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balsa |
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balsa: see bombax bombax (bŏm`băks), common name for the Bombacaceae, a family of deciduous trees, often tall and with unusually thick trunks, found ..... Click the link for more information. . balsaTree (Ochroma pyramidale, or O. lagopus) of the bombax family (Bombacaceae), native to tropical South America and noted for its extremely light wood, which resembles clear white pine or basswood. Because of its buoyancy (about twice that of cork), balsa has long been used for making floats for lifelines and life preservers. Its resilience makes it an excellent shock-absorbing packing material. Its insulating properties make it a good lining material for incubators, refrigerators, and cold-storage rooms. Because it combines lightness and high insulating power, it is a valuable construction material for transportation containers for dry ice (solidified carbon dioxide). It is also used in the construction of airplane passenger compartments and in model airplanes and boats. balsa 1. a bombacaceous tree, Ochroma lagopus, of tropical America 2. the very light wood of this tree, used for making rafts, etc 3. a light raft balsa [′bȯl·sə] (botany) Ochroma lagopus.A tropical American tree in the order Malvales; its wood is strong and lighter than cork. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Above the waterline, a 3/8" balsa wood core is used between fiberglass laminates for stiffness and lighter weight. ``Even then, I was interested only in constructing my own designs from raw materials such as balsa wood, paper and bits of wreckage from models my older brother had flown and crashed. Students also apply their scientific knowledge and technology skills in constructing and operating musical instruments, robots, rubber-band-powered airplanes, catapults, and balsa wood structures based on precise design criteria and performance specifications. |
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