Purpleheart

Peltogyne spp.

Sample is square-edged solid strip. Top portion is finished with a water-based urethane; the bottom with an oil-modified polyurethane.

Appearance
COLOR: Heartwood is brown when freshly cut, turning deep purple to purplish brown over time. Sapwood is a lighter cream color.
GRAIN: Usually straight; medium to fine texture.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Moderate to high color variation.

Properties
HARDNESS (JANKA): 1860; 44% harder than Northern red oak.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Excellent (change coefficient .00212; 43% more stable than red oak).
DURABILITY: Very strong and dense.

Workability
SAWING/MACHINING: Moderately difficult due to hardness; frequent sharpening of tools required; slow feed rate and carbide tooling recommended.
SANDING: Sands satisfactorily.
NAILING: Good holding ability.
FINISHING: Takes finishes well; some have found that water-based finishes hold color better. Tendency to bleed with some finishes.
COMMENTS: Heartwood is very resistant to dry-wood termites. Presence of minerals in some boards may cause uneven coloration.

Cost (relative to plainsawn select red oak)
MULTIPLIER: 2.30

Availability
Limited.

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