Common Name: Tauroniro
Scientific Name: Humiria balsamifera
Wood Appearance: Tauroniro heartwood varies from a fawn color to light brown or reddish brown.Some descriptions note a light purplish rose brown to purplish red brown heartwood. The sapwood is narrow, light brown, and often poorly demarcated from the heartwood. The wood has a medium texture and a grain that is typically straight to interlocked.It exhibits a medium luster and is without a distinct odor or taste.
Physical Properties: Tauroniro is a heavy and hard wood, known for its excellent mechanical strength. Its air-dried density (at 12% moisture content) is reported as 1060 kg/m³ 22 or 950 kg/m³ (0.95 g/cm³) , with an air-dry density of approximately 801 kg/m³ . The basic specific gravity ranges from 0.66 to 0.81. The Janka hardness for dry material is 1610 lbs., and 1320 lbs. for green wood. The average toughness is 146 in.-lb.23 The wood exhibits moderate movement. Shrinkage values from green to oven-dry include radial shrinkage of 7.2-8.2% and tangential shrinkage of 9.5-9.7%, with volumetric shrinkage around 15.7-17.6%. These shrinkage rates suggest a need for careful drying to avoid distortion.
Mechanical Properties: Tauroniro possesses excellent mechanical strength. Its compressive strength is reported at 61.7 MPa or 8,950 psi at 12% MC. the bending strength is 129.4 MPa or 18,770 psi at 12% MC. The modulus of elasticity (stiffness) is 17.3 MPa or 2,510 (1,000 psi) at 12% MC. The variability in reported density values, ranging from approximately 800 kg/m³ to 1060 kg/m³, indicates that the mechanical properties of Tauroniro may vary depending on the specific source or growth conditions of the timber. For structural applications where precise strength is critical, this variability suggests the importance of specific material testing.
Uses: Tauroniro has wide-ranging industrial applications, including furniture, general construction, shipping, automotive, and the music industry. It is well-suited for heavy construction, various types of flooring (industrial, parquet), wheel spokes, and is suggested as a possible decorative veneer. Its use in hydraulic works (fresh water) and bridges is also noted.