Abstract
The present study evaluated for the first time, some strength properties and the chemical compositions of seven hardwood species grown in Northeast Egypt, namely, Acacia saligna, Delonix regia, Erythrina humeana, Ficus elastica, Leucaena leucocephala, Melia azedarach, and Meryta sinclairii. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated that the effect of wood species on the mechanical properties and chemical compositions was significant (P < 0.01). The parameters used to describe the mechanical properties and chemical compositions of the wood of the seven species differed from one species to another. The cellulose contents of the studied species, except for L. leucocephala (43.2 %), M. azedarach (44.1 %), and M. sinclairii (44.0 %), were found to be lower than those of common hardwood species. The variations in MOR, MOE, C-max, and tensile strength among the seven species were expected given the differences in wood density and chemical compositions. Except for E. humeana, the other hardwood species studied could be considered to have moderate hardness and are suitable for making floor parquets. Overall, based on the studied mechanical properties, the wood of M. azedarach and M. sinclairii showed good MOR, MOE, and C-max values, whereas E. humeana wood had the lowest such values. In terms of mechanical properties, the seven hardwood species studied in the present investigation can thus be concluded to have the following order: M. azedarach > M. sinclairii > L. leucocephala > D. regia > F. elastica > A. saligna > E. humeana.