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What is Massaranduba?
Massaranduba, also known as Balatá or Brazilian cherry wood, is a tropical hardwood species originating from South America, particularly from countries such as Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela. The wood is renowned for its exceptional hardness, durability, and rich, dark brown color, making it a popular choice for various applications both indoors and outdoors.
Features of Massaranduba
Origin
- Geographical Area: Massaranduba grows in the rainforests of South America, mainly in Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and Venezuela.
- Tree Height: The Massaranduba tree can reach a height of 30 to 50 meters, with a straight trunk that can have a diameter of 0.6 to 1.5 meters.
Appearance and Structure
- Color: The heartwood of Massaranduba ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown, and it may darken over time. The sapwood is lighter in color, often light yellow to pinkish.
- Texture and Grain: Massaranduba has a fine to medium texture and a straight grain, although sometimes interlocked grain can occur.
- Luster: The wood has a natural, moderate luster.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1,050-1,200 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content |
| Bending Strength (MOR) | 140-160 N/mm² |
| Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) | 22,000-24,000 N/mm² |
| Compressive Strength (parallel to the grain) | 70-80 N/mm² |
| Hardness (Janka) | 3,190-3,840 N |
Durability and Resistance
- Durability Class: Massaranduba falls into durability class 1, which means that the wood is highly durable and exceptionally resistant to rot and fungi.
- Weather Resistance: Massaranduba is highly weather-resistant, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use without the need for chemical treatment.
- Insect Resistance: The wood is well resistant to insect infestations, including termites.
Applications of Massaranduba
Massaranduba is versatile and used in a wide range of applications:
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Construction and Building
- Decks and Patios: Massaranduba is ideal for decks and patios due to its durability, hardness, and resistance to weather conditions.
- Cladding: The wood is suitable for cladding due to its aesthetic value and weather resistance.
- Wood Structures: Massaranduba can be used for pergolas, carports, and other outdoor structures.
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Interior Applications
- Flooring: Massaranduba is a popular choice for hardwood flooring due to its hardness and attractive color.
- Furniture: The wood is used for furniture such as tables, chairs, and cabinets due to its fine texture and luster.
- Doors and Frames: Massaranduba is a great choice for doors and frames due to its strength and stability.
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Garden and Landscape Architecture
- Garden Furniture: Massaranduba is suitable for garden furniture due to its durability and natural appearance.
- Fences and Gates: The wood is ideal for fences and gates due to its weather resistance and aesthetic value.
Advantages of Massaranduba
- Exceptional Durability: Massaranduba is highly durable and resistant to rot, fungi, and insects, making it ideal for long-term use.
- Weather Resistance: The wood is excellent at withstanding weather conditions, making it suitable for outdoor use without additional treatment.
- High Hardness: Massaranduba is very hard and wear-resistant, making it ideal for flooring, decks, and other heavily used applications.
- Aesthetic Value: The wood has a rich, dark brown color and a natural luster, making it visually appealing.
Disadvantages of Massaranduba
- Workability: Massaranduba can be difficult to work with due to its high density and hardness, which can lead to quicker dulling of tools.
- Weight: The wood is very heavy, making transport and installation more challenging.
- Color Variation: The color of Massaranduba can vary, which may result in inconsistent aesthetics in larger projects.
- Price: Due to its excellent properties, Massaranduba can be more expensive than other types of wood.
Conclusion
Massaranduba, sourced from the Koompassia malaccensis tree, is an extraordinarily durable and hard wood species from South America. With its rich, dark brown color, exceptional durability, and weather resistance, it is an excellent choice for various applications, both indoors and outdoors. Although it has some drawbacks, such as workability and weight, the advantages of Massaranduba make it a valuable wood species for high-quality and long-lasting projects.