Purple Heart Wood
Quick Facts:
Common Name’s: Purpleheart, Amaranth
Scientific Name: Peltogyne spp.
Tree size in length: 100-170 feet/ 30-50 meter
Tree size in diameter: 3-5 feet/100-150 cm
Average dried weight: 56 lbs per cubic ft/ 905 kg per cubic meter
Shrinkage radial: 3.8%
Shrinkage tangential: 6.4%
Shrinkage volumetric: 10.6%
Odor: Varies depending upon the species: most species have no characteristic odor, though some species can have a pungent scent.
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern.
General Info:
When freshly cut the heartwood of Purpleheart is a dull grayish/purplish brown. Upon exposure the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple. With further age and exposure to UV light, the wood becomes a dark brown with a hint of purple. This color-shift can be slowed and minimized by using a UV inhibiting finish on the wood.
Grain/Texture:
The grain is usually straight, but can also be wavy or irregular. Has a medium texture with good natural luster.
Workability:
Working with Purpleheart can present some unique challenges: if the wood is heated with dull tools, or if cutter speeds are too high, Purpleheart will exude a gummy resin that can clog tools and complicate the machining process. Depending on the grain orientation, can be difficult to plane without tearout. Purpleheart also has a moderate dulling effect on cutters.
Notes/Comments:
Sometimes called Amaranth, this colorful Latin American hardwood is tremendously popular for furniture and other designs that call for a unique splash of color.
In addition to its coloration, Purpleheart has excellent strength properties, and can be used in applications where strength is important—a wood for both form and function.
