hardwood · Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam wood properties
Also known as: blue beech.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Carpinus caroliniana |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,693,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.79 |
| Density (approx) | 49 lb/ft³ (4.1 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 1,780 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 11.4% / 5.7% |
| Region | Eastern North America |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of American Hornbeam weighs about 16.4 lb (roughly 49 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 1,780 lbf is harder than about 75% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: fuelwood, wheels, tool handles, shafts, small turned parts.
Durability: Non-durable and insect-prone, yet remarkably tough against abrasion and surface wear.
Workability: Dense and tough enough to be hard to cut, but it turns superbly and finishes cleanly.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to American Hornbeam:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (which cites the USDA FPL Wood Handbook). American Hornbeam is not individually listed in the printed FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient chart, so CT/CR are omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.