hardwood · Peltogyne spp.
Purpleheart wood properties
Also known as: amaranth, roxinho, violeta.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Peltogyne spp. |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 2,937,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.90 |
| Density (approx) | 56 lb/ft³ (4.7 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 2,520 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 6.4% / 3.8% |
| Region | Central and South America (Mexico to southern Brazil) |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of Purpleheart weighs about 18.7 lb (roughly 56 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 2,520 lbf is harder than about 88% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: inlay, flooring, furniture, boatbuilding, heavy construction, turned objects.
Durability: Very durable; resists decay and most insects, but susceptible to marine borers.
Workability: Can be difficult; exudes gummy resin when overheated, prone to tearout, moderate dulling of cutters, color deepens with light.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to Purpleheart:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). SG is the 12% MC value (0.90). Not in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional-change table, so movement coefficients are omitted. Uses, region, durability, workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.