hardwood · Dalbergia melanoxylon
African Blackwood wood properties
Also known as: mpingo, grenadilla.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Dalbergia melanoxylon |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 2,603,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 1.27 |
| Density (approx) | 79 lb/ft³ (6.6 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 3,670 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 4.8% / 2.9% |
| Region | Dry savanna of central and southern Africa |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of African Blackwood weighs about 26.4 lb (roughly 79 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 3,670 lbf is harder than about 99% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: musical instruments, inlay, carving, tool handles, turned objects.
Durability: Very durable against decay yet only moderately able to resist insects and borers.
Workability: Extremely hard on tools and tough to machine, but unrivaled for fine lathe turning.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to African Blackwood:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (citing USDA FPL and related sources). This imported species is not listed in the FPL/Hoadley dimensional change coefficient table, so CT/CR and movement source are omitted. Uses, region, durability and workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.