Hymenaea courbaril L. – Leguminosae Caesalpinoideae
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Heartwood reddish brown with dark streaks, becoming dark brownish red, sharply demarcated from the pale brown sapwood. Grain interlocked, texture medium, not distinctive odor and taste when dry.
DENSITY
Heavy wood with density at 12% moisture content of 890 kg/m^3 and green density of 1240 kg/m^3.
DRYING
Air and kiln-dries easily and rapidly, without serious problems of checking and warping.
WORKABILITY
Difficult to plane, medium to sand, good to bore and very good to turn. Good gluing, finishing and steam-bending properties. Problems when veneering and peeling due to crystals. Finishes well with paint and varnish. Polishes well.
DURABILITY
Heartwood very resistant to fungi and termites. Sapwood easily attacked. Low resistance to marine borers.
PRESERVATION
Heartwood not treatable with creosote or CCA-A, even with pressure-vacuum systems.
USES
Civil construction, framing, fine furniture, tool handles, sport goods, railroad crossties, musical instruments, turnery, automobile and truck bodies, sliced veneers and others.
