Applications
Muiracatiara hardwood is widely used because of its decorative appearance and typical hardwood properties (durable and strong). You will often see this hardwood in horizontal railings, facades, bridge decks and sheet piling. When planed, it becomes very slippery and has a greasy feeling.
Specific gravity
Fresh 1200-1250 kg/m3. At 12% moisture conten 750-900 kg/m3.
Colour
Red with black stripes. This type of wood is therefore called Tigerwood.
Details
The colour of the heartwood is light orange-brown, with a variable proportion of dark brown 'veins'. This makes Muiracatiara wood particularly decorative. After exposure to sunlight, the wood quickly turns to an orange-reddish brown to deep red brown. The sapwood is easily distinguishable as it has a straight wire with few irregularities. The grain is fine.
Grain
Straight to cross-thread, sometimes slightly wavy.
Timber texture
Fine to moderately coarse.
Drying
Natural drying in the open air can be done without any problems. Accelerated drying of Tigerwood can lead to surface cracks.
Workability
The Muiracatiara FSC wood is easy to work with, despite the high density. Gluing is reasonable easy and we have good experiences with finishing. Pre-drilling is recommended. The wood dries fairly quickly, but this process must be done carefully to avoid surface cracks in thin wood and longitudinal cracks in thicker wood.
Screwing/nailing
Good. Pre-drilling is necessary.
Finishing of surface
Good with lacquer and varnish. After sanding, finishing and/or lacquering, it can show its beautiful pattern.
Botanical name
Astronium spec. div.
Origin area
Muiracatiara hardwood grows in Tropical Central America and South America.
Other names
Gonçalo alves, Kingwood, Tigerwood.
Quality requirements
Muiracatiara is mentioned in the NEN 5493 'Quality requirements for hardwood in earth, road and hydraulic engineering works and other constructive applications.
Remarks
FSC® certified Muiracatiara hardwood is available in the Amazon region of Brazil. The trees have a diameter till about 0,6 -1,0 m, with a straight and cylindrical shape and a trunk of about 14-18 m. The sapwood is about 4-10 cm wide
