Purpleheart
| Family | Leguminosae (Caesalpiniaceae) |
| Botanical Names | Peltogyne venosa |
| Continent | Latin America |
| CITES | (Washington convention of 2017)
No trade Restrictions |
| Diameter | 50 to 90 cm |
| Thickness of Sapwood | 5 – 10 cm |
| Buoyancy | Does not float |
| Log Conservation | Moderate (Treatment recommended) |
Wood Description
| Reference colour | Sapwood | Texture | Grain | Interlocked grain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple | clearly demarcated | Medium | Straight | Absent | Purple wood turns to dark brown with light. Possible presence of internal stresses |
Flat Sawn
Quarter Sawn
Physical and Mechanical properties
| Property | Mean Value |
|---|---|
| Density* | 0.87 |
| Monnin hardness* | 7.6 |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.58 % per % |
| Total tangential shrinkage (Ts) | 6.7 % |
| Total Radial shrinkage (Rs) | 4.4 % |
| T/R anisotropy ratio | 1.5 |
| Fibre Saturation point | 23 % |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.28 W/(m.K.) |
| Lower heating value | 18,120 kJ/kg |
| Crushing strength* | 80 MPa |
| Static bending strength* | 141 MPa |
| Longitudinal modulus elasticity* | 21,250 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 D – 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. Resistance to decay varies from moderate to good. 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 | Sawing and machining are difficult due to hardness and interlocked grain |
Drying
| Drying rate | Normal to slow |
| 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 | Very high specific gravity: important that gluing be performed in compliance with the code of practice and instructions for the glue used. |
Cross sections of Buchenavia fanshawei
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 “Amarante” . 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
Grading for solid wood, according to requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber with a minimal thickness of 22 mm.Aasigned to the procedures of the European grading report No. RA05-0238C prepared by the CSTB( scientific and Technical Centre for Building ) |
Main End uses
- Turned goods
- Coffins
- Heavy carpentary
- Ship building (planking and deck)
- Ship building ( ribs)
- Cabinatery ( high-end furniture)
- Stairs (inside)
- Vehicle or container flooring
- Musical instruments
- Panelling
- Glued Laminated
- Tool handles
Notes
In the United States, Pao roxois used to make deluxe coffins