ebony macassar

Ebony Macassar
(Diospyros discolor (celebica))

Common Names: Macassar ebony Camagon Coromandel Calamander wood Golden ebony Indian ebony Tendu Temru Tunki Timbruni Purchase Ebony Macassar

Mechanical Values

Category	Green	Dry	Units
Weight		68	lbs/cu.ft.
Density (air-dry)
Specific Gravity		1.0
Hardness
Stiffness
Bending Strength
Shearing Strength
Max. Crushing Strength
Work to Maximum Load
Radial Shrinkage (G->OD)
Tangential Shrink. (G->OD)
Volumetric Shrink (G->OD)

Environmental Profile
The environmental status of Macassar ebony within its natural range is reported to be Rare (Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center - 1992 ).

Distribution
The growth range of the species is reported to include the East Indies, Philippine Islands, and the Celebes Islands of Indonesia. It prefers well-drained, rocky soil, and is sometimes found near water but never in swamps.

Product Sources
Macassar ebony is reported to be rare and is one of the most expensive timbers on the commercial market. Veneer is reported to be more available but is also costly.

Tree Data
The tree is reported to be generally small, and attains an average height of about 50 feet (15 m), with a trunk diameter of about 16 inches (41 cm). Boles are reported to be often straight and clear from branches for 8 to 15 feet (2.4 to 4.6 m).

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is described as uniform light red in color.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is reported to be black with reddish or reddish brown streaks. The combination of colors is reported to make the wood an attractive choice for face veneers.

Grain
The grain is typically straight to roey.

Texture
Texture is reported to be fine.

Luster
Luster is described as metallic.

Odor
There is no discernible odor or taste.

Ease of Drying
The heartwood is reported to be rather difficult to season, especially thicker stock, and should be seasoned slowly to prevent defects. Trees are sometimes girdled and allowed to dry out for two years before felling. Air-drying for six-months after this procedure is reported to give the best results.

Drying Defects
Long, fine, and deep checks are reported to be some common degrades in drying the heartwood. Rapid drying may also cause the wood to develop end- and surface-checks.

Movement in Service
Macassar ebony is reported to be very stable after seasoning, and shows only small movement in use.

Natural Durability
The heartwood is reported to have high natural resistance to decay, but it is susceptible to attack by forest longhorn beetle. Resistance to termite attack is rated as moderate.

Resistance to Impregnation
The timber is reported to be highly resistant to preservative treatment.

Toxic Constituents
Sawdust from machining operations is reported to cause irritation in some individuals.

Cutting Resistance
Cutting resistance is reported to be high because of its hardness.

Blunting Effect
Blunting effect on cutting edges is rated as rather severe.

Planing
Macassar ebony is reported to work rather slowly because it is hard. Reduced cutting angles are recommended for best results in machining operations. Working properties are rated as generally difficult becuase the wood tends to be brittle.

Turning
The timber is reported to have high turning qualities.

Gluing
Gluing qualities are reported to be satisfactory.

Nailing & Screwing
Nailing and screwing are reported to be difficult without pre-boring.

Polishing
The timber is reported to take an excellent finish.

Response to Hand Tools
The material is reported to be rather hard to work with hand tools.

Strength Properties
It is exceptionally heavy, weighing much more than White oak or Teak.

Comments
Macassar ebony heartwood is reported to be strong, very heavy, and very hard. The black heart is usually brittle, and the wood is used mostly for decorative purposes. The appearance of ebony is sometimes imitated by staining other woods, such as Hornbeam (Ostrya ), a black color.