Acer rubrum.
Soft Maple is similar in color, grain pattern and texture to Hard Maple. It is widely used as a substitute for Hard Maple because of its similarity in color, grain pattern, etc. It is about 25% softer than Hard Maple. The sapwood of Soft Maple may be less white than Hard Maple -- the heartwood, may be more gray/tan.
General Information
Uses |
Availability |
Price |
Furniture, cabinets, moulding, toys, containers. |
Widely available in thicknesses 4/4 through 8/4. Generally available 10/4 and thicker. |
Low to moderate. |
Relative Working Properties
Machining |
Resistance to splitting in nailing |
Resistance to splitting in screwing |
Gluing |
Very Good |
Fair |
Good |
Good |
Physical Properties
Specific gravity (12% m.c.) |
Average shipping weight kilograms (kg) per cubic metre (m3) air dry |
Average volumetric shrinkage (oven dry % of green) |
Modulus of rupture (kilopascals) |
Modulus of elasticity (megapascals) |
Side hardness (newtons) |
0.47 |
564 |
12 |
61000 |
7900 |
3100 |