Marblewood

Specs

Common Names

Marblewood, Angelim Rajado

Scientific Name

Zygia racemosa (syn. Marmaroxylon racemosum)

Origin

Northeastern South America

Appearance

Heartwood is yellow to golden brown, with irregular brown, purple, or black streaks. Paler sapwood is about one inch thick and is solid yellow, lacking the contrasting streaks found in the heartwood. Grain tends to be straight or slightly interlocked; texture is medium with open pores. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large pores in no specific arrangement, few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; yellowish deposits in pores abundant; growth rings indistinct; narrow rays not visible without lens, normal spacing; parenchyma vasicentric, aliform (winged and lozenge), and confluent.

Avg. Dried Weight

63 lbs/ft3 (1,005 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

2530 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

22,780 lbf/in2 (157.1 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

2,818,000 lbf/in2 (19.43 GPa)

Crushing Strength

10,990 lbf/in2 (75.8 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 6.0%, Tangential: 10.5%, Volumetric: 17.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.8

Durability

Rated as durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, with moderate resistance to insect attack.

Workability

Tends to be difficult to work on account of its high density. Marblewood can have a moderate to severe blunting effect on tool cutters. Glues, turns, and finishes well—though there is a high risk of checking and resin exudation during drying.