WOOD SPECIES · Hardwood
Ipê: density, weight and properties
Handroanthus spp. (syn. Tabebuia)
Ipê (Handroanthus spp. (syn. Tabebuia)) averages 1,040 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content, according to CIRAD’s Tropix database. The figures below are averages for clear, mature wood; individual boards vary with origin, growth and moisture.
Key figures
- Density at 12% moisture
- 1,040 kg/m³Average for mature wood; varies with origin and growth
- Monnin hardness at 12%
- 14.6French surface-hardness index; not convertible to Janka
- Bending strength (modulus of rupture)
- 166 MPa
- Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
- 22,760 MPa
- Compression parallel to grain
- 95 MPa
- Tangential shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 6.4%
- Radial shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 5.1%
- Fibre saturation point
- 20%
Weight at 12% moisture content
Volume × 1,040 kg/m³, the same calculation as the weight calculator. Green or wet wood weighs considerably more.
| Piece | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic metre | 1,000 × 1,000 × 1,000 mm | 1,040 kg |
| 1 board foot | 12 × 12 × 1 in | 2.45 kg |
| 1×4 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 4.29 kg |
| 1×6 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 5 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 6.75 kg |
| 2×4 board, 8 ft | 1 1/2 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 8.59 kg |
| 2×6 board, 10 ft | 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 in actual × 10 ft | 16.9 kg |
Movement across the width
How much a board 11 1/4 in (286 mm) wide changes when its moisture content moves by a few percentage points. The estimate uses the total shrinkage above and a linear relation below the fibre saturation point of 20% (Wood Handbook Eq. 4-9). Flat-sawn boards move with tangential shrinkage, quartersawn boards with radial shrinkage.
| Moisture change | Flat-sawn | Quartersawn |
|---|---|---|
| 3 percentage points | 2.7 mm (0.108 in) | 2.2 mm (0.086 in) |
| 6 percentage points | 5.5 mm (0.216 in) | 4.4 mm (0.172 in) |
Wood movement across the grain · Moisture content and acclimatising wood
Natural durability
Durability of the heartwood against wood-decay fungi: class 1 on the EN 350 scale from 1 (very durable) to 5 (not durable), as reported by Tropix. The rating applies to heartwood only.
Working and finishing
Very dense and hard: Tropix recommends stellite-tipped saws, carbide tools, pilot holes and particular care when gluing. Interlocked grain causes some difficulty, the dust can cause dermatitis and a pore filler is recommended for a good finish. Handroanthus species are listed in CITES Appendix II.
Typical uses
- Decking
- Heavy-duty flooring
- Marine and freshwater works
- Interior stairs
- Turnery
- Tool handles
Calculate with this material
Species with similar density
Sources & references
Uses and working notes summarise the cited source. Check the moisture content, grade and origin of the wood you actually buy.