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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 Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing 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 Peltogyne paniculata Trade Name Purpleheart Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Peltogyne paniculata Common Names Algarrobito, Algarrobo, Amarante, Amaranth, Amarantholz, Barabu, Bois bagot, Bois de coeur, Bois pourpre, Bois puorpre, Bois violet, Daba, Dachitan, Ellongrypho, Guarabu, Guarabu branc, Guarabu preto, Guarabu rajado, Guarabu roxo, Guarabussu, Guarado vermelho, Hoepelhout, Koeroeboerelli, Kooroobooelli, Koorooboovelli, Koroboreli, Koroborelli, Kuroburelli, Kuruburelli, Lastan, Legno amaranto, Legno porpora, Legno violetto, Madera purpurea, Malako, Marado, Marako, Marawineroo, Morado, Moriadiana, Mu, Nazareno, Palo concha, Palo morado, Palo violeta, Pao rojo, Pao roxo, Pau ferro, Pau roxo, Pinyaukun, Poerprehati, Pourpre, Puperhart, Purperhart, Purpleheart, Purplewood, Purpuurhart, Rajado, Rarabu, Sacka, Sackaballi, Saka, Sakavalli, Sapater, Simirirang, Tananeo, Tangapaou, Tannaneo, Violet wood, Violetholz, Violetwood, Zapatero, Zeedrat Regions of Distribution Central America, Latin America, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Columbia, French Guiana, Guyana, Mexico, Suriname, Venezuela Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Construction, Decks, Decorative veneer, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Door, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Harbor work, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Marquetry, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Railroad ties, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stair rails, Stairworks, Structural work, Tables , Tables, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks, Wharf construction, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Status within its natural growth range has not been officially assessed Distribution Overview The name Purpleheart is the trade of timber produced by about 20 species in the genus Peltogyne, including P. paniculata, which are found in Central America and tropical South America, from Mexico to southern Brazil. They are most common in the Amazon basin, and also grow in Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, and Venezuela Heartwood Color Brown Black Green/grey Yellow Red Orange Purple Dark brown Brown Greenish to greyish Red The heartwood is dull-brown when freshly cut, but it changes rapidly to the vivid and well known purple color. Prolonged exposure to ultra-violet rays of the sun tones down the color to a medium or dark purple-brown. Recutting is reported to restore the wood to its original color Sapwood Color White Yellow White to yellow Well defined Pale red when freshly cut, but ages to a rich red color Not always clearly differentiated from the heartwood Different than heartwood Becomes bright red, coral pink with dark streaks, purplish-brown, or black with age It is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide in the mature tree Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Wavy Stripe (figure) Closed Even Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Wavy Striped figure Distinct figure The grain is typically straight. Material with slightly irregular grain exhibits a particularly interesting grain pattern on quartersawn surfaces. Texture Medium Fine Fine to medium Fine Medium Fair to medium coarse Luster Lustrous Dull Pronounced Medium Natural Durability Very durable Resistant to termites Resistant to marine borers Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Highly resistant to decay The timber is prone to blue-stain, has high resistance to acids and is usually used in the untreated condition Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is slow Drying Defects Checking Slight surface checking Moderate twist/warp Expect resin/gum exudation Moderate end spitting Slight end splitting Slight twist/warp Severe end splitting Warping and twisting may occur during drying. There may also be occasional checking but these close up tightly at the end of kiln-drying. Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Moderate Difficult Variable results. Easy Both 1-inch and 2-inch (25 and 50 mm) boards are reported to kiln-dry fairly rapidly from the green condition despite very high initial moisture contents (up to 200%). Drying time can be reduced considerably if stock is air-seasoned to 30% moisture content before kilning Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Rapid Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Naturally dries at a moderate speed Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 20-30 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm The trees are tall, attaining heights of 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m) and trunk diameters of up to 48 inches (120 cm), but usually between 18 and 36 inches (45 and 90 cm). Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber production from this species is regular. The material is exported at a low but regular rate. Supplies are ample, but the wood is fairly expensive. It costs more than mahogany but less than teak. Although it has not found wide demand, Purpleheart is available on the US market in both the lumber and veneer forms. Limited quantities of Purpleheart in long lengths and wide boards are available on the European market at prices that are comparable to those of medium cost hardwoods. For construction use, Purpleheart is available for shipping in the dry condition only Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Mechanical properties of the wood are reported to lie somewhere between those of Greenheart (Ocotea ) and Oak (Quercus ). It has exceptional tolerance for shock loading. Purpleheart is highly desired by hobbyists and craftsmen who use the hard heavy wood in small projects. To protect against ultra-violet fading, a coat of Armorall, a car finish product, under a lacqeur application has been suggested. The treatment is reported to hold the color of the wood rather well against fading Blunting Effect High to severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe The wood has some blunting effect on cutting tools Boring Fairly easy to very easy Use very sharp cutting edges to prevent grain from tearing Good (75+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results) Easy Difficult Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting resistance with dry wood is variable Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Low cutting resistance because of softness Gum in the wood may pose problems. Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Glues well Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderately easy to mortise Easy to mortise The wood requires very sharp cutting edges for smoothly machined surfaces Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Moulding ease is moderate Good finishing results Easy to mould Moulding properties are generally good in straight-grained material, especially if cutters are kept sharp. Wood containing wavy or interlocked grain tends to be difficult to mould Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Medium Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Pre-Boring Recommended Easy to nail Pre-Boring is necessary Possible if prebored Holds nails well Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to plane Ease of planing is moderate Planes well, to a good finish Hard, heavy wood dulls cutting edges severely High density and gummy resin content are reported to make Purpleheart less than easy to work in most machining operations. Sharp, high-speed steel knives, as well as 15 degree cutting angles have been recommended. Material with interlocked or wavy grain are especially difficult to plane and mould Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Variable qualities Responds very well to hand tools Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Routing yields good results Responds well to very sharp cutting tools Moderately easy Sanding Good sanding finish Easy to sand Screwing Easy to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to turn Good results Turning operations are easier with sharp cutters Veneering Qualities Easy to cut Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Steaming can affect the color of the wood Moderate Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Material takes a high polish Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Takes most finishes well Spirit finishes are reported to take away the purple coloring. Wax is the only recommended finish if the rich natural color is to be preserved. Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Max. crushing strength = very high Max. crushing strength = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = very heavy Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Hardness (side grain) = medium Density = very high Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu.ft Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium It is hard and superior to Teak and probably Mahogany Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 15821 22461 psi Density 57 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2713 lbs Impact Strength 40 44 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 8360 11589 psi Shearing Strength 2658 psi Stiffness 2355 2628 1000 psi Toughness 271 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 15 20 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.73 0.78 Weight 57 54 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1112 1579 kg/cm2 Density 913 kg/m3 Hardness 1230 kg Impact Strength 101 111 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 587 814 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 186 kg/cm2 Stiffness 165 184 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 312 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 1.05 1.40 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.73 0.78 Weight 913 865 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % 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,1954,Mukulungu (Autranella congolensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,36,pp25-28 Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chen, C.L.,1962,The Physical Properties of 101 Chinese Woods,Forest Products Journal 12(7) pp339-42 Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Division of CIRAD, 45 bis Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne, CEDEX, France. Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Clark, H.S.,1931,Use of Amaranth (Peltogyne pubescens) for Interior trim and Flooring,Tropical Woods 4(25) pp1-3 Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Edmondson, C.H.,1949,Reaction of Woods from S.America and Caribbean areas to Marine Borers in,Hawaiian Waters,Caribbean Foresters,10(1,PP37-41 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.,1948,Studies of the Trees of British Guiana Part 3,Tropical Woods,12(93,pp1-28 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 Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1932,Preliminary tests on Timbers, Investigated under the auspices of the,Empire Timbers Committee: Properties of Purpleheart, Peltogyne pubescens,Benth,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Project 22,Investigation 11 21pp Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1935,Preliminary Tests on Timbers, Investigated under the auspices of the,Empire Timbers Committee: Properties of Purpleheart, Peltogyne pubescens,Benth. Addendum properties of air seasoned materials.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Project 22,Investigation 11 6pp Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research 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 Guna et al, S.R.D.,1945,Notes on British Guiana Timbers,The 'Daily Chronicle' Ltd. Printers,28PP Guyana Forest Department,1951,British Guiana Timbers - Purpleheart (Peltogyne Spp.,British Guiana Forestry Department Leaflet No.4 Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32 HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio. Kaiser, J. 1990. Wood of the Month Annual - Purpleheart:The Beautiful Oddball. Supplement to Wood and Wood Products, September 1990. Page 8A. Kline, M. 1980. Peltogyne paniculata - Purpleheart. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 262-263. Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 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. 1967. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Ministry of Technology, Forest Products Research, Bulletin No. 50. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Longwood, F.R.,1962,Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook,No.207 Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color - A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7 Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30 Surinam Forest Service,1952,Surinam Timber - A Summary with brief descriptions of the main timber,species of Surinam,Surinam Forest Service 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 Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] Tropical Timber Information Centre,1975,Purpleheart (Peltogyne Spp.,State University, New York TTIC Brief No.25 Vink, A.T.,1965,Surinam Timbers,Surinam Forest Service Paramaribo,3rd rev. ed.