Purperhart

The dull brown Purple Heart has a heartwood that discolours quickly to an attractive purple-blue when exposed to light. If the wood is not finished, the purple colour turns to dull brown when exposed to ultra-violet light. The sapwood is white to grey-brown and is 30-60 mm thick.

Properties of this timber species

General

• Botanical name: Peltogyne venosa / Peltogyne confertiflora / Peltogyne paniculata / Peltogyne catingae / Peltogyne spec. div.
• ATIBT name: Amarante

 Quality requirements

• Purple Heart is listed in the Dutch norm NEN 5493 'Quality Requirements For Hardwoods In Road Construction Works, Hydraulic Engineering Works And Other Structural Applications’

 Uses

• Primarily for decorative work, sculptures, panelling, frames, knobs and handles, rulers, supports and veneer
• In the Netherlands, Purple Heart is used for parquet, inside doors, sectioned decks for jetties, trailer floors and garden applications
• In the countries of origin, it is used for construction timber, door and window frames, balconies, industrial floors, hydraulic works and bridge-building, fendering and boat keels

 Durability

• Resistance to fungi: class 2-3 (durable – moderately durable)
• Resistance to insects: Termites class D (sapwood and heartwood very durable)

 Density

• (700)-750-850-900-(1050) kg/m³ at 12% moisture content
• Fresh 1100 kg/m³

source: Houtvademecum © 2010 Centrum Hout Almere, 10e herziene druk