Phone Hours
Monday–Friday 8:30am–8pm EST
Saturday 8am–3pm EST
Sunday Closed
Closed 8/31–9/2 for Labor Day
PHOTO |
|
DESCRIPTION | Purpleheart heartwood is a deep purple-violet when freshly cut, maturing to a dark brown. The original color is restored when re-cut. Grain is straight, but often irregular, wavy and sometimes interlocked. Texture is moderate to fine. Weight varies from about 50lbs to 63lbs per cu. ft. |
BOTANICAL NAME | Peltogyn Pubescens |
OTHER NAMES | Amaranth, Violetwood, Koroboreli, Saka, Pau Roxo, Morado, Tananeo |
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES | High strength in bending, stiffness and crushing. Medium resistance to shock loads. Moderate steam bending characteristics. |
WORKING PROPERTIES | Difficult to work. Moderate to severe blunting effect on cutters. Exudes gummy resin when heated by dull cutters. Recommend running material slowly through machines equipped with HSS knives. Pre-drilling needed for nailing. Takes glue well. Stains and wax polishes easily. |
DURABILITY | Very durable. Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetle. Heartwood is extremely resistant to preservative treatment. Sapwood is permeable. |
SEASONING | Dries rapidly with little degradation. Air drying is slow with some end and surface checking or case hardening. Small movement. |
USES | Heavy outdoor constructional work, bridge building, fresh water piling, dock work, cladding, vats, flooring, tool handles, turning, furniture, decorative veneers, inlay and marquetry. |
COMMENTS | Spirit based finishes remove the purple color. Lacquer based finishes preserve the color. |