South American Hardwood

Ipé

Wood description

The heartwood of Ipé has a greenish brown colour and a very fine stripy pattern. A yellow/green content can be seen in the vessels (Lapachol). The sapwood is easy to dinstinguish. The grain is straight, sometimes irregular or interlocked. The texture is fine.

Name                                                  : Ipé

Scientific name                              : Tabebuia serratifolia

Family                                                 : Bignoniaceae

Origin                                                  : Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru

Other names                                    : Ironwood, Groenhart, Lapacho negro, Wassiba

Natural Durability                          : Class 1 with very good resistance to termites

Density (12%)                                  : 1100 kg/m³

Bending strength (12%)               : 166 N/mm²

Shrinkage (%)                                  : rad. 2,3%, tang. 3,2%

Drying                                                 : slow drying recommended, risk of distortion

Working                                             : moderately difficult; power required

Finishing                                            : good

Uses                                                     : industrial and parquet flooring, cabinets, sleepers, stairs,                                                                    furniture, naval construction, hydraulic works, interior and                                                                  exterior joinery.