 Pau Ferro (Machaerium spp.)
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Common Name(s): Pau Ferro, Morado, Bolivian Rosewood, Santos Rosewood Scientific Name: Machaerium spp. Distribution: Tropical South America (mainly Brazil and Bolivia) Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 55 lbs/ft3 (880 kg/m3) Hardness: 2,140 lbf (9,510 N) Bending Strength: 18,300 lbf/in2 (126,210 kPa)* *Estimated bending strength from data of 15% MC wood at: 17,250 lbf/in2 (118,970 kPa) Elasticity: 1,810,000 lbf/in2 (12,480 MPa)* *Estimated elasticity from data of green wood at: 1,410,000 lbf/in2 (9,720 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 2.9%, Tangential: 6.7%, Volumetric: 10.6%, T/R Ratio: 2.3 |
Color/Appearance: Color can be highly varied, ranging from reddish/orange to a dark violet/brown, usually with darker black streaks.
Grain/Pore: Pau Ferro has very small pores and a fine, even texture that has a naturally high luster. (Though depending on the particular species, the wood can have a coarser, more fibrous texture.) Grain is typically straight, though sometimes slightly irregular or interlocked.
Durability: Heartwood is reported to be very resistant to decay fungi, and is durable as long as it is not in direct ground contact.
Workability: Pau Ferro is considered overall to be of fair workability, as it can blunt the cutting edges of tools, and any irregular grain has a tendency to tearout during machining operations. Also, many of the same challenges in gluing rosewoods are common to Pau Ferro as well. Pau Ferro turns and finishes well.
Smell: Depending on the species, the wood can have a characteristic—though mild—scent.
Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Pau Ferro has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price Range: Pau Ferro is in the medium price range for exotic imported hardwoods, and is likely to be much more affordable than some of the scarcer true rosewoods, (Dalbergia genus), of which this wood is often used as substitute.
Comments: Pau Ferro is a wood of many names, and is sometimes called Morado: and because the wood is so similar in appearance and working properties to rosewood, it is also sometimes referred to as Bolivian or Santos Rosewood. The wood has been used in various capacities as a substitute for the endangered Brazilian Rosewood.
Some common uses for Pau Ferro include: veneer, musical instruments, cabinetry, flooring, interior trim, turning, and other small specialty wood objects.
None available.
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Pau Ferro (sanded) |
 Pau Ferro (sealed) |
 Pau Ferro (endgrain) |
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm
This wood gives me a serious skin reaction on my head and neck, but not on my hands (too callused?). It also does not seem to cause any respiratory problems. My head, neck and hands are the only parts of my body exposed when I turn this wood on the lathe. The hives last 24 to 48 hours. So far, I have not found an effective OTC treatment.