Working with Freijo in Wood and Epoxy Tabletops
Freijo (derived from botanical species including Cordia goeldiana, Cordia trichotoma, and Cordia p.p.) is a Latin American hardwood known for high-class furniture, cabinetry, and joinery. When planning an epoxy river table or wood-and-epoxy composite tabletop, evaluating raw wood stability, hardness, and machining traits is essential before pouring resin. The following guide addresses key shop questions using data from the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Cordia goeldiana, Cordia trichotoma, Cordia p.p. | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Light brown; texture medium; grain straight or interlocked; interlocked grain slight | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.58 | about 36.2 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 6.0 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 2.3 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 6.3 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 4.3 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.5 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.55 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 22 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 48 MPa | about 6,960 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 86 MPa | about 12,470 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 17,270 MPa | about 2,505,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 2 – durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class M – moderately durable | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 3 – poorly permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 3 – not in ground contact, outside | |
| Drying | rate rapid; distortion: slight risk; checking: slight risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 55–65 °C | about 131–149 °F |
| Machining | blunting normal; saw teeth: ordinary or alloy steel; cutting tools: ordinary | |
| Nailing and screwing | Good but pre-boring necessary | |
| CITES status | This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). |
Values from the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet (average values for mature wood, 12% moisture content where noted). US-unit conversions are calculated by BigEpoxy (1 MPa = 145.04 psi; density = specific gravity × 62.43 lb/ft³).
What does Freijo look like, and how does its figure show in a tabletop?
Freijo heartwood displays a light brown base colour, ranging from grey yellow to grey brown or golden brown, sometimes accented with darker veins. A distinct visual highlight is its large silver figure, which can produce pronounced character across broad furniture surfaces. Its texture is medium, and the grain is typically straight or interlocked, with the interlocked grain described as slight. In raw logs, which typically range from 50 to 90 cm in diameter, the sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood and measures from 2 to 4 cm in thickness.
How heavy and hard is Freijo lumber?
At 12% moisture content, Freijo has a specific gravity of 0.58, which corresponds to an average density of about 36.2 lb/ft³. For builders planning tabletop support, a 2-inch-thick slab weighs approximately 6.0 lb per sq ft. In terms of mechanical strength, CIRAD Tropix reports a crushing strength of 48 MPa (about 6,960 psi), a static bending strength of 86 MPa (about 12,470 psi), and a modulus of elasticity of 17,270 MPa (about 2,505,000 psi).
Freijo has a Monnin hardness rating of 2.3. Monnin hardness is evaluated on a French testing scale where higher numbers indicate harder timber. It is not equivalent to a Janka measurement and should never be converted into Janka figures. A rating of 2.3 places Freijo in a moderate range, providing practical utility for indoor furniture surfaces while remaining easy to shape.
How dimensionally stable is Freijo next to an epoxy river?
Dimensional movement is a primary concern when locking solid timber against cured epoxy resin. Freijo has a total tangential shrinkage of 6.3% and a total radial shrinkage of 4.3% from green to oven-dry conditions. Its shrinkage ratio (St/Sr) is 1.5, with values closer to 1 indicating a reduced tendency toward cupping. Its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.55% per % change in moisture content, and its fibre saturation point is 22%.
Because the St/Sr ratio is a modest 1.5 and the volumetric coefficient is moderate, Freijo exhibits balanced movement across grain directions. To prevent edge shear along the epoxy bond line, builders should ensure the timber is thoroughly conditioned to the target service environment and follow the resin manufacturer’s application guidelines.
What are the drying risks and kiln considerations for Freijo slabs?
Freijo features a rapid drying rate. According to the CIRAD Tropix evaluation, there is a slight risk of distortion and a slight risk of checking, with a slight tendency toward end checks. Reassuringly for slab builders, there is no known specific risk of collapse and no known specific risk of casehardening. When kiln-drying Freijo lumber, suggested drying programs utilize temperatures between 55 and 65 °C (about 131 to 149 °F).
How does Freijo handle sawing, routing, and tool wear?
Freijo machines smoothly under normal shop conditions. The blunting effect on cutters is rated as normal, and ordinary cutting tools as well as standard ordinary or alloy steel saw teeth are recommended. However, woodworkers should note that grain tearing can sometimes occur, and sharp tools are strictly necessary to avoid a woolly surface finish.
What should builders know about assembly and fastening?
Holding power for nails and screws is good, but pre-boring is necessary because Freijo tends to split when nailed. For epoxy joins, panel edge-gluing, and surface finishes, woodworkers should follow the resin and adhesive manufacturer’s technical instructions to ensure sound bonding.
What is Freijo’s natural durability and CITES status?
Freijo heartwood is listed as Durability class 2 (durable) against wood-decaying fungi. It is Class D (durable) against dry-wood borers, with risks limited strictly to the sapwood, and Class M (moderately durable) against termites. Heartwood treatability is Class 3 (poorly permeable), and its natural durability places it in Use Class 3 for outdoor applications out of ground contact, though use under permanent humidification is not recommended. Regarding international trade, Freijo is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). Its recognized applications include cabinetwork for high-class furniture, interior and exterior joinery, panelling, and sliced veneer.
Sources
Published October 30, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: For exterior or semi-exposed builds, remember that Freijo heartwood treatability is Class 3 (poorly permeable), meaning preservative penetration into the heartwood is naturally restricted if attempting chemical impregnation. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Freijo.)