Scientific name

Diplotropis purpurea Amsh.

Other names

English: Sucupira

Geographic origin

South America

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: greyish white to yellowish white.
&;8226; Heartwood: dark grey to reddish grey.
&;8226; Fiber: Straight, frequently intertwined.
&;8226; Grain: medium size

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: Medium capacity of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: No capable of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Common difficulties arise from hardness and abrasability
&;8226; Drying process: Medium to high speed. Low risk of deformation and crack formation.
&;8226; Planing process: Difficuties due to hardness, abrasability and risk of repelling on pieces of intertwined fibers. Slow mechanisation is recommended
&;8226; Gluing process: Tannins hamper proper adherence.
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: pre-drilling is recommended due to hardness.
&;8226; Finish: No particular difficulties arise

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity 910 kg/m3 very heavy wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.44 % varies from stable wood to nervous wood
- Relation between contractions 1.5% no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 8.3 very hard wood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 1,400 g/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 180,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 850 kg/cm2