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Blunting Effect Boring Carving 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 Schedules Light-Induced Color Change 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 Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Pterocarpus macrocarpus Trade Name Burma padauk Family Name Leguminosae Common Names Burma padauk, Mai pradoo, Mai-chi-tawk, Mai-pi-tawk, Padauk, Pradoo, Pterocarpus Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Burma, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Billiard boxes, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building: framing, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Musical instruments: strings, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shafts/Handles, Sporting Goods, Stools, Tables, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Questionable Extinct Abundant/Secure Endangered Status unknown in many of its growth areas Rare in parts of its natural range Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The genus Pterocarpus is made up of about 60 species of small and large trees that are distributed in the tropical regions of the world. P. macrocarpus is common in the upper mixed and dry forests of Myanmar (Burma). It is also reported to occur in the mixed deciduous forests of Thailand, and is usually found growing in mixed stands with Teak (Tectona grandis) and Indian laurel (Terminalia tomentosa). Heartwood Color Yellow White Grey Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Red Brown Pale red to pink Dark brown Red - yellowish Red - brick Loses intial luster and is golden brown upon exposure Sapwood Color Yellow Different than heartwood White to yellow White/Gray Well defined Grain Figure Interlocked Rippled (figure) Mottled (figure) Stripe (figure) Rippled figure Interlocked Striped figure Quartersawn surfaces show ribbon figure Mottled figure Interlocked Texture Coarse Medium to coarse Medium Coarse Luster High Medium Dull Medium to high Natural Durability Non-durable Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Very good weathering properties Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles Resistant to wood staining fungal attack Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects Odor Spicy scent No distinctive taste Light-Induced Color Change Lighter Toxicity Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=F US=T6D4/T3D3 Fr=6 T6 - D4 (4/4) US T3 -D8 (8/4) US Schedule F - United Kingdom Drying Defects Distortion Checking Extension of Existing Shakes Discoloration Ring Shakes Slight surface checking Severe surface checking Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Fairly Easy Moderate Air dries well with little degrade Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Product Sources Burma padauk is available in both veneer and lumber forms from importers, but prices are typically in the costly range. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect Little Medium effect Blunting effect on machining is slight Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fair to good results Fairly difficult to very difficult Fairly easy to very easy Difficult Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to very poor response to preservative treatment Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Seasoned wood is refractory making it difficult to saw Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderate gluing properties Easy to glue Satisfactory gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Poor moulding results Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Very stable after kiln drying Stable Retain shape after manufacture Dimensional stability is very high, and is slightly better than Teak in retaining its shape after seasoning. Nailing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Possible if prebored Difficult to nail Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Ease of planing is moderate Reduction of cutting angle recommended Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to Work Difficult to machine Poor to very poor response to preservative treatment Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good sanding finish Easy to sand Screwing Screwing yields good results Possible if prebored Holds screws well Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Good results Excellent turning properties Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Cut surfaces are usually smooth and glossy Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Takes high polish Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft. Very heavy Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Density = very high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = very high It is one of the strongest and hardest of timbers from Southeast Asia, with strength properties that are considerably superior to those of Andaman padauk (P. dalbergioides ) and Burma teak (Tectona grandis ). Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13987 19614 psi Density 54 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2267 lbs Impact Strength 51 40 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 7112 9943 psi Shearing Strength 1883 psi Stiffness 1791 2011 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.73 0.77 Weight 54 52 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 983 1379 kg/cm2 Density 865 kg/m3 Hardness 1028 kg Impact Strength 129 101 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 500 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 132 kg/cm2 Stiffness 125 141 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.73 0.77 Weight 865 833 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin. Carrapiett, J.B.,1960,Notes on ornamental timbers of Burma,Burmese Forester,10(1,pp37-53 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO 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 Gamble, J.S.,1902,A Manual of Indian Timbers,Sampson Low, Marston & Co. London 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. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: Padauk - A Red Wood by Another Name. Wood & Wood Products, July, 1990. Page 68. Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1 Kline, M.1982. Pterocarpus macrocarpus - Burma padauk. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 297-298. Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia. Limaye, V.D. 1954. Grouping of Indian Timbers and their Properties, Uses and Suitability. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 2, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India. Limaye, V.D. and B.R. Sen. 1953. Weights and Specific Gravities of Indian Woods. Indian Forest Records, New Series. Timber Mechanics, Vol. 1, No. 4, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Pearson, R.S., Brown, H.P.,1932,Commercial Timbers of India,Govt. Printer Calcutta,2 vols Ramesh, Rao K., Purkayastha, S.K.,1972,Indian Woods - Their Identification Properties and Uses,Dehra Dun India,Vol. 3 Rao, K.R. and S.K. Purkayastha. 1972. Indian Woods - Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume III - Leguminosae to Combretaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India. Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Sono, P.,1974,Merchantable Timbers of Thailand.,Forest Products Research Division, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok,,Thailand. Tewari, M.C., Jain, J.C.,1980,Utilization of Secondary Species,Journal of the National Building Organization 25(2) pp1-6 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA] WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.