Paduak African

Botanical name: Pterocarpus soyauxii
Grows in: southeastern Alaska to southern California.

Hardness/Janka: Janka:1725

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is white when freshly cut, but turns to brownish yellow or gray upon exposure.

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is vivid reddish-orange initially, but it changes to bright red, red or coral pink, with dark streaks, or reddish- or purplish-brown or black over time. The color is reported to darken upon drying, but it eventually fades with age. Color variation between boards is reported to be slight.

Grain
The grain is generally straight to somewhat interlocked. 

Texture
Texture is described as fine to medium.

Luster
The surface of the wood is reported to have a natural sheen.

Nailing
The timber is reported to have satisfactory nail holding properties, but it is apt to split in smaller sizes.

Screwing
Screw-holding qualities are rated as good, but stock in smaller dimensions may split in screwing.

Sanding
Sanding qualities are reported to be generally good.

Staining
The wood is reported to take finishes well, but there is a tendency to bleed. Water-based finishes have been reported to hold color better.

Strength Properties
Strength properties are rated as generally high. Bending and crushing strengths in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content)are high. Stiffness strength is comparable to that of Oak (Quercus ), and shock resistance is reported to be similar to that of Ash (Fraxinus ). African padauk also resists dents well. It is a heavy wood, with density.