Bitter Angelim Hardwood
(Vatairea lundellii)
Bitter Angelim, or Mora as it is known in Nicaragua, is a large tropical tree that with a range throughout Central America. When freshly cut, its grain is bright yellow, darkening with esposure to a medium brown. Because it is durable and stable, but also very attractive, Bitter Angelim is used for a variety of purposes from furniture to interior and exterior construction.
More about the species
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name: Vatairea lundellii
Other Names: Mora (Nicaragua, Costa Rica), Amargoso (Honduras), Angelim, Faveira (Brazil), Caralillo, Bitterwood, Amargo (Panama), Danto, Ramon (Guatemala)
Workability: Whether machining or working by hand, Bitter Angelim is a highly workable hardwood that responds well to gluing and use of fasteners. Using sharp cutting tools for planing, chiseling, turning, etc. will ensure results of a high caliber, although the blunting affect is moderately high.
Drying: Vatairea lundellii’s heartwood dries at a moderately slow rate, in a consistently stable manner, developing few defects. Once dry, it is an easy hardwood to seal, readily accepting finishes and treatments. Kiln schedules T5-D3 and T3-D2 are recommended for 4/4 and 8/4 stocks, respectively.
Durability: Overall, a very durable tropical hardwood, Bitter Angelim possesses high natural resistance to both dry wood borers, like termites, and rotting. Its grain, also responds to preservative treatments well, making it a preferable choice for exterior construction.
Uses: Furniture, doors, windows, structural components (interior and exterior), joinery, decking, railroad crossties, veneers, paneling, cabinetry
Technical Data
Janka hardness: 1,420 lbs
Density: 753 Kg/m3, 0.75 g/cm3
Bending strength: 14,600 psi
Modulous of elasticity: 1,790 (1,000 psi)
Tangential shrinkage: 7.4%
Radial shrinkage: 3.4%
* All values given at 12% moisture content.