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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Substitutes
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Astronium fraxinifolium

Trade Name
Goncalo alves

Family Name
Anacardiaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Bois de zebre, Bossona, Bototo, Coubaril, Gateado, Gomavel, Goncalo alves, Guarabu bata, Guarabu encirado, Guarabu rajado, Gusanero, Jejuira, Kingwood, Locustwood, Muira, Muiraquatiara, Mura, Rajado branco, Red astronium, Robel gateado, Sangue, Tigerwood, Urunday, Urunday-para, Yoke, Zebrawood, Zorrowood

Regions of Distribution
Latin America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela

Common Uses
Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Bobbins, Bows, Bridge construction, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Decorative veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Jewelry box, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Paneling , Paneling, Piling, Plywood, Posts, Railroad ties, Shutters, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels

Environmental Profile
Status has not been officially assessed


Distribution Overview
The area of natural distribution is from Mexico through Central America to Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. It is found at altitudes ranging from 150 to 1000 m but is most common at 500-600 m. It grows in areas with annual rainfall of 1200-3000 mm and temperatures of 24-27.5°C in both dry and humid tropical forests. It does not tolerate waterlogging or heavy clay soils. Best growth is obtained on lighter soils with less than 40% clay, neutral pH and good drainage.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Yellow
Black
Purple
Orange
Reddish brown
Brown
Red
Pale brown
Dark brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Light golden brown to reddish brown, with irregularly spaced blackish brown streaks
Black


Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Red
Green/Grey
Grey
Well defined
White to yellow
Paler than heartwood
Dirty gray or brownish-white
Different than heartwood
Clearly distinct from heartwood

It is about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide

Grain
Figure
Wavy
Interlocked
Straight
Mottled (figure)
Even
Closed
Distinct (figure)
Stripe (figure)
Other (figure)
Irregular

Wavy
Interlocked
Straight
Mottled figure
Striped figure
Distinct figure
Other figure
Irregular

Wood has alternating bands of hard and soft tissue, and a mottled figure similar to that of Rosewood is occasionally present .

Texture
Fine
Medium
Fine
Medium
Fine to medium


Luster
Medium
High
Low
Pronounced
Medium to dull luster
Lustrous


Natural Growth Defects
Gum/resin streaks


Natural Durability
Durable
Very durable
Moderately durable
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Susceptible to insect attack
Durable
Very durable
Resistant to wood staining fungal attack
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Resistant to attack by beetles

Used for boat building and general construction

Odor
No specific smell or taste


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a moderate speed
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate surface checking
Slight surface checking
Raid air-drying rates may cause excessive warping and checking
Moderate spring/bow


Ease of Drying
Moderately Difficult to Difficult
Fairly Easy
Thick Stock Requires Care
Slowly
Moderate
Dries slowly to prevent degrade
Difficult


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries at a moderate speed
Naturally dries slowly


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Tree Size
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Sapwood width is 0-5 cm
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bark width is 10-15 mm


Narrow flanged buttresses that are about 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) high. It develops well-formed cylindrical boles that are often clear for about two-thirds or more of the total height of the tree.

Certified Source
Certified Source


Substitutes
Used to produce knife handles as a subsitute for Cocbolo (Dalbergia)
Used for a subsitute for the production of bobbins

This hard and heavy wood possesses strength properties that are similar to those of American dogwood (Cornus florida )

Comments
Durable

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Lesser known species from Central and South America

One of the most beautiful tropical woods

Strong

Suited primarily for construction and secondarily for fine furniture

Tough

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Blunting effect on machining is severe


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Twist drills should be avoided because they cause breakouts
To avoid burning, a slower speed (about 250 rpm) has been recommended
Bradpoint bits and using a back board under tdrilled material can minimize tearout
Back drill out periodically during deep drilling is also recommended


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Start with medium-cut burrs and progress to fine ones is recommended since coarse burrs tend to chip the wood
Power carving tools with carbide-tipped burrs are essential


