Hormingo

Specs

Common Names

Macacauba, Macawood, Hormigo, Orange Agate

Scientific Name

Platymiscium spp.

Origin

Central and South America

Appearance

Heartwood color can be highly variable, ranging from a bright red to a darker reddish or purplish brown, frequently with darker stripes. When the wood is referred to as “Hormigo,” various suffixes are used to describe the heartwood color: “Hormigo Negro” for darker pieces or “Hormigo Rojo” for orangish red pieces. Clearly demarcated sapwood is yellow to white. Grain is straight to interlocked, with a medium to fine texture. High natural luster. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; heartwood mineral/gum deposits (yellow) occasionally present; growth rings indistinct; narrow rays not visible without lens, fairly close to close spacing; parenchyma lozenge, confluent, and banded (not marginal).

Avg. Dried Weight

59 lbs/ft3 (950 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

2700 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

21,540 lbf/in2 (148.6 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

2,837,000 lbf/in2 (19.56 GPa)

Crushing Strength

11,700 lbf/in2 (80.7 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 2.8%, Tangential: 4.2%, Volumetric: 7.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5

Durability

Heartwood is rated as durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, with good resistance to insect attacks as well.

Workability

Overall, good working characteristics for both hand and machine tools, though areas of interlocked grain should be approached with care to avoid tearout. Able to take a very high natural polish. Turns and glues well.