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Blunting Effect Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Sterculia pruriens Trade Name Sterculia Family Name Sterculiaceae Synonyms Sterculia ivira, Ivira pruriens Common Names Apote, Axixa, Bofrohoedoe, Boia, Bracaia, Capote, Chicha, Chicha brava, Chichabrava, Envireira, Imbira quiaba, Ivira, Jahoballi, Kobe, Kobe he, Koebehe, Koejethie, Kroekroe amete, Maho, Maho kobe, Mahot cochon, Maipjoerie ietare, Majagua, Maneko, Manmaho, Patoelapo, Pau rei, Smooth leaf maho, Sterculia, Tacacazeiro, Tourou, Tourou-tourou, Tuxapa, Unha d'anta, Yahu Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname Common Uses Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Coffins, Concrete formwork, Construction, Furniture, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Paneling, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Veneer Environmental Profile Unknown status in natural growth range due to inadequate inofrmation Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The species occurs in the Guianas and northern Brazil. Heartwood Color Red Brown White Yellow Purple Black Orange White to cream Pale brown Pale red to pink Greenish to greyish Whitish Reddish brown Sapwood Color Yellow White Same as heartwood White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Grain Straight Figure Rays (figure) Even Distinct (figure) Interlocked Straight Rays figure Interlocked Distinct and very fine figure Texture Fine Medium Medium to coarse Coarse Medium Luster Lustrous Slightly lustrous Medium Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Durable Non-resistant to termites Very durable Perishable Resistant to termites Non-resistant to powder post beetles Moderately durable Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Heartwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Perishable Very little natural resistance Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Liable to blue stain Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 T2-D4 (4/4) US T2-D3 (8/4) US Drying Defects Distortion Splitting Moderate twist/warp Severe twisting/warping Ease of Drying Slowly Moderate Difficult Fairly difficult to penetrate with preservatives Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Tree height is 0-10 m Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 50-60 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect High to severe Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Movement in Service Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement Large Not stable/prone to move Looses its shape after manufacture Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Pre-Boring Recommended Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Holds nails well Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Sharp cutting edges recommended Planes well, to a good finish Easy to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Permeable heartwood Heartwood is permeable Sapwood is permeable Moderately resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Good Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Yields a smooth, clean finish Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Pre-boring recommended Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Veneering Qualities Good gluing qualities Easy to cut There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Drying degrade is often moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splilts Bolt preparation requires steaming Steam Bending Poor Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Radial = large Work to Maximum Load = low Weight = moderate Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = low Resists denting and marring Hardness (side grain) = medium Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8924 11748 psi Density 35 lbs/ft3 Hardness 906 lbs Impact Strength 28 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 4758 8075 psi Shearing Strength 1106 psi Stiffness 1734 1876 1000 psi Toughness 170 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 9 11 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.45 Weight 33 27 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 15 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 627 825 kg/cm2 Density 560 kg/m3 Hardness 410 kg Impact Strength 71 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 334 567 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 77 kg/cm2 Stiffness 121 131 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 195 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.63 0.77 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.45 Weight 528 432 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Bena, P.,1960,Essences Forestieres de Guyane,Bureau Agricole et Forestier Guyanais Guyana Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1985,Kobe - Sterculia pruriens Schum.,Bois et Forets des Tropiques Vol. 207 p.46 Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 4 South East Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fanshawe, D.B.,1954,Forest Products of British Guiana Part 1 Principal Timbers,Forest Department British Guiana Forestry Bulletin (New Series 2nd,Edition,No.1 Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kynoch, W., Norton, N.A.,1938,Mechanical Properties of certain tropical woods chiefly from S. America,School of Forestry and Conservation, University of Michigan Bulletin,No.7 Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. Slooten, H.J. van der,1970,Evaluation Study of eighteen Wood Species from Guyana for Veneer and,Plywood Manufacture,Forest Industries Development Survey FAO Report SF/GUY9 Tech. Report,No.13,U.N.D.P. Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing: Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC, Plants Program, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.