ANGELIM PEDRA

Names

- Other trade names: Angelim, A. da Mata, A. Pedra, A. Rosa, A. Amarelo, A. do Para, Mirarena, Sapupira Amarela
- Scientific name: Hymenolobium spp.
- Family: Fabaceae 
Wood Description

- Color: yellowish brown, becoming pink brown with age
- Grain: slighty interlocked
- Texture: coarse
Technological Characteristics

- Green weight: 1200 kg/m3
- Specific gravity at 12% MC: 770 kg/m3 (medium to heavy)
- Tangential shrinkage (T%): 8.3
- Radial shrinkage (R%): 4.8
- Crushing strength at 12% MC: 66 N/mm2
- Modulus of elasticity at 12% MC: 16140 N/mm2
Processing

- Sawing: easy
- Drying: no important risk
Durability

- Decay: moderate to good
- Termites: poor
- Insects of dry woods: good
Uses

Exterior and interior joinery; furniture, stairs, industrial flooring; capentry, heavy contruction, bridge decking

 

CUMARU

Names

- Other trade names: Champanha, Tonka, Almendro, Brazilian Teak, Brazilian Chestnut
- Scientific name: Dipteryx spp
- Family: Fabaceae
Wood Description

- Color: brown yellow to reddish brown, with dark fine veins
- Grain: frequently interlocked, sometimes highly
- Texture: medium
Technological Characteristics

- Green weight: 1200 kg/m3
- Specific gravity at 12% MC: 1070 kg/m3 (heavy to very heavy)
- Tangential shrinkage (T%): 7.9
- Radial shrinkage (R%): 5.5
- Crushing strength at 12% MC: 105 N/mm2
- Modulus of elasticity at 12% MC: 22000 N/mm2
Processing

- Sawing: power required
- Blunting effect: moderate
- Drying: slow drying recommended
- Risks of distortion: moderately high
- Risks of checking: moderately high
Durability

- Decay: very good
- Termites: very good
- Insects of dry woods: good
Uses

Flooring, bridge, sleepers, heavy carpentry, turnery, gearing

 

GARAPA

Names

- Other trade names: Grapia
- Scientific name: Apuleia leiocarpa
- Family: Caesalpiniaceae 
Wood Description

- Color: yellow beige to yellow brown
- Grain: irregular and reverse
- Texture: average
Technological Characteristics

- Specific gravity at 12% MC: 830 kg/m3 (heavy)
- Tangential shrinkage (T%): 8.5
- Radial shrinkage (R%): 4.4
- Crushing strength at 12% MC: 102 N/mm2
- Modulus of elasticity at 12% MC: 14107 N/mm2
Processing

- Sawing: good
- Drying: difficult, need to be very slow and well-controlled
Durability

- Decay: moderate
- Termites: low
- Insects of dry woods: low
Uses

Flooring, furniture, slicing, general construction, turnery 

 
IPE / LAPACHO

Names

- Other trade names: Ebano verde, Pau d’arco, Ebene verte, Iron wood, Groenhart, Brazilian Walnut
- Scientific name: Tabebuia spp
- Family: Bignoniaceae
Wood Description

- Color: olive brown to moderately dark brown
- Grain: always interlocked, sometimes very highly
- Texture: fine to medium
Technological Characteristics

- Green weight: 1300 kg/m3
- Specific gravity at 12% MC: 1050 kg/m3 (very heavy)
- Tangential shrinkage (T%): 6.5
- Radial shrinkage (R%): 5.2
- Crushing strength at 12% MC: 95 N/mm2
- Modulus of elasticity at 12% MC: 18800 N/mm2
Processing

- Sawing: easy / power required
- Blunting effect: moderate
- Drying: no important risks but must be handled slowly
- Risks of distortion: slight
- Risks of checking: slight
Durability

- Decay: very good
- Termites: very good
- Insects of dry woods: very good
Uses

Cabinet work, industrial and decorative flooring/joinery, bridge decking, sleeper, carpentry, turnery

 
JATOBA

Names

- Other trade names: Jatai, Courbaril, Locust, Algarrobo, Brazilian Cherry
- Scientific name: Hymenaea courbaril
- Family: Caesalpiniaceae
Wood Description

- Color: pinkish brown beige to red brown
- Grain: straight, sometimes slightly interlocked
- Texture: medium
Technological Characteristics

- Green weight: 1100 kg/m3
- Specific gravity at 12% MC: 955 kg/m3 (heavy to very heavy)
- Tangential shrinkage (T%): 7.1
- Radial shrinkage (R%): 3.8
- Crushing strength at 12% MC: 107 N/mm2
- Modulus of elasticity at 12% MC: 20870 N/mm2
Processing

- Sawing: power required
- Blunting effect: moderate
- Risks of distortion: very slight
- Risks of checking: moderately high, according to the density
Durability

- Decay: moderate to very good
- Termites: moderate to very good
- Insects of dry woods: good
Uses

Cabinet work, flooring, bridge decking, interior and exterior joinery, sleepers, carpentry, turnery 

 

MARACATIARA (TIGERWOOD)

Names

- Other trade names: Muiracatiara; Gonçalo-Alvez; Guarita
- Scientific name: Astroniu graveolens
- Family: Anacardiaceae 
Wood Description

- Color: golden brown, beige with very irregular black brown veins
- Grain: generally straight; sometimes interlocked or wavy
- Texture: fine
Technological Characteristics

- Green weight: 1100 kg/m3
- Specific gravity at 12% MC: 880 kg/m3 (heavy)
- Tangential shrinkage (T%): 7.3
- Radial shrinkage (R%): 4.1
- Crushing strength at 12% MC: 76 N/mm2
- Modulus of elasticity at 12% MC: 17100 N/mm2
Processing

- Sawing: power required
- Drying: requires care
Durability

- Decay: very good
- Termites: good
- Insects of dry woods: good
Uses

 Cabinet work, decorative veneer, flooring; heavy construction, turney, 

(extracted from “Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America”, published by the International Tropical Timber Organization and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical)