A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees has also been recommended, especially when planing and moulding material with interlocked or wavy grain. Slower feed rates and specially tipped cutters, or sharp, high-speed steel knives are suggested.

They respond rather poorly to ordinary tools, and working with dull cutters may cause the wood to heat up and exude resin which can considerably increase machining difficulty. Peltogyne timbers are reported to be moderately difficult to work in most machining operations including planing, turning, boring, and moulding. Slow feed rates and specially tipped cutters are suggested. Tools usually require frequent sharpening. Peltogyne timbers are reported to be moderately difficult to saw. Working the wood with dull cutting tools may cause gum exudation.Ĭutting tools may be gummed up if they are not very sharp. The heartwood is reported to be extremely resistant to impregnation but the sapwood is treatable. The wood is also reported to be resistant to chemicals such as acids. Peltogyne heartwood is rated as highly resistant to attack by decay fungi, very resistant to dry-wood termite attack, and slightly resistant to attack by marine borers. This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. The wood is reported to be dimensionally stable, and shows only small movement after manufacture.

Moisture extraction from center of thicker stock is reported to be rather difficult.ĭegrade from warping and splitting is reported to be slight. Difficulty in air-drying varies from easy to moderately difficult, and drying rate ranges from slow to fairly rapid. There is no characteristic odor or taste.ĭrying properties are reported to vary. The wood exhibits a medium to high luster. The grain is typically straight, sometimes wavy, roey, or irregular. A treatment with Armorall, the car finish product, under lacquer is reported to hold the color well. Treatment against the effects of ultra-violet rays has been suggested to maintain the original color of the wood. Peltogyne timbers are reported to vary widely in color between, and probably within, species. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration and steaming is reported to affect the color. Color variation between boards is reported to be moderate to high. Prolonged exposure darkens the wood to a dark-purplish brown or dark brown, but the original color can be restored by recutting the wood. The heartwood is initially dull brown, but it rapidly changes to a bright, vibrant purple. The color has also been described as pinkish cinnamon with light brown streaks, and is usually about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide. The sapwood is creamy white or off-white in color, and is very distinct from the heartwood.

Mature Purpleheart trees are usually tall and attain a height of about 100 to 150 feet (30 to 45 m), and a diameter of up to 48 inches (120 cm), usually between 18 and 36 inches (45 and 90 cm). Although it has not found wide demand, Purpleheart is reported to be available on the US market in both the lumber and veneer forms. It is reported to cost more than mahogany but less than teak. Supplies are reported to be ample, but the wood is fairly expensive. The material is exported at a low but regular rate. The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) reports that timber production from this species is regular. It is not known at present whether some material from this species is available from sustainably managed, salvaged, recycled, or other environmentally responsible sources. They are reported to be most common in the Amazon basin, and are also found in Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, and Venezuela. porphyrocardia, which grow in Central America and tropical South America, from Mexico to southern Brazil. The commercial name Purpleheart is reported to refer to timber produced by about 20 species, including P. The environmental profile of this species within its natural habitat has not been officially assessed. Common Names: Purpleheart,Amarante, Amaranth,Guarabú, Koroboreli, Morado, Nazareno, Palo morado, Pau roxo, Pelo morado, Purperhart, Saka, Sakavalli, Tananeo, Violetwood.

Purple heart wood price