The Source of Balsa Wood
Balsa wood is a very light but strong wood and its source is the balsa tree. Its scientific name is "ochroma lagopus" and it is used for modeling and in the boating industry. The name of balsa is a Spanish word meaning "raft." Previously it was believed to be a weed, due to its enormous leaves that grow between 12 and 20 inches. The tree can grow 98 feet tall and needs a warm climate with drainage and rainfall.
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Origins of the Balsa Tree
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The balsa tree originates in Central and South America. The biggest exporter of balsa wood is Ecuador, because it has the perfect climate to allow balsa to grow. The balsa tree needs a warm climate with good drainage and plenty of rainfall to grow. It became very popular and useful due to its strange combination of lightweight and strength, especially during the Second World War, when it was used for combat aircraft.
How Balsa Grows
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The balsa tree grows in scattered groups, because its seeds are spread by wind. Though it produces a great number of seeds, only a few of them grow. The seed needs to land on a good terrain and needs sunlight to grow. This is one of the main reasons that people found balsa trees growing on their plantations. The tree grows very fast and the best wood comes from trees between 6 and 10 years old. After 10 years the inner core starts to rot and the wood becomes useless.
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How Balsa Is Dried
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The balsa tree contains only 40 percent solid matter. The cells are large, with thin walls, and are filled with water. The moisture needs to be brought down to 6 percent in order to have good-quality balsa wood. Before cutting it into sheets, the balsa tree needs to dry in a kiln for a couple of weeks.
Types of Grain
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Balsa wood has three types of grain: A, B and C. These are determined by how the tree is cut into sheets. The A grain, also called tangent cut, is very flexible and can be bent easily. The B grain, also known as random cut, is a combination of A and C grains and it combines their features. The B grain is the most commonly used in modeling. The C grain, also called quarter grain, is rigid and is the most warp resistant.
Where to Buy Balsa Wood
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Balsa wood can be bought online, can also be found in many hobby stores. It is better to buy it from a store, because you can actually see and touch the wood before you buy it. This way you can make sure that is exactly the type of grain you need. Also, in a store you can weigh it. Weight is very important while constructing an airplane model.
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References
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- Photo Credit flickr.com
