South American Mahogany

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DESCRIPTION	South American Mahogany heartwood ranges from light to dark reddish-brown in color. Grain is straight to interlocked. It's texture is medium to coarse and uniform. Dark colored gun or white deposits commonly occur in the pores. Weight is about 34lbs to 40lbs per cu. ft.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	South America (see other names for more)
BOTANICAL NAME	Swietenia Macrophylla
OTHER NAMES	Central American Mahogany, British Honduras Mahogany, Costa Rican, Brazilian, Peruvian, Nicaraguan, etc. according to country of origin.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES	Low bending strength, medium crush strength. Very low stiffness and resistance to shock. Moderately good steam bending characteristics.
WORKING PROPERTIES	Works easily with hand and power tools. Takes glue, nails and screws well. Stains and polishes to an excellent finish.
DURABILITY	Sapwood is susceptible to attack by powder post beetle and common furniture beetle. Heartwood is durable and extremely resistant to preservative treatment.
SEASONING	Dries rapidly and well, without distortion, but tension wood and presence of glutinous fibers can result in a high rate of shrinkage in kiln drying. Small movement.
USES	High-class furniture and cabinetmaking, reproduction furniture, boat interiors, pianos, pattern making, carving, turning, moulds and dies, veneers.
COMMENTS	Related spp: Cuban or Spanish Mahogany Swietenia Mahogani, Jacq, which for 250 years was the most cherished cabinet wood in the world, has now become of more historical importance than commercial significance due to indiscriminate wastage.