Central and South American Timbers for Epoxy Builds
Central and South America offer an expansive variety of timber species for custom woodworking and resin projects. When building an epoxy river table, selecting a slab requires more than evaluating live edges or surface grain. Wood movement, density, surface toughness, and natural resistance to rot all dictate how a slab performs once locked against cured epoxy resin. Technical data compiled from individual CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets gives builders reliable metrics to compare mature wood properties before committing to a pour.
Evaluating Key Technical Metrics
To shortlist a slab effectively, four primary technical properties from the CIRAD data should be examined:
- Specific Gravity: Indicates density and finished tabletop weight. Lower numbers mean lighter tables that are easier to maneuver and mount, while values at or above 1.00 represent ultra-dense woods that sink in water.
- Monnin Hardness: Measures wood indentation resistance under standardized testing. Higher numbers reflect tough surfaces less prone to everyday dings, though extremely hard species can dull cutting tooling quickly. Note that Monnin hardness is distinct from Janka ratings and is evaluated on its own scale.
- Tangential Shrinkage (%): Measures dimensional change across the growth rings as wood gains or loses moisture. Lower tangential percentages represent greater dimensional stability, reducing stress along the wood-to-epoxy bondline.
- Decay Resistance: Graded from Durability class 1 (very durable) down to Durability class 5 (not durable). For indoor furniture, lower classes are acceptable if sealed properly, but outdoor or high-humidity installations demand superior natural fungal resistance.
Slab Shortlists by Project Need
Top Picks for Dimensional Stability
Minimizing seasonal movement is crucial to prevent internal tension against cured resin channels. Species with low tangential shrinkage percentages include:
- Cerejeira: Tangential shrinkage of 4.5% with a specific gravity of 0.59 and Monnin hardness of 2.7.
- Guanacaste: Tangential shrinkage of 4.5% and a specific gravity of 0.49, though it falls into Durability class 5.
- Sandbox: Tangential shrinkage of 4.7% with a specific gravity of 0.45.
- Macacauba: Tangential shrinkage of 4.9%, specific gravity of 0.79, Monnin hardness of 7.3, and Durability class 2.
- Peruvian Walnut: Tangential shrinkage of 5.2% with a specific gravity of 0.61 and Monnin hardness of 3.5.
- Tatajuba: Tangential shrinkage of 5.2%, specific gravity of 0.80, Monnin hardness of 6.4, and Durability class 1.
- Jequitiba: Tangential shrinkage of 5.3% with a specific gravity of 0.64.
Top Picks for Heavy Surface Wear
High-traffic dining tops, commercial desks, and conference tables benefit from woods boasting superior Monnin hardness:
- Wamara: Leads the group with a Monnin hardness of 18.4 and specific gravity of 1.20.
- Muirapiranga / Bloodwood: Monnin hardness of 17.6 with a specific gravity of 1.10 and a stable tangential shrinkage of 5.9%.
- Angelim vermelho: Monnin hardness of 17.1 with a specific gravity of 1.07.
- Preciosa: Monnin hardness of 15.8 with a specific gravity of 1.12.
- Rosewood Para: Monnin hardness of 14.0 with a specific gravity of 1.04.
- Cumaru / Tonka: Monnin hardness of 13.1 and specific gravity of 1.07.
- Massaranduba: Monnin hardness of 12.9 with a specific gravity of 1.10.
- Moral: Monnin hardness of 12.0 and specific gravity of 0.88.
Lightweight Options for Easier Handling
When table weight is a concern for wall mounts, extension tables, or transport, these species keep specific gravity low:
- Sumauma: Specific gravity of 0.32 with a Monnin hardness of 0.8.
- Pashaco / paricá: Specific gravity of 0.35 and Monnin hardness of 0.8.
- Marupa: Specific gravity of 0.41 and Monnin hardness of 1.1.
- Jacaranda: Specific gravity of 0.43 and Monnin hardness of 1.1.
