Botanically, Massaranduba(Manilkara huberi) belongs to the Sapotaceae family and is mainly found in the Amazon region of Brazil. Other species of the genus Manilkara grow in Central America, Africa and Asia. The Manilkara zapote found in Guatemala, which produces wood and latex (chicozapote, chicle = chewing gum raw material), should be emphasized. However, this species is protected because of its important secondary use for the local population.
Sapwood narrow and reddish gray. Heartwood pink to strong red, later darkening to reddish brown. Pores very fine to fine, hyalinized and arranged in short, radial chains; visible on longitudinal section as light pore grooves. Medullary rays very narrow, only recognizable on brain sections. Storage cells in narrow, not always continuous bands of 2 to 6 mm. Alternating growth occurring, overall appearance plain.
The density at 12% moisture content is approx. 1.08 t/m3. The shrinkage values of Massarandouba are 9.4% tangential and 7.1% radial. Wood tends to crack and must therefore be dried slowly and gently. The processing is demanding. Due to its silicate content, the wood has a strong blunting effect on tools. Easy to polish but practically impossible to glue; sanding dust can irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes.
E-modulus is 20,000 N/mm2, but can also be higher (e.g. for use as a bow). Very high hardness, comparable to Ipé. Very slow water absorption. Weatherproof (resistance class 1-2).
Nothing is known about leaching of ingredients.
Construction timber for heavy-duty outdoor use, for particularly hard-wearing floors, bridges and sleepers, turner’s wood, instrument making wood (simple bows).
| Sources: |
GOTTWALD 1970: Wood identification of the most important commercial timbers WAGENFÜHR (1996) Wood atlas RICHTER and DALLWITZ (2000): Commercial timber |
