PADAUK

Padauk is moderately heavy, strong, and stiff, with exceptional stability. It’s a popular hardwood among hobbyist woodworkers because of its unique color and low cost.

  1. General Details

    Origin :
    Central and tropical west Africa

    Color or Appearance : 
    Heartwood color can vary, ranging from a pale pinkish orange to a deep brownish red. Most pieces tend to start reddish orange when freshly cut, darkening substantially over time to a reddish/purplish brown (some lighter pieces age to a grayish brown). See the article Preventing Color Changes in Exotic Woods for more information.

    Grain/Texture :
    Grain is usually straight, but can sometimes be interlocked. With a coarse, open texture and good natural luster.

    Endgrain : 
    Diffuse-porous; large to very large pores in no specific arrangement, very few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; mineral deposits occasionally present; growth rings indistinct; narrow rays not visible without lens, fairly close to close spacing; parenchyma diffuse-in-aggregates, winged, confluent, and banded.

    Rot Resistance : 
    Has excellent decay resistance, and is rated as durable to very durable. Padauk is also reported to be resistant to termites and other insects.

    Workability : 
    Overall Padauk is easy to work; tearout may also occur during planing on quartersawn or interlocked grain. Padauk turns, glues, and finishes well.

    Odor : 
    Padauk has a faint, pleasing scent while being worked.

    Allergies / Toxicity : 
    Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Padauk has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

    Comman Uses :
    Veneer, flooring, turned objects, musical instruments, furniture, tool handles, and other small specialty wood objects.

  2. Technical Info

    Tree Size :
    100-130 ft (30-40 m) tall, 2-4 ft (.6-1.2 m) trunk diameter

    Average Dried Weight :
    47 lbs/ft3 (745 kg/m3)

    Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC) :
    .61, .75

    Janka Hardness :
    1,970 lbf (8,760 N)

    Modulus of Rupture : 
    16,830 lbf/in2 (116.0 MPa)

    Elastic Modulus :
    1,700,000 lbf/in2 (11.72 GPa)

    Crushing Strength :
    8,130 lbf/in2 (56.0 MPa)

    Shrinkage :
    Radial: 3.3%, Tangential: 5.2%, Volumetric: 7.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.6