WOOD SPECIES · Hardwood
Tauari: density, weight and properties
Couratari spp.
Tauari (Couratari spp.) averages 620 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
- 620 kg/m³Average for mature wood; varies with origin and growth
- Monnin hardness at 12%
- 2.7French surface-hardness index; not convertible to Janka
- Bending strength (modulus of rupture)
- 87 MPa
- Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
- 14,500 MPa
- Compression parallel to grain
- 48 MPa
- Tangential shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 7.0%
- Radial shrinkage, green to oven-dry
- 4.5%
- Fibre saturation point
- 28%
Weight at 12% moisture content
Volume × 620 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 | 620 kg |
| 1 board foot | 12 × 12 × 1 in | 1.46 kg |
| 1×4 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 2.56 kg |
| 1×6 board, 8 ft | 3/4 × 5 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 4.02 kg |
| 2×4 board, 8 ft | 1 1/2 × 3 1/2 in actual × 8 ft | 5.12 kg |
| 2×6 board, 10 ft | 1 1/2 × 5 1/2 in actual × 10 ft | 10.1 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 28% (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 | 2.1 mm (0.084 in) | 1.4 mm (0.054 in) |
| 6 percentage points | 4.3 mm (0.169 in) | 2.8 mm (0.108 in) |
Wood movement across the grain · Moisture content and acclimatising wood
Natural durability
Durability of the heartwood against wood-decay fungi: class 5 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
Tauari covers several Couratari species whose wood can vary noticeably. Cutting blunts tools, so stellite saw teeth and carbide tools are recommended, and pilot holes are needed. The heartwood is not durable but takes preservative treatment easily (Tropix).
Typical uses
- Furniture
- Chairs and seating
- Mouldings
- Interior joinery and millwork
- Flooring
- Plywood
- Turnery
Calculate with this material
Species with similar density
- Black walnut 616 kg/m³
- Eucalyptus grandis 600 kg/m³
- European larch 600 kg/m³
Sources & references
Uses and working notes summarise the cited source. Check the moisture content, grade and origin of the wood you actually buy.