Technical specie specifications for Purpleheart from Fantastic Floor - Discount Exotic and Domestic Hardwood Flooring, Prefinished Solid Flooring, Unfinished Solid Flooring and Engineered Flooring.

Purpleheart Hardwood Flooring

  • Scientific Name, Other Names: Peltogyne, Violetwood, Amaranth, Pau Roxo, Roxihno, Pau Violeta, Amaranth
  • Description: The breathtaking coloring that has made Purpleheart world famous occurs when its freshly cut brown heartwood is exposed to the air, rapidly turning deep purple. Over time, prolonged exposure to light causes the heartwood to slowly transition from purple to a rich, dark brownish-purple shade. Purpleheart also possesses complimentary tones that can range from pale pink to whitish-grey. Purpleheart is very popular not only because of its amazing color, but also for its high level of durability. This wood serves as stunning decorative accent to any room and is sure to catch the admiring eye of any visitor.
  • Janka Hardness: 1,860 pounds
  • Strength (MOR): 21,300 psi
  • Stiffness (MOE): 2,420 1000 psi
  • Density (KG/m3): 1,057
  • Tangential Shrinkage: 6.1 %
  • Radial Shrinkage: 3.2 %
  • About:
  • Family: Peltogyne
  • Tree Characteristics: The trees grow to heights of 170 ft. with diameters to 4 ft, but usually 1.5 to 3 ft; boles are straight, cylindrical, and clear 60 to 90 ft above buttresses up to 12 ft. high.
  • Geographic Area: Found in the north-middle part of the Brazilian Amazon region.
  • Color: Heartwood is brown. Sapwood is off-white to light cream.
  • Photosensitivity: After the initial cutting of the wood, Purpleheart darkens from brown to its more renowned vibrant purple. Additional exposure to UV will turn it back to brown with heavy purple undertones.
  • Luster: Medium to High
  • Grain: Usually straight, sometimes wavy, roey, or irregular
  • Texture: Medium to Fine
  • Drying Characteristics: Reports vary, from air dries easily to moderately difficult. Best to acclimate 2 weeks prior to installation.
  • Working Characteristics: Moderately difficult to work with either hand or machine tools, dulls cutters, exudes a gummy resin when heated by dull tools; slow feed rates and specially hardened cutters are suggested. Turns smoothly, easy to glue, and takes finishes well.
  • Durability Rating: Heartwood is rated as highly durable in resistance to attack by decay fungi; very resistant to dry-wood termites; but little resistance to marine borers.
  • Applications: Wood sculptures and carvings, billiard accessories, and shipbuilding. Because of this wood's resistance to acidity, it is used in the construction of chemical vats. In flooring, it makes impressive trim, inlays, and accents.

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