Common Name: Bulletwood
Scientific Name: Manilkara bidentata
Wood Appearance: Commonly known as Massaranduba or Bulletwood, is renowned for its exceptional density, strength, and durability. Its wood properties are highly valued for heavy construction, decking, and other demanding applications.
The heartwood is a medium to dark reddish-brown, which darkens with age. The pale yellow or whitish sapwood is distinctly demarcated.
- Physical Properties: The wood is very dense and heavy; it does not float in water.
- Air-dry density (at 12% MC): Approximately 1000-1080 kg/m³ (62.4-67.4 pcf).
- Basic specific gravity (oven-dry weight/green volume): 0.81-0.85.
The wood is generally reported to be difficult to air-season, with a tendency for severe checking and warping if not dried slowly.
- Mechanical Properties: It is an exceptionally strong wood, noted for its high crushing and bending strength, superior to species like Teak and Maple.
- Bending strength at 12% (N/m2): 190
- Modulus of elasticity 12% (N/m2): 19310
- Crushing Strength 12% (N/m2): 88
- Uses: Wharf piles and marine structures, Industrial flooring, heavy furniture, truck beds, bearings and rollers, turnery