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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source 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 Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Pterocarpus soyauxii Trade Name African padauk Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Pterocarpus delevoyi, Pterocarpus osun, Pterocarpus tinctorius Common Names Africaans padoek, African coral wood, African padauk, Afrik padouk, Afrikanisches korallenholz, Afrikanisches padoik, Akume, Arapka, Ba, Barrwood, Barwood, Bo, Bois corail, Bois de rose, Bois rouge, Bois ulu, Boko, Boku, Bosulu, Bou, Camwood, Corail, Ebeu, Epein, Epion, Escio, Ezigo, Gula, Kisese, Kisesi, Koula, M'bio, Mbe, Mbel, Mbeu, Mbie, Mbil, Mbili, Mohingue, Mongola, Muenge, Mukula, Mututi, N'gola, N'gula, N'kula, Ndimbo, Ngula, Nve, Osun, Ozigo, Padouk, Padouk d'Afrique, Palorojo, Red santal, Redwood, Santal rouge, Tacula, Takula, Tizeze, Uhie, Uhile, Ukpa, Vermillion, Wele, Yomo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Bobbins, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decks, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Dyewood , Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Oars, Office furniture, Paddles, Parquet flooring, Picker sticks, Plywood, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shade rollers, Shafts/Handles, Shuttles, Specialty items, Spindles, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat Status unknown in parts of its range Generally widespread, secure, and abundant within most of its range Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The genus Pterocarpus occurs throughout the tropical regions of the world. P. soyauxii is found in Central and tropical West Africa, extending from south-western Nigeria to Zaire. It often grows in small groups and is common in dense equatorial rain forests. Heartwood Color Red Pink Brown White Green/grey Yellow Orange Grey Red Pale red to pink Dark brown Dark brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Small color variation Reddish orange Purple Brown Becomes bright red, coral pink with dark streaks, purplish-brown, or black with age Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White Pink White to yellow Well defined Whitish Same as heartwood Pinkish Paler than heartwood Matures to yellowish brown with age Grain Straight Interlocked Figure Distinct (figure) Closed Even Wavy Stripe (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Wavy Striped figure Straight to slightly interlocked Texture Coarse Medium Even or uniform Uniform Coarse Fine to medium Medium Medium to coarse Fine Luster Medium Low Lustrous Pronounced Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Perishable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Non-durable Non-resistant to marine borers Very durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Very good weathering properties Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from marine borers May last over 25 years in contact with ground Heartwood is very resistant to decay and termite attack Heartwood is very durable Odor Has an odor Green wood is faintly aromatic Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Some toxic effects Respiratory effects Unspecified toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4 T8 - D4S (8/4) US T10 - D5s (4/4) US Schedule J - United Kingdom Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying (speed) is fast Dry at a slow speed Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Splitting Internal Honeycombing Possible Collapse Distortion No twisting or warping Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Little or no degrade Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Rapidly Thick Stock Requires Care Slowly Easy Prolonged conditioning period and regular moisture content checks control variable drying rates Dries well with little degrade Logs may be held for long periods without splitting or checking Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries slowly 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 fluted Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 40-50 m Bark width is 20-25 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Bark width is 25-30 mm Bark width is 15-20 mm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Product Sources The ITTO reports that this species is frequent source of timber which is exported in low quantities and only occasionally. African padauk is available in both lumber and veneer forms on the market in North America, but prices are typically in the high range. Availability in long lengths, wide boards, and in veneer form is rather limited on the European market, but prices are comparable to that of the lower cost hardwoods. Certified Source Certified Source Comments Crystal deposits are usually present General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on sawing green wood is severe Blunting effect on sawing green wood is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Good boring qualities Easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Saw well with slow feed rate Carbide tipped tools are recommended Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to glue Glues very well Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good mortising properties Easy to mortise Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good finishing results Easy to mould Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small Very stable after kiln drying Stable Negligible movement Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to nail Tends to split during nailing Possible if prebored Holds satisfactorily Holds nails well Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Torn grain common in quartersawn material Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is permeable Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Responds Readily Variable qualities Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing is easy Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good sanding finish Fairly good sanding characteristics Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Stock in smaller dimensions may split Screwing yields good results Possible if prebored Holds screws well Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Generally good Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers easily Suitable for slicing Veneers moderately easy No drying degrade Suitable for slicing Easy to cut Bolt preparation requires steaming Painting Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Wood has a tendency to bleed, water-based finishes recommended Stains well Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Radial = small Hardness (side grain) = hard Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Bending strength (MOR) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = very hard Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = large Resists denting and marring Max. crushing strength = medium Heavy Density = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13206 17976 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2219 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6670 8794 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1608 1792 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.6 0.68 Weight 45 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 928 1263 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Hardness 1006 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 468 618 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 113 125 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.6 0.68 Weight 721 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Bertin, A., Meniaud, J.,1949,Timbers of the Cameroons,Compagnie Francais du Cameroon,(Transl. by F.Jane) Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research 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. British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London. 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 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 A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38 Fouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38 Fouarge, J.,1953,Bois du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Fougerousse, M., Deschamps, P.,1968,Essais de Resistance de quelques Bois Tropicaux aux Xylophages Marins dans,la,Port de la Pallice,C.T.F.T. Note Technique,No.7 France - C.T.F.T.,1960,Resultats des Observations et des Essais Effectues au CTFT sur le,Padouk,C.T.F.T. Infor. Tec.,No.114 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets Gutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102 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, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France. 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. Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: Padauk - A Red Wood by Another Name. Wood & Wood Products, July, 1990. Page 68. Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Kline, M. 1982. Pterocarpus soyauxii - African padauk. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 299. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Meniaud, J., Bretonnet, F.,1926,Les Bois Coloniaux d'Afrique dans l'Industrie,Publ. de l'Agence Gen. des Colonies NWFA. 1994. Wood Species Used in Wood Flooring. Technical Publication No. A200. National Wood Flooring Association, Manchester, MO. Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7 Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1959,Survey of Africa Woods 4,Tropical Woods 17(110) pp42-115 Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]