Investigation of selected properties of the black elder wood (Sambucus nigra L.)

Abstract

Investigation of selected properties of the black elder wood (Sambucus nigra L.). The work has defined the selected chemical, physical and mechanical properties of the black elder wood, such as content of non-structural substances, shrinkage and density, speed of sound propagation, dynamic modulus of elasticity, acoustic resistance and sound attenuation, modulus of elasticity, bending strength, compressive strength, Brinell hardness, cold and hot-water extractives content and pH of hot-water extract. The black elder wood is hard and moderately shrinking. Mechanical properties are reduced by going from the pith to the perimeter, which is most likely affected by the increasing twist of the fibres. The distance from the pith also affects the acoustic properties and the size of the shrinkage, while the density remains constant.