Description
Uses
fine furniture:; cabinet work; flooring; stairs; cutlery;
decorative trim; tumery; brush backs; wainscoting; sleepers; poles and posts; heavy carpentry; harbour or naval construction; joinery
Wood Description
| Sapwood | distinct, cream-coloured (2-4cm) |
|---|---|
| Heartwood | dark yellowish brown (V. macropelala); dark brown to reddish brown figured with fine light parenehyma lines ( V. americana) |
| Grain | straight |
| Texture | fine to medium (V. macropetala); coarse (V. Americana) |
| Remark | – |
Technological Characteristics
| Physical properties | V. amerlcana |
|---|---|
| Green density (g/cm³) | 1.05-1.15 |
| Air-dry density at 12% (g/cm³) | 0.92 |
| Basic specific gravity | 0.82 |
| Total tangential shrinkage (%) | 6.5 |
| Total radial shrinkage (%) | 4.2 |
| Total volumetric shrinkage (%) | 12.2 |
Processing
| Sawing | power required; possible internal stresses |
|---|---|
| Blunting effect | moderate |
| Drying | must be handled with care and slowly; initial airseasoning recommended to reduce the time of drying U.S. kiln schedule T7-BJ for 25-38 mm (4/4 to 6/4) stock ( V. amer/cana) risks of distortion: slight risks of checking: slight movement in service medium |
| Machining | power required; some difficulties due to hardness; special tools recommended |
| Gluing | special precautions needed (dry wood and smooth surface) |
| Nailing | pre-boring necessary; good holding of nails |
| Finishing | good |
| Veneering | interesting for slicing; veneer rather brittle: |
