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Purple Heart
Purpleheart is an exotic wood with mechanical properties of the wood are reported to lie somewhere between those of Greenheart and Oak. It is reported to have exceptional tolerance for shock loading. Purpleheart is reported to be highly desired by hobbyists and craftsmen who use the hard heavy wood in small projects.
Length: Not specified
Thickness: Hit and miss to 15/16 inches
- Common Name(s): Purpleheart, Amaranth
- Scientific Name: Peltogyne spp.
- Distribution: Central and South America (from Mexico down to southern Brazil)
- Tree Size: 100-170 ft (30-50 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 56 lbs/ft³ (900 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 2,520 lbf (11,200 N)
- Crushing Strength: 11,640 lbf/in² (80.3 MPa)
Heartwood: When freshly cut, the heartwood of Purpleheart is a dull grayish/purplish brown. Upon exposure, the wood becomes a deeper eggplant purple.
Sapwood: Narrow and pale yellow.
Grain: Usually straight, but can also be wavy or irregular.
Texture: Medium texture with a good natural luster.
Rated as very durable and resistant to insect attack.
Purpleheart is generally difficult to work with due to its density. The wood can also exude a gummy resin that can clog sanding belts and dull cutters. However, it turns, glues, and finishes well.
- Fine furniture
- Veneer
- Turned objects
- Specialty wood items
- Flooring
- Boatbuilding
Purpleheart is prized for its unique coloration, making it a popular choice for decorative applications. The wood’s density and hardness provide excellent durability, although it can be challenging to work with.
Note: The vibrant purple color of Purpleheart tends to darken over time with prolonged exposure to light, shifting to a brownish-purple. Applying a finish with UV inhibitors can help preserve its color.