Chechen

Specs

Common Names

Chechen, black poisonwood, Caribbean rosewood

Scientific Name

Metopium brownei

Origin

Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, Guatemala, Belize, and southeastern Mexico

Appearance

Heartwood color is highly varied, with red, orange, and brown contrasted with darker stripes of blackish brown. Color tends to shift to a darker reddish brown with age. Well defined sapwood is a pale yellow Grain is usually straight, but may be wild or interlocked. With a uniform medium to fine texture and good natural luster.

Avg. Dried Weight

55.0 lbs/ft3 (880 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

2400 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

13,490 lbf/in2 (93.0 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

2,253,000 lbf/in2 (15.53 GPa)

Crushing Strength

8,270 lbf/in2 (57.0 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 3.8%, Tangential: 6.8%

Durability

Rated as being very durable, and moderately resistant to most insect attacks.

Workability

Fairly easy to work, but tearout may occur when machining pieces with interlocked grain. Glues and finishes well, though because of its density and tendency to split, nails and screws should be pre-bored.