Walnut, Brazilian - Ipe

Tabebuia spp

Top portion of sample has water-based finish. Bottom portion is oil-based finish.

Appearance

Color: Can vary from light yellowish tan with green overtones to almost blackish brown; exhibits a large range of coloration when freshly milled; darkens over time to medium to dark brown.
Grain: Fine to medium, straight to very irregular.
Variations Within Species And Grades:

Properties

Hardness/Janka: Janka:3680; (185% harder than Northern Red Oak).
Dimensional Stability: Average (8.0; 7% more stable than Northern red oak).
Durability:

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Difficult, especially with hand tools.
Sanding: Difficult. This wood is dense and oily. Scratches are easily seen â€“ each sanding must carefully remove the scratches from the previous cut, or sanding marks will be visible in the finish.
Nailing: Pre-drilling and hand-nailing may be preferred.
Finishing: Test all products before using them on the actual floor. Oil-modified finish will require a lengthy dry time. Successful techniques include using a moisture-cure urethane sealer and a water-borne topcoat, or burnishing and sealing with a shellac-based se
Comments: Often used as a decking material. Has been known to cause contact dermatitis.

Origin: South America.

Availability

Readily available.