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Rip-Profile blade with a maximum of 28 teeth is recommended for ripping to allow sawdust to clear and to prevent charring from heat buildup
Requires power tools with carbide-tipped blades and cutters to work
Highly figured wood should be crosscut with the help of a backing board to prevent tearout
Hard, heavy and dense
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult


Gluing
Surface Preparation
Carefully Controlled Conditions
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Use glues with a longer open time, such as woodworker's white glue
Surface should be pre-treated with a solvent to clear natural extractives
Gluing is often difficult
Apply light coat, brief joining of pieces, separating the pieces and allowing the glue to partially set and then rejoining the pieces


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended for best results


Movement in Service
Small movement under actual use conditions
Dimensionally stable after proper seasoning


Nailing
Pre-Boring Recommended
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Pre-boring recommended


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Straight-Grained wood can be fed into the planer at a 90 degree angle
Slow feeding rates have been recommended
Shallower cuts are suggested if any tearout occurs during planing
Cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended due to alternating bands of hard and soft material as well as irregular and interlocked grain


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant sapwood
Resistant heartwood
Very high resistance to chemical impregnation


Response to Hand Tools
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Difficult to machine
Variable qualities
Moderate working qualities
Easy to machine


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Bits with ball bearing pilots, a consistent feed rate, and shallower passes have been suggested for best reults


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Use a cabinet scraper and sanding with the grain for best results
Generally easy to sand
Extra attention should be paid to grits since avoiding them may leave scratches that are difficult to remove


Screwing
Pre-boring recommended
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Very Good to Excellent Results
Very good screw holding qualities
Screws should be lubricated for easier operations


Turning
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Good results
Turns easily with sharp tools
Highly figured material requires care to prevent tearout
Easy to turn


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for slicing
Difficult to glue
Can sometimes be sliced into highly decorative veneers for paneling


Steam Bending
Unsuitable
Generally unsuitable for steam bending


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Polishes very easily
No grain filling is required and a clear finish is suggested to enhance the beauty of the wood
Finishes very easily


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu.ft
Density (dry weight) = >75 lbs/cu. ft
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Max. crushing strength = high
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Very high density
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high
Max. crushing strength = very high
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Bending strength (MOR) = very high
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1144218704psi
Density60lbs/ft3
Hardness2318lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength794411203psi
Shearing Strength2745psi
Stiffness230426001000 psi
Weight6357lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength8041315kg/cm2
Density961kg/m3
Hardness1051kg
Maximum Crushing Strength558787kg/cm2
Shearing Strength192kg/cm2
Stiffness1611821000 kg/cm2
Weight1009913kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4%

References
Berni, C.A., Bolza, E., Christensen, F.J.,1979,South American Timbers - The Characteristics, Properties and Uses of 190,Species,C.S.I.R.O Div. Building Research

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 2 South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Chichignoud, M., G. Deon, P. Detienne, B. Parant, and P. Vantomme. 1990. Tropical Timber Atlas of Latin America. Prepared for International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) by Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, Division of CIRAD, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France.

Constantine, Jr. A.J. 1975. Know your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition, Revised by Harry J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner and Sons, New York.

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood B. Wood Species from S. American Tropical,Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1992. Good Wood Handbook - The Wood worker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. HarperCollins Publishers, London

Kline, M. 1979. Astronium fraxinifolium - Goncalo alves. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 54.

Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Kryn, J.M.,1952,Goncalo Alves - Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, and Astronium graveolens,Jacq., including var. Planchonianum (A.planchonianum Engl.) Family,Anacardiaceae,Foreign Woods Information Leaflet, Forest Products Laboratory, Forest,Service U.S. Department of Agriculture

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Patterson, D. 1988. Commercial Timbers of the World. Fifth Edition. Gower Technical Press, Aldershot, UK. ix + 339 pp.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Takahashi, A.,1975,Compilation of data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part 2,Central and South America,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No.4

Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]

Wood Magazine. 1995. Goncalo alves - Prized for its Beauty, Harvested for its Durability. Compiled with Woodworker Tom Etreses and Woodturner Gary Zeff in Wood Magazine, August 1995. Page 37-38.

Woods, R.P.,1949,Timbers of South America,TRADA, Red Booklet Series









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