Ipe — Identification, Uses and Properties
Handroanthus serratifolius Bignoniaceae
Frequently marketed as 'Brazilian Walnut' in the flooring industry despite not being a true walnut.
HARDWOOD SOUTH AMERICA FLOORING
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Handroanthus serratifolius
Family
Bignoniaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Ipê Amarelo (Brazil), Groenhart (Suriname), Ebène verte (French Guiana), Puy (Venezuela), Guayacán polvillo (Colombia)
Origin Region
South America
Main End Uses
Flooring · Decking · Exterior lumber · Veneer · Tool handles · Marine construction · Bridge construction · Heavy construction · Railway sleepers · Turned objects
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Reddish-brown to yellowish-olive brown or darker blackish-brown
Texture
Fine to medium
Grain
Straight, irregular, or interlocked
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated, cream-colored to yellowish-white.
Interlocked Grain
Marked
Notes
Heartwood ranges from yellowish-brown to dark olive-brown, sometimes featuring dark stripes. Contains yellow powdery deposits of lapachol in the vessels. Wood has a low to moderate natural luster and an oily feel.
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Log Description
Tree height
100 – 130 ft
Tree height
30 – 40 m
Diameter
60-120 cm
Sapwood Thickness
3-9 cm
Buoyancy
Sinks
Log Conservation
Good
Diameter
23.6-47.2 in
Sapwood Thickness
1.2-3.5 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
1,050 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
65.5 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
14.6
Janka Hardness
4,380 lbf
Janka Hardness
19,483 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.68 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
7.1 %
Radial Shrinkage
5.5 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.3
Fibre Saturation Point
20 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.33 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.191 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
20.3 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
8,733 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
90.7 MPa
Crushing Strength
13,155 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
177.5 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
25,744 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
21,300 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
3,089,304 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Very durableDry Wood Borers
DurableTermites
Very durableTreatability
Not permeableUse Class
Class 4 and 5Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
Sapwood requires treatment; heartwood is naturally resistantNotes
Excellent natural durability against rot and insects. However, it can be susceptible to marine borer attack in certain salt-water environments.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Slow
Risk Distortion
Slight
Risk Case Hardening
No
Risk Checking
Slight
Risk Collapse
No
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Significant
Tooth For Sawing
Stellite-tipped
Machining Tools
Tungsten-carbide
Suitability Peeling
No
Suitability Slicing
Yes
Notes
Extremely high cutting resistance due to density and hardness. Lapachol dust can cause dermatitis and respiratory irritation.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Pre-boring required
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M1
Euroclass
D-s2, d0
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Appendix II
Trade Notes
Listed in Appendix II of CITES as of November 2024; restrictions apply to logs, sawn wood, and veneer.
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