Andira

Log Description

Family	Leguminosae (Fabaceae)
Botanical Names	Andira coriacea Pulle.
Continent	Latin America
CITES	(Washington convention of 2017) No trade Restrictions
Diameter	60 to 90 cm
Thickness of Sapwood	3 – 5 cm
Buoyancy	Does not float
Log Conservation	Good

Wood Description

Reference colour	Sapwood	Texture	Grain	Interlocked grain	Notes
Red brown	Clearly demarcated	Coarse	Straight or Interlocked	slight	Pink brown to red brown. Bands of light-coloured parenchyma tissue gives this wood a distinctive figure. Presence of internal stresses and wind shakes (internal fractures in the wood).

Flat Sawn

Quarter Sawn

Physical and Mechanical properties

Property	Mean Value
Density*	0.86
Monnin hardness*	8.8
Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage	0.65% per %
Total tangential shrinkage (Ts)	7.3%
Total Radial shrinkage (Rs)	4.6%
T/R anisotropy ratio	1.6
Fibre Saturation point	23%
Thermal conductivity	0.28 W/(m.K.)
Lower heating value	19,180 kJ/kg
Crushing strength*	72 MPa
Static bending strength*	128 MPa
Longitudinal modulus elasticity*	20,170 MPa

* At 12% moisture content, with 1Mpa = 1N/mm2

Natural durability & Treatability

Resistance to decay	Class 2 – Durable
Resistance to dry wood borers	Class D – Durable (Sapwood demarcated, risk limited sapwood)
Resistance to termites	Class D – Durable
Treatability	Class 3 - Poorly permeable
Use class covered by natural durability	Class 4 - in ground or freshwater contact

Notes

The species Andira coracea is very resistant to decay (class 1); it naturally covers the use class 5 (wood permanently or regularly submerged in salt water, sea water or brackish water). According to the European standard NF EN 335 of May 2013, performance length might be modified by conditions in which it is used.

Preservation Treatment

Against dry wood borer attacks.	This wood does not require appropriate preservative treatment.
In case of temporary humidification	This wood does not require any preservation treatment
In case of permanent humidification	This wood does not require any preservation treatment

Sawing and Machining

Blunting effect	Fairly high
Tooth for sawing	Stellite tipped
Machining tools	Tungsten carbide
Suitability for peeling	Bad
Suitability for slicing	good
Notes	It is difficult to obtain a smooth surface in planning because of the alternate bands of hard and soft wood. Splinters may cause infection.

Drying

Drying rate	rapid to normal
Risk of distortion	Slight risk
Risk of case hardening	No known specific risk
Risk of checking	Slight risk
Risk of collapse	No known specific risk
Suggested drying schedule	Schedule # 6

Assembling

Nailing/ Screwing	Good but pre – boring necessary.
Notes	Tends to split with nailing. High specific gravity: important that gluing be performed in compliance with the code of practice and instructions for the flue used.

Cross sections of Andira coriacea

Commercial Grading

Sawn timber appearance grading

According to NHLA grading rules (2015) Possible grading: FAS, Select, Common 1, Common 2, Common 3 In French Guiana, the local name of this species is "Saint Martin Rouge". Grading is done according to local rules "Bois guyanais classes (1990)". Possible grading: Choice 1, choice 2, choice 3, choice 4

Fire Safety

Conventional French grading	Thickness > 14 mm: M3 (moderately inflammable) Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (easily inflammable)
Euroclass grading	D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.

Main End uses

Cabinet work (high class furniture)
Interior Joinery
Sliced veneer
Bridges (Parts not in contact with water or ground)
Turned goods
Exterior joinery
Exterior panelling
Current furniture or furniture components
Heavy carpentry
Industrial or heavy flooring
Vehicle or container flooring