—are the result of separation of wood fibers around adjoining growth rings, where
the cell density varies. They are caused by strong winds straining the tree while it is growing or by
the shock sustained when it is felled.
ARTIFICAL DEFECTS
[Link]-hardening— occurs during klin seasoning where the exterior surface (case) of the timber
dries out and becomes hardened before the interior (inside) is dries.
2. Checks—are a separation of the wood along the grain, usually in the direction of the rays. They
are generally the result of shrinkage stresses set up by the rapid drying of surface due to effect of
the hot sun or wind on freshly sawn surface or during seasoning.
i. End Check—a split at the end a log.
ii. Heart Check—a split extending from the pith outward.
iii. Internal Check—a split occurring in the interior of a timber.
iv. Ray Check—a split that occurs along the rays.
v. Surface Check—a split occurring mainly on the surface of the timber.
vi. Through Check—a split extending from one surface to another surface, passing through the
timber.
3. Collapse—is a flattening of the cells during drying, showing uneven shrinkage on the surface of
the timber. The moisture removed from the cells has not been replaced by air.
4. Warping—is any variation of a piece of timber from a flat surface that occurs as a result of uneven
shrinkage, often caused by grain irregularities and incorrect stacking during seasoning.
FORMS OF WARPING
1. Bowing- Is a curvature along the wide surface in the direction of the length of a board. This
is caused by spacing the sticks too far apart during seasoning causing timber to sag under its
own weight.
2. Cupping- Is a concave curvature across the face of a board. This is caused by shrinkage
and bad stacking while seasoning.
3. Spring- Is a distortion or curvature along the edge of a board.
4. Twisting- is cause by spiral distortion along its length.
Waney edge- is the edge that follows the natural curve of the tree. Basically it is a bark edge,
with or without the presence of the bark.
WOOD PRESERVATIVES
Wood preservative is any substance or a chemical that is added to it to extent its life or make it
poison to insects, and control any degradation problems due to fungal rot or decay.
Timber has three main enemies:
a. Wood-boring insects,
ii. Termites
iii. Fungi.
Some of these potential threats can present themselves in our own homes by exposure to moisture,
direct sunlight, and infestation by various insects (e.g. woodworm).
Fortunately, these invasive threats can be prevented by protecting the timber with many kinds of
natural wood preservatives and synthetic wood treatments.
PRESERVATIVES TYPES
The three main forms of preservatives are:
Tar oil preservatives
Water borne preservatives
Solvent- based preservatives
Methods of Timber Preservation
Brushing
Spraying
Injecting under pressure (impregnation)
Dipping and stepping
Charring
Hot and cold open tank treatment
Brushing of Timber Preservatives
Brushings the simplest method of applying preservatives. For well-seasoned timber, oil type
preservatives are applied with good quality brushes. For better results, the applied preservative
should in hot condition. Multiple coats should be applied and certain time interval should be
maintained between successive coats.
Spraying of Timber Preservatives
Spraying is an effective technique than brushing. In this case, preservative solution is sprayed on to
the surface using spray gun. It is time saving and quite effective.
Preservative Injecting Under Pressure
The preservative is injected into the timber under high pressure conditions. Generally, creosote oil is
applied in this manner which is already discussed above. It is costly treatment process and required
special treatment plant.
Dipping and Stepping Method of Timber Preservation
Dipping is another type of preserving in which, timber is dipped directly in the preservative solution.
Hence, the solution penetrates the timber better than the case of brushing or spraying. In Some
case, the stepping or wetting of timber with preservative solution is allowed for few days or weeks
which are also quite effective process.
Charring Method of Timber Preservation
Charring is nothing but burning of timber surface, which is quite an old method of preservation of
timber. In this method, the timber surface is wetted for 30 minutes and burnt up to a depth of 15mm
from top surface. The burnt surface protects the inner timber from white ants, fungi, etc. This
method is not suitable for exterior wood works so, it is applied for wood fencing poles, telephone
pole bottoms etc.
Hot and Cold Open Tank Treatment of Timber
In this method, the timber is placed in an open tank which contains preservative solution.
This solution is then heated for few hours at 85 to 95 degree Celsius. Then, the solution is allowed to
cool and timber gets submerged with this gradual cooling. This type of treatment is generally done
for sap wood.
PROPERTIES OF TIMBER
When selecting a timber for a particular job, there are many factors to consider.
1. COST: the cost of the timber usually depends on availability and demands. A timber in high
demand but short supply will greatly increase in price.
2. WORKABILITY: considerations include if the timber cuts easily and without splitting. How
well it machine and how well it finish.
3. APPEARANCE: the visual appeal of the timber can be very important if it will be on show.
4. STRENGHT: structural timber must be strong enough to carry the load that will be imposed
upon it.
5. STABILITY: it is important to consider if the timber will remain straight, flat and dimensionally
stable or if it will move.
6. WEIGHT: timber that is strong but light is good for structural purposes.
7. DURABILITY: how resistant the timer is to rot or insect attack.
8. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION: check to see if the timber is an endangered species.
Had it been responsibly sourced?
9. HEALTH & SAFETY: some timber can be harmful (especially the dust created when working
with it).
10. TEXTURE
11. COLOR
