Jatoba
| Family | Leguminosae ( Caesalpiniaceae) |
| Botanical Names | Hymenaea courbaril |
| Continent | Latin America |
| CITES | (Washington convention of 2017)
No trade Restrictions |
| Diameter | 50 to 80 cm |
| Thickness of Sapwood | 3 – 12 cm |
| Buoyancy | Does not float |
| Log Conservation | Moderate (Treatment recommended) |
Wood Description
| Reference colour | Sapwood | Texture | Grain | Interlocked grain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red brown | Clearly demarcated | Medium | Straight or interlocked | Slight | Wood has internal stresses. Colour can vary from purple brown or orangey brown to red brown with some veins. |
Flat Sawn
Quarter Sawn
Physical and Mechanical properties
| Property | Mean Value |
|---|---|
| Density* | 0.94 |
| Monnin hardness* | 10.5 |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.59 % per % |
| Total tangential shrinkage (Ts) | 7.5 % |
| Total Radial shrinkage (Rs) | 3.9 % |
| T/R anisotropy ratio | 1.9 |
| Fibre Saturation point | 23 % |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.30 W/(m.K.) |
| Lower heating value | 18,920 kJ/kg |
| Crushing strength* | 97 MPa |
| Static bending strength* | 160 MPa |
| Longitudinal modulus elasticity* | 23,460 MPa |
Natural durability & Treatability
| Resistance to decay | Class 2-3 – durable to moderately durable |
| Resistance to dry wood borers | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited sapwood) |
| Resistance to termites | Class M – moderately durable |
| Treatability | Class 4 – non-treatable |
| Use class covered by natural durability | Class 3 – not in ground contact ,outside |
Notes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. Variable resistance to decay and termites depending on species. 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 any preservation treatment. |
| In case of temporary humidification | This wood does not require any preservation treatment |
| In case of permanent humidification | Use of this wood is not recommended |
Sawing and Machining
| Blunting effect | Fairly high |
| Tooth for sawing | Stellite tipped |
| Machining tools | Tungsten carbide |
| Suitability for peeling | Not recommended or without interest |
| Suitability for slicing | Good |
| Notes | Sawdust may cause allergies |
Drying
| Drying rate | Slow |
| Risk of distortion | Slight risk |
| Risk of case hardening | No known specific risk |
| Risk of checking | Slight risk |
| Risk of collapse | Initial air drying under cover is recommended prior to kiln drying. More or less risk of splits depending on specific gravity |
| Suggested drying schedule | Schedule # 8 |
Assembling
| Nailing/ Screwing | Good but pre – boring necessary. |
| Notes | High specific gravity: important that gluing be performed in compliance with the code of practice and instructions for the glue used. |
Cross sections of Hymenaea courbaril
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 Courbaril. Grading is done according to local rules Bois guyanais classes (1990) Possible grading : Choice1, 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. |
Visual structure grading
According to French standard NF B 52- 001-1 (2011) and associated national standards, strengths classes D50 can be provided by visual grading.
Main End uses
- Arched goods
- Turned goods
- Ship building ( ribs)
- Cabinetry (high-end furniture)
- Stairs (inside)
- Vehicle or container flooring
- Musical instruments
- Panelling
- Tool handles
- Built- in furniture or mobile item
- Moulding
Notes
End uses in permanently humid conditions ( water or ground contact) are possible with species with very good durability