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PZC Chatometry

A standard system to measure wood chatoyance

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    • Woodworker’s Guide to Chatoyance
    • Woodworker’s Guide to Chatoyance – Compact Edition

Fuma

ceiba pentandra, Malvaceae, Angiospermae (Hardwood)

reference picture – see below for more pictures

Other names: Ceiba, Mapajo, Toborochi, Paneira, Sumauna, Bonga, Ceiba uchuputu, Guambush, Kumaka, Silk cotton, Fromager, Mahot coton, Huimba, Kankantrie, Koemaka, Ceiba yucca

Chatoyance was measured by the chatometry.com team using the PZC method. The statistics for this specific timber are hereby summarized to provide an evaluation of data robustness:
Number of sources for samples: 2
Number of individual trees analyzed: 2
Number of specimens: 5
Number of measurements: 15
Max PZC read (of all measurements): 8.6
Min PZC read (of all measurements): 6.7
Max PZC average on one log: 7.8
Min PZC average on one log: 7.4
PZC Average of all logs: 7.6

Species: ceiba pentandra
Family: Malvaceae
Clade: Angiospermae
Description: A large, tropical deciduous tree known as the Kapok tree, featuring a massive, often buttressed and spiny trunk, palmate leaves, and large pods filled with fluffy kapok fiber.
Other Local Names: Ceiba, Mapajo, Toborochi, Paneira, Sumauna, Bonga, Ceiba, Ceiba uchuputu, Guambush, Kumaka, Silk cotton, Fromager, Mahot coton, Ceiba, Huimba, Kankantrie, Koemaka, Ceiba, Ceiba yucca

Reference Colour: Creamy white
Texture: Coarse
Grain: Interlocked grain
Interlocked Grain: Slight
Notes: Logs must be treated, extracted, sawn and dryed as soon as possible after felling. Wood cream white to light yellow, often with greyish veins.

Diameter: 70÷180cm
Density @12% MC: 320kg/m³
Janka Hardness: 240lbf
Crushing Strength @12%MC: 22MPa
Static Bending Strength @12%MC: 36MPa
Longitudinal Modulus of Elasticity E: 5.08GPa
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient: 0.36% per %
Total Tangential Shrinkage TS: 6.3%
Total Radial Shrinkage TS: 3%
T/R Anisotropy Ratio: 2.1-
Fibre Saturation Point: 34%
Thermal Conductivity: 0.12W/mk
Sapwood Demarcation: Not demarcated

Resistance to Decay: Class 5 – non-durable
Resistance to Dry Wood Borers: Class S – susceptible (risk in all the wood)
Resistance to Termites: Class S – susceptible SUMAUMA Cross sections of Ceiba pentandra
Treatability: Class 1 – treatable
Use Class Covered by Natural Durability: Class 1 – inside (no risk of dampness)
Durability Notes: This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard.

Log Buoyancy: Floats
Log Conservation: Low (treatment necessary)
Drying Rate: Normal to slow
Drying Risk of Distortion: Slight risk
Drying Risk of Case Hardening: No known specific risk
Drying Risk of Checking: Slight risk

Blunting Effect: Normal
Machining Tool: Ordinary
Suitability for Peeling: Good
Suitability for Slicing: Not recommended or without interest
Sawing Machining Notes: Fuzzy surface. Frequent sharpening recommended.
Assembly Nailing Screwing: Poor
End Uses: Boxes and crates, Built-in furniture or mobile item, Veneer for back or face of plywood, Moulding, Veneer for interior of plywood, Blockboard, Insulation, Pulp

Source 1: Tropical Timber Atlas, Editions Quae, e-ISBN 978-2-7592-2770-9

Pictures – each from a different individual tree:

Log 1 (from [Source 27]) – PZC = 7.5
Log 2 (from Joey Montagut) – PZC = 8.3

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