Collection: Red Ironbark Timber

Red Ironbark is a durable and visually striking Australian hardwood, renowned for its deep red heartwood and exceptional strength. This hardwood grows naturally across a broad range from Victoria to southern Queensland, thriving on the western slopes of New South Wales. Part of the distinctive ironbark group of eucalypts, it is easily recognized by its deeply furrowed, dark grey to black bark. Red Ironbark has been a preferred structural timber in Australia for over 200 years, valued for its outstanding performance in weather-exposed and heavy-duty applications.

Appearance of Red Ironbark Timber

The heartwood of Red Ironbark displays a rich, dark red to red-brown hue, contrasting vividly with its pale yellow sapwood. The timber has a fine and even texture with an interlocked grain that adds a subtle visual depth. Its striking color and grain patterns make it as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical for structural and decorative uses.

Applications of Red Ironbark Timber

Red Ironbark is highly durable and hardwearing, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. It is frequently used in heavy engineering, transport, and marine construction, including wharf and bridge members, poles, railway sleepers, and mining timbers. In building construction, Red Ironbark is suitable for flooring, decking, cladding, framing, and poles. Its durability and rich appearance also make it a sought-after material for both indoor and outdoor furniture, joinery, and expressed hardwood structures. Additionally, it is well-suited for fencing and high-performance decking, both in domestic and commercial contexts.

Workability of Red Ironbark Timber

Red Ironbark is extremely dense and heavy, with a fine and interlocked grain that can make it difficult to work. It is hard to machine and requires careful handling during drying to minimize surface checking. While this density limits its use for intricate detailing, the timber sands and finishes well, producing a smooth and refined surface for applications requiring a polished aesthetic.

Durability of Red Ironbark Timber

Classified as a Class 1 timber for both in-ground and above-ground applications, Red Ironbark offers unmatched durability. Its natural resistance to decay and insects ensures it performs exceptionally well in harsh environments, making it ideal for long-term structural and outdoor use.

Origin and Availability of Red Ironbark Timber

Red Ironbark is native to Australia and is widely available across New South Wales, Victoria, and southern Queensland. While the tree’s tendency to develop hollow piping in the trunk can affect sawn timber recovery rates, the timber remains a reliable choice for high-quality structural and decorative projects.

 Very LowLowMediumHighVery High
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Tangential :   6.30% 
Radial :   3.50% 
Unit Movement Tangential:   0.37% 
Unit Movement Radial:   0.27% 

Very High

High

Reasonably High

Medium High

Medium

Reasonably Low

Low

Very Low

Unseasoned:

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

S6

S7

S8

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Seasoned:

SD1

SD2

SD3

SD4

SD5

SD6

SD7

SD8

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 Structural
No. 1
Structural
No. 2
Structural
No. 3
Structural
No. 4
Structural
No. 5
Unseasoned:F27F17F14F11F8
Seasoned:F27F22F17F14F11
Seasoned:

 

1050kg/m3

 

Unseasoned:

 

1160kg/m3

 

Very High

High

Reasonably High

Medium

Low

Very Low

Unseasoned:

J1

J2

J3

J4

J5

J6

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Seasoned:

JD1

JD2

JD3

JD4

JD5

JD6

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 White, yellow, pale straw to light brownPink to pink brownLight to dark redBrown, chocolate, mottled or streaky
  
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Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned:107 MPa
Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned:149 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned:15 GPa
Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned:17 GPa
Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned:53 MPa
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned:79 MPa
Impact - Unseasoned:20 J
Impact - Seasoned:13 J
Toughness - Unseasoned:High - 25 Nm and above
Toughness - Seasoned:Medium - 15 - 24 Nm
Hardness - Unseasoned:10.7
Hardness - Seasoned:11.9
 LowModerateReasonably HighHigh
 (0 - 5 yrs)(5 - 15 yrs)(15 - 25 yrs)(more than 25 yrs)
In-Ground:  Check mark
 (0 - 7 yrs)(7 - 15 yrs)(15 - 40 yrs)(More than 40 yrs)
Above ground:  Check mark
 (0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5)(21 - 40 yrs)(41 - 64 yrs)(More than 60 yrs)
Marine Borer Resistance: Check mark 
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EFH Spread-of-Flame Index:        
EFH Smoke-Developed Index:         

Critical Radiance Flux - Lower:

>2.2 and <4.5

Critical Radiance Flux - Higher:

<4.5

Smoke Development Rate:

<750

1 - non-combustible2 - reasonably non-combustible3 - slightly combustible4 - combustible

Fire Properties Group
Number:

Group Number - Other:

3 if used on MDF or particleboard ≥12mm; veneer thickness 0.6-0.85mm

Average Specific Extinction Area:

<250

Bushfire Resistance:

BAL 12.5, 19 and 29 – All AS3959 required applications