- Canon ball: Specific gravity of 0.45 and Monnin hardness of 1.4.
Notable Color and Character Timbers
Central and South American timbers provide distinct natural palettes. Yellowheart combines a bright visual tone with a specific gravity of 0.81, Monnin hardness of 5.5, tangential shrinkage of 6.5%, and Durability class 1. Muirapiranga / Bloodwood pairs rich deep-red hues with exceptional hardness (17.6) and tight tangential shrinkage (5.9%). Snakewood delivers striking figuring alongside a specific gravity of 1.03 and Monnin hardness of 10.6, though its higher tangential shrinkage of 10.5% calls for strict moisture stabilization prior to casting.
How to Shortlist a Slab
- Define the Environment: If building for sheltered outdoor use or damp spaces, prioritize species in Durability class 1 (such as Tatajuba, Manchiche, Wallaba, or Wacapou) or Durability class 2.
- Balance Weight vs. Hardness: Slabs with specific gravities above 1.00 yield heavy tables that require reinforced bases and hardware, but they offer unmatched scratch resistance.
- Check Tangential Shrinkage: For wide live-edge slabs bonded along an epoxy center channel, favor woods with tangential shrinkage values below 7.0% to minimize movement against the resin interface.
| Wood | Specific gravity | Monnin hardness | Tangential shrinkage % | Decay resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abarco | 0.68 | 4.5 | 6.6 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Abiurana vermelha | 1.09 | 11.0 | 9.1 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Amesclào | 0.87 | 7.2 | 8.6 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Angelim amargoso | 0.75 | 5.6 | 7.8 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Angelim pedra | 0.80 | 6.3 | 8.3 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Angelim vermelho | 1.07 | 17.1 | 8.5 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Angelin | 0.86 | 8.8 | 7.3 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Araracanga | 0.94 | 8.3 | 9.8 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Baracara | 0.77 | 5.6 | 8.1 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Basralocus | 0.79 | 5.7 | 8.2 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Batibatra | 0.83 | 5.5 | 9.0 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Brazil nut | 0.77 | 4.4 | 10.0 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Cabreuva | 0.95 | 10.0 | 8.0 | Durability class 1-2 – very durable to durable |
| Canon ball | 0.45 | 1.4 | 6.6 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Capomo | 0.47 | 1.3 | 7.0 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Cardeiro / Cedrinho | 0.72 | 3.3 | 10.0 | Durability class 2 to 3 – durable to moderately durable |
| Catucaém / louro faia | 0.70 | 4.1 | 12.3 | Durability class 2 to 3 – durable to moderately durable |
| Cedrinho | 0.60 | 2.7 | 9.3 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Cedrorana | 0.51 | 2.0 | 6.9 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Cerejeira | 0.59 | 2.7 | 4.5 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Coconut wood | 0.90 | 8.3 | 6.1 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Copaiba | 0.50 | 2.6 | 5.9 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Cow tree | 0.69 | 3.5 | 8.2 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Cumaru / Tonka | 1.07 | 13.1 | 7.7 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Cupiuba | 0.84 | 6.2 | 8.8 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Curupixa | 0.75 | 4.3 | 7.9 | Durability class 4 – poorly durable |
| Dakama | 0.71 | 3.9 | 8.2 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Dalli | 0.52 | 1.4 | 9.5 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Djedoe | 0.62 | 3.5 | 8.2 | Durability class 4 – poorly durable |
| Dukali / amapa | 0.52 | 2.0 | 7.7 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Faveira | 0.47 | 2.3 | 7.0 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Freijo | 0.58 | 2.3 | 6.3 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Garapa | 0.79 | 6.7 | 7.5 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Goiabao | 0.91 | 7.7 | 11.6 | Durability class 4 – poorly durable |
