Names and distribution: Guayacan, botanically Caesalpinia paraguariensis, family Fabaceae, is widespread in the dry forests of South America, including Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina.
Wood appearance: The sapwood is whitish to yellowish-brown, the heartwood is clearly defined, basic color brown, sometimes also black-violet, fine-pored without growth ring zones or color stripes, scattered pores.
Although the heartwood contains approx. 8% tannins (resins), the wood smells neutral when it is freshly processed. The texture is very fine, simple, matt-glossy, sometimes fiber-entangled, simple. comparatively frequent infestation by fresh wood insects (borers).
Properties: Guayacan is a particularly hard and tough wood. It has a bulk density of 1200 kg/m3 at 12% wood moisture. The shrinkage is specified as 5.5% in the radial direction and 6.4% in the tangential direction. The Brinell hardness is approx. 70 N/mm2 – compared to oak: 34 N/mm2. The modulus of elasticity parallel to the fiber varies between 16,000 and 18,000 N/mm2. Guayacan can only be worked moderately well – comparable to ebony; pre-drilling is absolutely necessary, easy to polish. Permanent.
Use: Special wood for tools, woodturning articles such as billiard balls, also for flooring
Replaces: Pockholz, etc.
| Sources: |
Richter & Dallwitz 2000: Commercial timber Lopez, Little et al. 1987, Paraguay: Maderas de Paraguay |
