Common Names:   Goncalo alves Kingwood Zebrawood Zorrowood Tigerwood Mura Urunday-para Bois de zebre Bossona Purchase Goncalo Alves

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
The environmental status of the species within its natural habitat has not been officially assessed.

Distribution
The geographical range of the species is reported to be tropical South America, and includes Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Another very similar species, which is also marketed as Goncalo alves is A. graveolens , grows in the upland forest of many regions from Mexico and Central America to Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Ecuador.

Product Sources
Some material from this species is reported to be available from environmentally responsible or sustainably managed sources. 

The timber is reported to be rather plentiful within its growth range, but supplies, especially in lumber form, are very limited on the U.S. Market. When available it is reported to be priced in the expensive range. 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick boards are reported to cost about US$9.00 per board foot, and veneer for marquetry is reported to cost about US$1.25 per square foot (Source - Wood and Wood Magazine, August, 1995 ).

Tree Data
The tree reaches a height of up to 120 feet (37 m), with a trunk diameter of 24 to 40 inches (60 to 100 cm) or more above narrow flanged buttresses that are about 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) high. It develops well-formed cylindrical boles that are often clear for about two-thirds or more of the total height of the tree. 

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is described as dirty gray or brownish-white in color. It is about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) wide, and is clearly defined from the heartwood.

Heartwood Color
The wood has been described as light golden brown to reddish brown, with irregularly spaced blackish brown streaks.

Grain
The grain is usually wavy or interlocked, and is irregular. The wood has alternating bands of hard and soft tissue, and a mottled figure similar to that of Rosewood is reported to be occasionally present .

Texture
The texture is typically fine.

Luster
The wood has medium to dull luster.

Odor
There is no characteristic odor or taste.

Ease of Drying
A slow drying rate has been recommended to prevent degrade. The timber is reported to be rather difficult to dry.

Drying Defects
Rapid air-drying rates may cause excessive warping and checking.

Movement in Service
The timber is reported to be dimensionally stable after seasoning, and shows only small movement under actual use conditions.

T/R Ratio
1.75
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The wood is reported to be highly regarded for its durability. It is resistant to attack by beetles and is used for boat building and general construction.

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to chemical impregnation is reported to be very high.

Veneering Qualities
Some logs are reported to be converted into sliced veneers for architectural paneling and face veneering.

Cutting Resistance
Goncalo alves is hard, heavy, and dense and requires power tools with carbide-tipped blades and cutters to work. A rip-profile blade with a maximum of 28 teeth has been recommended for ripping to allow sawdust to clear and to prevent charring from heat buildup. Highly figured wood should be crosscut with the help of a backing board to prevent tearout.

Planing
Straight-grained wood can be fed into the planer at a 90 degree angle, but a cutting angle of 15 degrees is normally recommended because of alternating bands of hard and soft material as well as irregular and interlocked grain. Slow feeding rates have also been recommended, and shallower cuts are suggested if any tearout occurs during planing.

Turning
Straight-grained wood is reported to turn easily with sharp tools, but highly figured material requires care to prevent tearout. 

Boring
To avoid burning, a slower speed (about 250 rpm) has been recommended in boring. Backing the drill out periodically during deep drilling has also been recommended. Twist drills should be avoided since they tend to cause breakout. Bradpoint bits and the use of a back board under the material being drilled can minimize tearout. 

Moulding
A cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended for best results. 

Routing
Bits with ball bearing pilots, a consistent feed rate, and shallower passes have been suggested for best results.

Carving
Power carving tools with carbide-tipped burrs are reported to be essential. Starting with medium-cut burrs and progressing to fine ones has been recommended, since coarse burrs tend to chip the wood.

Gluing
Wood surface should be pre-treated by wiping with a solvent to clear natural extractives, and it is advisable to use glues with a longer open time, such as woodworker's white glue. The recommended gluing procedure is the application of a light coat, brief joining of the pieces, separating the pieces and allowing the glue to partially set, and then rejoining the pieces.

Nailing
Pre-boring is recommended before nailing.

Screwing
Screws should be lubricated for easier operations. Screw-holding properties are reported to be very good.

Sanding
The wood is reported to be generally easy to sand, but extra attention should be paid to grits since avoiding them may leave scratches that are very difficult to remove. Using a cabinet scraper and sanding with the grain have been recommended for the best results.

Polishing
The wood can be polished and finished very easily. No grain filling is required and a clear finish has been suggested to enhance the beauty of the wood. 

Steam Bending
The wood is reported to be unsuitable for steam bending.

Strength Properties
Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is very high. Maximum crushing strength, or compression parallel to grain, is exceptionally high. The species has very high density. 

Comments
A lesser-known-species from Central and South America, Goncalo alves is reported to be one of the most beautiful tropical woods. It is tough, strong and durable, and is suited primarily for construction and secondarily for fine furniture.

Substitutes
This hard and heavy wood is reported to possess strength properties that are similar to those of American dogwood (Cornus florida ), and is used as a substitute for the production of bobbins. The wood is also reported to be used to produce knife handles as a substitute for Cocobolo (Dalbergia ).