Purple Heart Timber

Purple Heart Timber (Wood) Information

Common Name: Purple Heart

Botanical Name: Peltogyne venosa

Other Common Names: Purpleheart, Amarante, Amaranth, Guarabú, Koroboreli, Morado, Nazareno, Palo morado, Pau roxo, Pelo morado, Purperhart, Saka, Sakavalli, Tananeo, Violetwood

Common Uses: Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Bobbins, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Filter press plates, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Kitchen cabinets, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Marquetry, Mine timbers, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Picker sticks, Radio, stereo, TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Sculpture, Shade rollers, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Shuttles, Specialty items, Spindles, Spools, Sporting Goods, Stencil & chisel blocks, Stools, Sucker rods, Tables , Tool handles, Turnery, Umbrella handles , Utility furniture, Veneer, Wardrobes, Woodwork

Region: Central America, Latin America

Country: Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Purple Heart Numerical Values

Numerical Values for: Peltogyne venosa Category Green Dry Unit

Bending Strength 13690 19220 psi Crushing Strength (Perp.) 1530 psi Max. Crushing Strength 7020 10320 psi Static Bending (FSPL) 9360 12770 psi Stiffness 2000 2270 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 15 18 in-lbs/in3 Hardness 1860 lbs Shearing Strength 2220 psi Toughness 224 in-lbs Specific Gravity 0.67 0.77 Weight 55 lbs/cu.ft. Density (Air-dry) 52 lbs/cu.ft. Radial Shrinkage (G->OD) 3 % Tangential Shrink. (G->OD 6 % Volumetric Shrink. (G->OD 10 %

Purple Heart Wood Descriptions

Tree & Wood Descriptions for: Peltogyne venosa

Product Sources It is not known at present whether some material from this species is available from sustainably managed, salvaged, recycled, or other environmentally responsible sources. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) reports that timber production from this species is regular. The material is exported at a low but regular rate. Supplies are reported to be ample, but the wood is fairly expensive. It is reported to cost more than mahogany but less than teak. Although it has not found wide demand, Purpleheart is reported to be available on the US market in both the lumber and veneer forms. Tree Data Mature Purpleheart trees are usually tall and attain a height of about 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m), and a diameter of up to 48 inches (120 cm), usually between 18 and 36 inches (45 and 90 cm). Sapwood Color The sapwood is creamy white or off-white in color, and is very distinct from the heartwood. The color has also been described as pinkish cinnamon with light brown streaks, and is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide. Heartwood Color The heartwood is initially dull brown, but it rapidly changes to a bright, vibrant purple. Prolonged exposure darkens the wood to a dark-purplish brown or dark brown, but the original color is reported to be easily restored by recutting to expose new wood. Color variation between boards is reported to be moderate to high. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration and steaming is reported to affect the color. Peltogyne timbers are reported to vary widely in color between, and probably within species. Light & Air-Induced Changes Treatment against ultra-violet fading has been suggested since the wood turns gray-brown upon exposure to sunlight. A treatment with Armorall, the car finish product, under lacquer is reported to maintain the original color well. Grain The grain is typically straight, sometimes wavy, roey, or irregular. Texture The wood has a medium to fine texture. Luster The wood exhibits a medium to high luster. Odor There is no characteristic odor or taste. Movement in Service The wood is reported to be dimensionally stable, and shows only small movement in use. Natural Durability Peltogyne heartwood is rated as highly resistant to attack by decay fungi, very resistant to dry-wood termite attack, and slightly resistant to attack by marine borers. The wood is also reported to be resistant to chemicals such as acids. Resistance to Impregnation The heartwood is reported to be extremely resistant to impregnation but the sapwood is treatable. Exudates Working the wood with dull cutting tools may cause gum exudation. Strength Properties Strength properties of timber from the genus are reported to be between those of European beech (Fagus sylvatica ) and Greenheart (Ocotea rodiaei ). Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is often very high. Maximum crushing strength, or compression parallel to grain, is exceptionally high. It is hard, and quite resistant to denting. It is a very heavy wood, with very high density.

Purple Heart Working Properties

Working Properties for: Peltogyne venosa

Blunting Effect Cutting tools may be gummed up if they are not very sharp. Blunting is rated as moderate to severe. Cutting Resistance Peltogyne timbers are reported to be moderately difficult to saw. Tools usually require frequent sharpening. Slow feed rates and specially tipped cutters are suggested. Planing Peltogyne timbers are reported to be moderately difficult to work in most machining operations including planing, turning, boring, and moulding. They respond rather poorly to ordinary tools, and working with dull cutters may cause the wood to heat up and exude resin which can considerably increase machining difficulty. Slower feed rates and specially tipped cutters, or sharp, high-speed steel knives are suggested. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees has also been recommended, especially when planing and moulding material with interlocked or wavy grain. Gluing The material is reported to be easy to glue. Nailing The wood requires to be pre-bored, but nail-holding capabilities are reported to be good. Sanding The material is reported to be fairly difficult to sand. Polishing Polishing properties are reported to be rather good. Staining The material is reported to take finishes rather well. There is a tendency for some finishes to bleed, but reports indicate that water-based finishes hold color better. The use of spirit finishes are reported to remove the purple coloring in the wood. Steam Bending The wood steam bends fairly well. Response to Hand Tools Response to hand tools is reported to be only fair. Purple Heart Drying Properties Drying for: Peltogyne venosa Ease of Drying Drying properties are reported to vary. Difficulty in air-drying varies from easy to moderately difficult, and drying rate range from slow to fairly rapid. Moisture extraction from center of thicker stock is reported to be rather difficult. Drying Defects Degrade from warping and splitting is reported to be slight. Kiln Schedules T6 - D2 (4/4); T3 - D1 (8/4) US Schedule E - United Kingdom T/R Ratio 2.00 This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window). All information gathered from

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