IPE - TAHUARI (PERÚ)
TECHNICAL CARD
| Species : | Tabebuia serratifolia Nichols |
| Family : | Bignoniaceae |
| Commun Names : | Peru: tahuarí, ebano verde. Bolivia: ipe, tajibo. Brasil: ipe, pau d'arco. Colombia: cañaguate morado, polvillo, roble morado. Paraguay: Iapacho negro. Venezuela: araguaney poi, polvillo, puy. |
| International Business Name: | Ipe |
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SPECIES
Geographical Distribution: the distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Amazonas, Huanuco, Madre de Dios and San Martin, between 0 and 1500m (0 and 4920 feet) above sea level. Small to average amounts can be found in the Peruvian Amazon.
The tree: 36 m. (118 feet) tall. High-quality to average pieces ranging from 15 to 20m (49 to 65 feet) long and 35 to 55 cm (13 to 21 inches) diameter. None or thick, poorly-developed visible roots. Balloon-like, dark-green top. The surface of the bark is yellowish chestnut-brown at its base and graying or beige at the top. Rough appearance, superficial fissures and longitudinal cracks. Sheeted, yellowish main bark.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is yellowish and hardwood (duramen) is dark brown. Great and abrupt contrast of colors between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pinkish white HUE8/6 2.5Y and duramen turns yellowish brown HUE 5/6 10YR with yellowish streaks (Munsell Soil Color Charts).
| Fragrance: | Non-Distinctive |
| Shine or gloss: | Low to medium |
| Grain: | Straight to interbred |
| Texture: | Delicate |
| Streaks or patterns: | Overlapped arches defined by yellowish streaks. Discontinued narrow bands. |
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Physical Properties
| Primary density : | 0,92 gr/cm 3 |
| Tangencial contraction : | 8,88 % |
| Radial contraction : | 5,69 % |
| Volumetric contraction : | 13,85 % |
| T/R Ratio : | 1,56 |
Mechanical Properties
| Module of elasticity in flexion : | 198 000 kg/cm 2 |
| Module of breakage in flexion : | 1 436 kg/cm 2 |
| Parallel compression (RM) : | 786 kg/cm 2 |
| Perpendicular compression (ELP) : | 128 kg/cm 2 |
| Grain-parallel cut : | 152 kg/cm 2 |
| Hardness on the sides : | 1 043kg/cm 2 |
| Firmness (Resistence to impact) : | 6,5 kg - m |
TECHNICAL ADVICE
Tahuarí is a very heavy kind of Wood, showing low linear shrinkage and stable volumetric shrinkage. Mechanical resistance is in the limit of hifh ranks. Wood is sawed with difficulty due to its high durability, star-shaped saws are required. Generates thin dust that causes irritation, masks and goggles are necessary when processing it.
Dry wood is even tougher when worked on. High-speed, steel plane and wide milling cutter. Natural drying is slow. Artificial drying must be carried out in a mild setting to reduce risks or warping or cracking. Good natural durability, not prone to biological attack, no preservation needed.
USES
Wood is used in heavy constructions, car bodies, carpentry, railway sleepers, floor, floor tiles, tool handles, poles, bridges, underwater constructions.
