How much does maple expand and contract?

Hard maple, a durable and visually appealing wood, exhibits notable dimensional changes in response to varying relative humidity (RH) levels. These fluctuations in RH have a direct impact on the wood's physical dimensions, particularly its width and thickness.

When the RH undergoes a significant shift, hard maple undergoes a corresponding change in size. Specifically, a 3 percent change in moisture content (MC) triggers a tangential dimensional variation of approximately 1 percent. This means that the wood expands or contracts parallel to the grain rings.

The radial dimension, on the other hand, experiences a different rate of change. A more pronounced 6 percent MC variation results in a 1 percent change across the grain rings. This underscores the anisotropic nature of wood, where its properties vary depending on the direction considered.

These dimensional changes are crucial considerations for woodworkers and designers, as they affect the fit and finish of products made from hard maple. Understanding these dynamics enables them to account for potential expansion or contraction during the manufacturing process.

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