| Gommier | 0.61 | 3.1 | 8.0 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Guanacaste | 0.49 | 2.1 | 4.5 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Guariuba | 0.69 | 4.6 | 6.5 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Itauba | 0.86 | 5.0 | 9.7 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Jacaranda | 0.43 | 1.1 | 8.5 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Jacareuba | 0.65 | 3.0 | 8.1 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Jequitiba | 0.64 | 3.6 | 5.3 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Kurokai | 0.64 | 2.7 | 10.0 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Louro branco | 0.54 | 3.1 | 7.1 | Durability class 4 – poorly durable |
| Louro vermelho | 0.66 | 2.5 | 8.8 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Macacauba | 0.79 | 7.3 | 4.9 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Macucu de paca | 0.88 | 7.6 | 7.6 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Manchiche | 0.91 | 8.0 | 6.2 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Mandioqueira | 0.74 | 4.7 | 9.7 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Manil / Manni | 0.71 | 3.3 | 10.1 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Manniballi | 0.90 | 10.3 | 9.5 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Maporokon | 0.66 | 3.2 | 6.9 | Durability class 4 – poorly durable |
| Marupa | 0.41 | 1.1 | 6.3 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Massaranduba | 1.10 | 12.9 | 9.4 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Melancieira | 0.76 | 4.9 | 10.7 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Mora | 1.03 | 8.6 | 10.0 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Moral | 0.88 | 12.0 | 6.1 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Morototo | 0.55 | 2.0 | 9.8 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Muirapiranga / Bloodwood | 1.10 | 17.6 | 5.9 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Pakuri | 0.85 | 6.2 | 10.0 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Pashaco / paricá | 0.35 | 0.8 | 5.5 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Patula pine | 0.49 | 2.2 | 8.3 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Pau marfim | 0.82 | 7.3 | 8.6 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Pau mulato | 0.83 | 6.5 | 8.2 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Peruvian Walnut | 0.61 | 3.5 | 5.2 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Piquia | 0.81 | 5.0 | 8.2 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Piquiarana | 0.80 | 5.0 | 9.6 | Durability class 2 – durable |
| Preciosa | 1.12 | 15.8 | 7.5 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Pucté | 0.94 | 6.5 | 8.9 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Quaruba | 0.52 | 1.7 | 9.8 | Durability class 4 – poorly durable |
| Red grandis | 0.60 | 2.5 | 10.0 | Durability class 2 to 4 – durable to poorly durable |
| Rosewood Para | 1.04 | 14.0 | 8.2 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Rubberwood | 0.65 | 3.0 | 5.6 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Sandbox | 0.45 | 1.5 | 4.7 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Sapucaia | 0.96 | 8.4 | 9.8 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Snakewood | 1.03 | 10.6 | 10.5 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Sterculia | 0.64 | 2.3 | 10.1 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Sumauma | 0.32 | 0.8 | 6.3 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Tamarindo (Groçai-rosa) | 0.90 | 8.0 | 6.4 | Durability class 1-2 – very durable to durable |
| Tanimbuca | 0.93 | 9.6 | 9.2 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Tatajuba | 0.80 | 6.4 | 5.2 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Tauari | 0.62 | 2.7 | 7.0 | Durability class 5 – not durable |
| Timborana | 0.80 | 7.8 | 6.9 | Durability class 3 – moderately durable |
| Uchy | 0.96 | 6.7 | 10.6 | Durability class 3 to 4 – moderately to poorly durable |
| Wacapou | 0.92 | 6.9 | 6.5 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Wallaba | 0.88 | 7.0 | 6.5 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Wamara | 1.20 | 18.4 | 8.3 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
| Yellowheart | 0.81 | 5.5 | 6.5 | Durability class 1 – very durable |
Data compiled by BigEpoxy from individual CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (average values for mature wood).
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: Be especially cautious with species at the upper extreme of tangential movement, such as Catucaém / louro faia at 12.3% and Goiabao at 11.6%, as their significant dimensional response to relative humidity changes requires thorough conditioning to equilibrium moisture before casting. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (index).)