Sawdust specific weight: weight of 1 m³ by wood species
When wood is processed, small wood particles are formed: sawdust. Particle size depends on the type of tool used. In household and production practice, sawdust is often treated as a woodworking waste, while its bulk density varies greatly because of wood species, moisture, fraction and compaction. Therefore, the weight is determined by weighing a specific batch or using tabular reference values.
Uses of Sawdust
Sawdust is widely used in construction, agriculture, and in the production of fuel pellets for heating equipment.
- Construction.
Woodworking industry waste, or sawdust, is used to produce wood-sawdust boards. They are used in the construction of interior walls and partitions and for flooring. Fine wood fraction is also used to produce sawdust concrete, thermoporite and other construction materials. Resins are used as binders, and the composition also contains antiseptic substances and flame-retardant additives.
Some types of concrete contain sawdust. Lightweight concretes such as sawdust concrete, wood concrete and gypsum-sawdust concretes contain woodworking waste as a filler.
Thermiz boards, consisting of sawdust, larger shavings and gypsum, are used as thermal insulation for walls, roofs and ceilings.
- Agriculture.
Sawdust is used as bedding in animal husbandry because it absorbs water well and is very inexpensive. Gardeners use it as mulch under plants.
- Abrasive.
Because of its mild abrasive and absorbent properties, sawdust is used in some polishing processes, for cleaning industrial floors, for cleaning carpet and fur products, and as an auxiliary filler or process material in different industries.
- Packaging and fillers.
Low weight and low cost make this material one of the most accessible options for filling voids when packaging fragile ceramic and glass products. As a filler, sawdust is used in the production of inexpensive plastics, porous brick and some types of roof tiles.
- Pellets.
Pellets as an alternative to conventional fuel have long been used in European countries and are gradually becoming popular locally. Pellet boilers with high heat output use wood granules as a convenient solid fuel.
Weight of Wood Sawdust
Depending on wood species and particle size, bulk density, or the weight of 1 cubic meter of sawdust, may vary.
| Wood species | Average bulk density (kg/m³) | Weight of 1 cubic meter of sawdust (kg) | Wood species | Average bulk density (kg/m³) | Weight of 1 cubic meter of sawdust (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia | 215 | 182-225 | Larch | 186 | 151-186 |
| Ash | 210 | 146-266 | Birch | 182 | 143-216 |
| Beech | 190 | 174-230 | Pine | 146 | 87-213 |
| Hornbeam | 213 | 207-223 | Chestnut | 182 | 168-202 |
| Oak | 227 | 193-288 | Pear | 188 | 164-199 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 1 m³ of sawdust weigh?
The weight of 1 m³ of dry sawdust depends on wood species and is often roughly 87-288 kg in the table. Wet or compacted sawdust will be heavier.
What affects sawdust bulk density?
The main factors are wood species, particle size, moisture, bark content and compaction during storage or transport.
Can sawdust be calculated by solid wood density?
No. Sawdust bulk density is much lower than solid wood density because there is a lot of air and void space between particles.