Scientific name

Swietenia macrophylla King.

Other names

English: Mahogany

Geographic origin

Central America, tropical region of South America and the Caribbean.
This sort of wood is included in the CITES list of endangered species

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: yellowish white
&;8226; Heartwood: pink brown to light red that darkens whith the light effects
&;8226; Fiber: Straight slightly intertwined
&;8226; Grain: Thin to medium size

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: medium to low capacity of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: No capable of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Easy and with no difficulties
&;8226; Drying process: Easy and fast. Little risk of deformation.
&;8226; Planing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: Easy
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties, except in those cases of polyester varnishes use where certain difficulties can arise.

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity
570 kg/m3 semiligera
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient
0.22 % extraordinarily stable wood
- Relation between contractions
1.42% no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 2.7 Semi-softwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 830 kg/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 89,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 450 kg/cm2

Observations

Attention, very important: It is a specie protected by the CITES agreement. It is contained in the Appendix II. Thus, a permission for exportation or a re-exportation certificate is required. There are different requirements for its marketing deppending on its origin and the subspecie it belongs to.
Check the CITES agreement.