Specs
- Common Names
- Cumaru, Brazilian Teak
- Scientific Name
- Dipteryx odorata
- Origin
- Northern South America
- Appearance
- Heartwood tends to be a medium to dark brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue; some pieces may have streaks of yellowish or greenish brown. Grain is interlocked, with a medium texture and a waxy feel. Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; solitary and radial multiples; large pores in no specific arrangement, few; heartwood mineral/gum deposits present; parenchyma lozenge, aliform, confluent, and sometimes marginal; narrow rays, spacing fairly close.
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 68 lbs/ft3 (1,085 kg/m3)
- Janka Hardness
- 3330 lbf
- Modulus of Rupture
- 25,390 lbf/in2 (175.1 MPa)
- Elastic Modulus
- 3,237,000 lbf/in2 (22.33 GPa)
- Crushing Strength
- 13,850 lbf/in2 (95.5 MPa)
- Shrinkage
- Radial: 5.3%, Tangential: 7.7%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
- Durability
- Cumaru has excellent durability and weathering properties. The wood is rated as very durable regarding decay resistance, with good resistance to termites and other dry-wood borers.
- Workability
- Tends to be difficult to work on account of its density and interlocked grain. If the grain is not too interlocked, Cumaru can be surface-planed to a smooth finish. However, the wood contains silica and will have a moderate blunting effect on tool cutters. Due to its high oil content and density, Cumaru can present difficulties in gluing, and pre-boring is necessary when screwing or nailing the wood.
