Scientific name: Dalbergia nigra
Origin: Central & South America
Local names: Rio rosewood, jacaranda, palissander,
Length: 300 - 1500 mm, scantlings, air dry
Rosewood, scantlings, air dry.
Description: The color of rosewood is variegated with shades of brown and violet with irregular black streaks. The somewhat oily appearance, and the sapwood is nearly white and sharply def luster is low to medium. Rosewood is very fragrant when cut. The smell is not as pronounced in young trees. The grain is mostly straight, sometimes wavy and the texture rather coarse. The weight varies from 750 to 900 kg/m3. Brazilian rosewood is very durable, the heartwood resists biodegradation.
Mechanical properties: This timber has a good reputation in all categories except stiffness, which is low and therefore has very good steam bending classification for straight grained material.
Workability: There is a severe blunting effect on cutting edges and tends to be difficult to work. Requires pre-boring for nailing; gluing can be troublesome and the oiliness can also make high polishing difficult. However, with care, a beautiful smooth finish can be obtained.
Uses: Rosewood has been used for 300 years in making furniture and cabinets and still maintains its long established reputation as one of the most esteemed woods of the word. It also has been commonly used for knife handles, billiard tables, piano cases, parquet flooring, wood sculpture, carving and turnery. This wood has been the first choice as a tone-wood for the finest of stringed musical instruments. Selected logs are sliced for paneling, doors, etc., and face veneers for all forms of decorative veneering.
Density: 850 kg/m3 at 12 % moisture content
Total tangential shrinkage: 6.0 %
Total radial shrinkage: 2.0 %
Modulus of elasticity: medium
Very durable.
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