Black locust’s strength and elastic properties are better than those of any other species grown in Central Europe.

The most important properties (in the longitudinal direction, unless otherwise indicated) are:

Bending strength (MPa)	103 – 136 -169
Bending modulus of elasticity (MPa)	9000 – 11300 – 13600
Compression strength (MPa)
longitudinally	62 – 72 – 81
across the grains	18.5
Tensile strength (MPa)	166,8
Shear strength (tangential)	11 – 13 –  16
Impact-bending strength (J/cm2)	12 – 14 – 18
Hardness (Brinell), (MPa)
end	67 – 78 – 88
side	28
Cleavage (MPa)
tangential	0.6 – 1.1
radial	1.12

The wear resistance of various woods is usually compared to beech. The resistance of some species are in decreasing order: black locust 0.37; beech 1.00; ash 1.53; oak 1.56.
Locust’s wear resistance is unique among the European tree species.