The Lightest Wood in the World Used for Aircraft Parts

This is the lightest commercial wood in the world, commonly used in daily life, and many will be surprised to learn about it.

The Balsa tree is the lightest tree in the world.

Referred to as the lightest tree in the world, the Balsa tree (scientific name: Ochroma pyramidale) is also known as basswood or rabbit’s foot, belonging to the Malvaceae family.

This tree is native to regions from southern Mexico to southern Brazil. Today, it can be found in many countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Colombia, and Guinea.

Although it is a timber-producing tree, it has the lowest hardness and weight. It absorbs a significant amount of water, with Balsa wood weighing only 0.1g per cm²—this is the reason why Balsa wood is the lightest wood in the world.

This large tree species grows very quickly, reaching heights of up to 30 meters with a trunk diameter of 1 to 1.2 meters when mature (approximately 15 years). However, the lifespan of this tree is relatively short, lasting only about 40 years. The older Balsa trees tend to be smaller in size.

With its lightweight and flexibility, Balsa wood has excellent applications due to its buoyancy, sound insulation, ability to bend, and good thermal insulation, all while boasting an attractive appearance. Balsa wood is used for making model kits, housing, souvenirs, and more. Due to its unique properties, this wood is also used in certain components of airplanes.

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