Tensile properties of cork in the tangential direction: Variation with quality, porosity, density and radial position in the cork plank

The behaviour of cork under tensile stress in the tangential direction was studied using cork planks of two commercial quality classes and samples taken at three radial positions in the cork planks. The stress–strain curves showed a linear elastic region approximately until 2% strain (stress at 0.4 MPa), followed by a region of decreasing slope up to the fracture at an average stress of 0.6 MPa (strain of 5%). The radial position in the cork plank was a highly significant factor of variation in the tensile properties. The tensile properties showed statistically significant correlations with cork density and porosity.