Bloodwood

Specs

Common Names

Bloodwood, Satine

Scientific Name

Brosimum rubescens (syn. B. paraense)

Origin

Tropical South America

Appearance

Heartwood is a bright, vivid red. Color can darken to a darker brownish red over time with exposure to light. Applying a thick protective finish, and keeping the wood out of direct sunlight can help slow this color shift. Well defined sapwood is a pale yellowish color, though given the typically large trunk diameters, it’s seldom seen or included in imported lumber. Grain is usually straight or slightly interlocked. Has a fine texture with good natural luster, and is also somewhat chatoyant. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large pores, few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses and other mineral deposits common; parenchyma winged and confluent; narrow to medium rays, normal spacing.

Avg. Dried Weight

66 lbs/ft3 (1,050 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

2900 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

25,290 lbf/in2 (174.4 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

3,013,000 lbf/in2 (20.78 GPa)

Crushing Strength

14,310 lbf/in2 (98.7 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 4.6%, Tangential: 7.0%, Volumetric: 11.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.5

Durability

Reported to be very durable, and resistant to most insect attacks.

Workability

Bloodwood is extremely dense, and has a pronounced blunting effect on cutters. The wood tends to be brittle and can splinter easily while being worked. Those persistent enough to bear with the difficulties of working with Bloodwood to the finishing stage are rewarded with an exceptional and lustrous red surface.