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Blunting Effect Boring 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 Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Weathering Scientific Name Phoebe porosa Trade Name Imbuia Family Name Lauraceae Synonyms Oreodaphne porosa, Phoebe porosa, Cinnamomum porosum Common Names Amarela, Brazilian walnut, Canella, Canella imbuia, Determa, Embuia, Embuia preta, Embuia vermelho, Embuya, Imbuia, Imbuia-amarela, Imbuia-brazina, Imbuia-clara, Imbuia-parda, Imbuia-rajada, Imbuia-zebria, Imbuya, Imported stinkwood Regions of Distribution Africa, Latin America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Brazil, South Africa Common Uses Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Door, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Gunstocks, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Light construction, Living-room suites, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Office furniture, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Poles, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rifle stock, Rustic furniture, Sporting Goods, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Endangered within its natural habitat Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Protected in southern Brazil, with more availability there. Distribution Overview The species occurs in the southern region of Brazil, particularly in the humid Araucaria forests in Parana and Santo Catarina. It is usually found at altitudes of 2500 to 4000 feet (760 to 1220 m) growing alongside Parana pine. The tree also grows in the rainforests of the States of Sao Paolo and Rio Grande do Sul Heartwood Color White Yellow Brown Orange Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Dark brown Greenish to greyish Brown White to cream Pale brown The heartwood is yellow-olive to a chocolate brown, with variegated streaks and stripes. The wood has been compared to American walnut in appearance, hence the nickname, Brazilian walnut. Color variation is rather high. Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Grain Figure Variable (figure) Straight Wavy Even Closed Distinct (figure) Interlocked Variable figure Straight Wavy Distinct figure Interlocked Straight but occasionally curly or wavy, producing a ribbon figure. The material has a variety of looks, from burly to cluster burls, quilted, and bubbly. Texture Fine Medium Fine Medium Fine to medium Similar to walnut, birch, and maple Luster Medium Lustrous Pronounced Imbuia has a high natural luster Natural Durability Perishable Non-durable Moderately durable Durable Moderately durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and attack by most wood boring insects It could resist decay for 15 to 25 years in contact with the ground and without any chemical protection Weathering Good Odor Has an odor Freshly-Cut wood has a characteristic strong, pleasant but spicy odor, which fades with time Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Sawdust can cause skin irritation in some individuals Kiln Schedules UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is fairly rapid Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking No surface checking Moderate collapse and honeycombing Thicker stock are reported to dry rather slowly, and may develop honeycomb and collapse Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Medium to High Shrinkage Rapidly Easy Difficult Requires careful stacking Kiln dry slowly to avoid defects Air dries rather easily Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries quickly Fairly rapid (11-17 days for boards under 32 mm, to 31-51 days for boards greater than 63 mm) Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 0-10 m Tree height is 20-30 m The trees are reported to grow to a maximum height of about 130 feet (40 m), with trunk diameters of about 72 inches (180 cm). Trees growing in the Brazilian rainforests are reported to mature to a height of 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 m). Growth is limited in sparser regions. Product Sources The species is considered to be one of the most important commercial species in Brazil. Indiscriminate exploitation, fueled by Imbuia's high commercial value, has drastically reduced the population of the species within its natural habitat. Local demand in Brazil is about as high as the supply, which limits the quantity exported. The timber is occasionally available in the US and England, especially in veneer form, and is priced in the medium range Certified Source Certified Source Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Waste-Factor from matching is rather high because of great variation in color and grain. The veneer form of Imbuia has been suggested as a good substitute for Black walnut (Juglans nigra), and can be selected for color to match any kind of walnut. Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is moderate Slight dulling effect on cutting tools Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy The wood responds well to most machining operations including boring, moulding, and mortising, with only slight blunting effect on cutting edges. Cutting angles should be reduced for best results in some operations such as mortising Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Resistance to sawing is low Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Moderate movement after manufacture Moderate dimensional stability after seasoning Nailing Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Ease of planing is moderate Good planing properties A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees has been recommended because the wood has a tendancy to pick up Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to turn Good results The wood is reported to behave in a similar manner to the walnuts, but may be found slightly harder Veneering Qualities Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Veneers easily Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Figured material is sliced to produce decorative veneer Steam Bending Responds rather poorly to hand tools Painting Fair to Good Results Polishing Satisfactory results Good results Staining The material takes stains and other finishes well Varnishing Satisfactory Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = medium Mor/Bending strength = medium 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = soft Small Shrinkage, Radial = very small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Low Small Very low Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Moderate Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Fairly large 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Very low Moderate Moderate High The bending strength of air-dried wood of the species is similar to that of Teak, which is considered to be strong. Compression strength parallel to grain, or maximum crushing strength, is medium. It is lower in this property than Teak. It is fairly hard, resisting wear, denting, and marring fairly well. The weight is high. The density is high. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 8658 12587 psi Density 39 lbs/ft3 Hardness 982 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 4060 6591 psi Shearing Strength 1467 psi Stiffness 1193 1429 1000 psi Toughness 178 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 9 12 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.5 Weight 41 30 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Volumetric Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 608 884 kg/cm2 Density 624 kg/m3 Hardness 445 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 285 463 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 103 kg/cm2 Stiffness 83 100 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 205 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.63 0.84 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.5 Weight 657 480 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 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 Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York. Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Brazier, J.D.,1975,Properties and uses of Brazilian woods,Journal of the Institute of Wood Science,7(2,pp50-57 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Constantine, Jr., A. J. 1959. Know Your Woods - A Complete Guide to Trees, Woods, and Veneers. Revised Edition. Revised by H.J. Hobbs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Gerry, E.,1952,Imbuia, Embuia or 'Brazilian Walnut' - Phoebe porosa,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison Info. Leaflet Foreign Woods Report,1924 Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Kaiser, J. 1994. Wood of the Month - Imbuia:The Other Brazilian Timber Import. Wood and Wood Products, February, 1994. Page 44. Kline, M. 1981. Phoebe porosa - Imbuya. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 264-265. Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Kynoch, W., Norton, N.A.,1938,Mechanical Properties of certain tropical woods chiefly from S. America,School of Forestry and Conservation, University of Michigan Bulletin,No.7 Latham, J.,1931,The Use of Imbuya (Phoebe porosa) in Europe,Tropical Woods,26,pp10-11 Mainieri, C., Pereira, J.A.,1965,Madeiras do Brasil,Anuario Brasileiro de Economia Florestal,17(17,PP135-416 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Record, S.J. and R.W. Hess. 1943. Timbers of the New World. Published on the Charles Lathrop Pack Foundation, Yale University Press, New Haven CT. Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1942,American Timbers of the Family Lauraceae,Tropical Woods,69,pp7-33 Record, S.J., Hess, R.W.,1943,Timbers of the New World,Yale University Press Record, S.J.,1929,Walnut Woods - True or False,Tropical Woods,3(18,pp4-29 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Ribeiro Penna, E.B.,1928,Sur l'Origine du bois d'Imbiua du Bresil et sur la Biologie de l'Arbre,producteur le Phoebe porosa de la Famille des Lauraceaes,Comptes Rendus des Seances de l'Academie des Sciences,187,pp1153-5 Rizzini, C.T.,1978,Arvores e Madeiras Uteis do Brasil: Manual de Dendrologia Brasileira,Editora Edgard Blucher LTDA Brazil Sao Paulo - Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas,1956,Tabelas de Resultados obtidos para Madeiras Nacionais,Inst. Pesq. Tec. Sao Paulo, Brazil Bol., No.31(2nd Ed.) Scott, M.H.,1940,An Interloper from Brazil,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.5,pp29-31 [South,African Forestry Journal] Slooten van der et al, N.J.,1951,Caracteristicas Fisicas e Mecanicas de Madeiras do Rio Grande do,Sul,Annuario Brasileiro do Economia Florestal 4,pp202-12 South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1 Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on F