Technical guide
Balsa wood density grades
Density defines the weight, stiffness and strength of every piece of balsa. At ECUBALSHEET we weigh every sheet, block and strip and grade it into four grades, so every lot arrives with the density you ordered.
What density means in balsa
Density is the weight of the wood per unit of volume, in kg/m³ or lb/ft³ (1 lb/ft³ = 16.018 kg/m³). Balsa ranges from 80 to 300 kg/m³ within the same tree: that is why ordering balsa is not enough, you have to order a grade.
The four grades by product
| Grade | Sheets and strips | Balsa glued blocks | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | 5 – 8 lb/ft³ (80 – 128 kg/m³) | 85 – 115 kg/m³ (5.3 – 7.2 lb/ft³) | The lightest. Where weight rules: model aircraft, free flight, scale models. |
| Standard | 6 – 15 lb/ft³ (96 – 240 kg/m³) | 135 – 176 kg/m³ (8.4 – 11.0 lb/ft³) | General purpose. The most requested grade for hobby, distribution and crafts. |
| Heavy | 10 – 18 lb/ft³ (160 – 288 kg/m³) | 200 – 242 kg/m³ (12.5 – 15.1 lb/ft³) | More strength and stiffness. Structural parts, fine carving, industry. |
| Extra heavy | 14 – 20 lb/ft³ (224 – 320 kg/m³) | 240 – 288 kg/m³ (15.0 – 18.0 lb/ft³) | The densest and hardest. Maximum compression and impact resistance. |