South American Mahogany

Specs

Common Names

South American Mahogany

Scientific Name

Swietenia macrophylla

Origin

South America (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, etc.)

Appearance

South American Mahogany heartwood ranges from light reddish-brown to deep reddish-brown, often with darker streaks. The wood has a straight to interlocked grain with a medium to coarse texture.

Avg. Dried Weight

35-41 lbs/ft3 (560-660 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

800 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

12,510 lbf/in2 (86.3 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

1,570,000 lbf/in2 (10.8 GPa)

Crushing Strength

6,970 lbf/in2 (48.0 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 2.2%, Tangential: 4.1%, Volumetric: 6.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.9

Durability

Rated as moderately durable to durable; resistant to termite attacks.

Workability

South American Mahogany wood is generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It has good nailing and screwing properties. It finishes well and can be polished to a smooth surface. The wood has good dimensional stability and is resistant to warping.