Wood Hardness
Soft and hardwood - the Janka Hardness scale.
For wood hardness is a measure of resistance to dent and wear.
The Janka test measures the force (N, lbf) required to embed an 11.28 mm steel ball into the wood half the ball's diameter. Larger force - harder wood.
The Janka Hardness Values and Hardness Grades for some common Wood Species
| Wood | Janka Hardness (N) | Hardness Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Ebony | 16420 | Exceedingly hard |
| Ipe | 16390 | |
| Cumaru | 15470 | |
| Ebony | 14300 | Extremely hard |
| Golden Teak | 10400 | |
| Merbau | 8560 | Very hard |
| Hickory | 8100 | |
| Rosewood | 7900 | Hard |
| White Oak | 6000 | |
| Ash | 5900 | Rather hard |
| Birch | 5600 | |
| Teak | 5140 | |
| English Oak | 5000 | Firm |
| Burmese Teak | 4600 | |
| Black Walnut | 4500 | |
| Cherry | 4200 | |
| Mahogany | 3600 | |
| Douglas Fir | 2900 | Soft |
| Alder | 2600 | |
| Chestnut | 2400 | |
| Poplar | 2400 | |
| Hemlock | 2200 | |
| White Pine | 1900 | Very soft |
| Balsa | 310 |
- 1 N = 0.2248 lbf
