Monnin Hardness Rankings: Exotic Woods for Epoxy Tabletops

Understanding Monnin Hardness for Epoxy Tabletops

When selecting timber slabs for a custom epoxy river table or wood tabletop, surface resistance to physical wear is an important factor. Wood data compiled from CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets evaluates timber resistance using the Monnin hardness test. On this scale, a higher number indicates a harder timber.

Monnin hardness is an established French test and is not Janka hardness. The two tests use entirely different indenters, test protocols, and measurement metrics. Monnin values must never be converted into Janka figures, nor should builders attempt mathematical conversions between the two standards. Monnin ratings should be evaluated directly on their own terms when comparing imported slabs.

Dents, Scratches, and Specific Gravity

On an epoxy tabletop, wood hardness specifically indicates how well the slab resists permanent indentations and dents from heavy impacts or concentrated pressure. Surface scratches can still occur on both the resin and the wood finish under abrasive contact, but a higher Monnin rating indicates that the underlying timber fibers resist being crushed downward.

Hardness closely tracks specific gravity across timber species. Timbers with higher specific gravity contain denser cell structures with less void space, providing greater mechanical resistance against surface compression. Consequently, high specific gravity slabs demonstrate elevated Monnin hardness values, while lower specific gravity species produce lower hardness figures.

The Hardest Group: Heavyweight Indentation Resistance

The hardest tier consists of heavy, dense hardwoods that deliver exceptional resistance to surface crushing:

• Grenadillo / Grenadille d’Afrique: Holds the highest rating in the dataset at 22.1 with a specific gravity of 1.29.
• Muirapiranga / Bloodwood: Reaches 17.6 with a specific gravity of 1.10.
• Angelim vermelho: Measures 17.1 with a specific gravity of 1.07.
• Preciosa: Rated at 15.8 with a specific gravity of 1.12.
• Congotali: Scores 15.1 with a specific gravity of 1.10.
• Rosewood Para: Measures 14.0 with a specific gravity of 1.04.
• Cumaru / Tonka: Measures 13.1 with a specific gravity of 1.07.
• Massaranduba: Reaches 12.9 with a specific gravity of 1.10.
• Ekki and Snakewood: Ekki measures 10.7 with a specific gravity of 1.06, while Snakewood tests at 10.6 with a specific gravity of 1.03.
• Eyoum, Okan, and Cabreuva: Eyoum rates at 10.3 (specific gravity 0.94), Okan rates at 10.3 (specific gravity 0.91), and Cabreuva reaches 10.0 (specific gravity 0.95).

The Middle Group: Balanced Hardwoods

The middle group encompasses a wide variety of imported woods offering dependable durability for everyday furniture use:

• Upper Middle Tier: Includes Tamalan Rosewood at 9.3 (specific gravity 1.00), Ceylon Satinwood at 9.2 (specific gravity 0.98), Wenge at 9.1 (specific gravity 0.87), Merbau at 8.8 (specific gravity 0.83), Mecrussé at 8.7 (specific gravity 0.93), Mora at 8.6 (specific gravity 1.03), African Padauk at 8.3 (specific gravity 0.79), Coconut wood at 8.3 (specific gravity 0.90), Tamarindo (Groçai-rosa) at 8.0 (specific gravity 0.90), Muhuhu at 7.9 (specific gravity 0.93), Afzelia at 7.7 (specific gravity 0.80), Mukulungu at 7.7 (specific gravity 0.94), Tasmanian oak at 7.6 (specific gravity 0.80), Niove at 7.5 (specific gravity 0.88), Ovangkol at 7.5 (specific gravity 0.82), Pau marfim at 7.3 (specific gravity 0.82), Yellow balau at 7.3 (specific gravity 0.91), Sonokeling Rosewood at 7.1 (specific gravity 0.89), and Red balau at 7.0 (specific gravity 0.87).
• Standard Middle Tier: Includes Pyinkado at 6.9 (specific gravity 0.88), Moabi at 6.8 (specific gravity 0.87), Garapa at 6.7 (specific gravity 0.79), Pau mulato at 6.5 (specific gravity 0.83), Tatajuba at 6.4 (specific gravity 0.80), Angelim pedra at 6.3 (specific gravity 0.80), Cupiuba at 6.2 (specific gravity 0.84), Mutenye at 5.9 (specific gravity 0.79), Senegal mahogany at 5.9 (specific gravity 0.78), Bintangor at 5.7 (specific gravity 0.74), Ayan at 5.6 (specific gravity 0.73), Yellowheart at 5.5 (specific gravity 0.81), Bilinga / Opepe at 5.3 (specific gravity 0.76), Black Guarea (Bossé Foncé) at 5.3 (specific gravity 0.68), Izombe at 5.2 (specific gravity 0.72), European Ash at 5.1 (specific gravity 0.68), Limbali at 5.1 (specific gravity 0.81), Etimoe at 5.0 (specific gravity 0.71), Itauba at 5.0 (specific gravity 0.86), Piquia at 5.0 (specific gravity 0.81), Zebrano at 5.0 (specific gravity 0.79), Sycamore Maple (Great Maple) at 4.7 (specific gravity 0.64), Keruing at 4.6 (specific gravity 0.79), Haldu at 4.5 (specific gravity 0.70), Dabema at 4.4 (specific gravity 0.70), Curupixa at 4.3 (specific gravity 0.75), European Beech at 4.2 (specific gravity 0.71), European Oak at 4.2 (specific gravity 0.74), Iroko at 4.1 (specific gravity 0.64), Berlinia at 4.0 (specific gravity 0.70), and Mengkulang at 4.0 (specific gravity 0.68).

The Softest Group: Lightweight Timbers

Woods in the bottom category display lower specific gravity and lower indentation resistance:

• Moderately Soft Species: Makoré measures 3.9 (specific gravity 0.67), European Larch at 3.8 (specific gravity 0.60), Niangon at 3.8 (specific gravity 0.70), Mango (Machang) at 3.7 (specific gravity 0.76), Jequitiba at 3.6 (specific gravity 0.64), Scented Guarea (Bossé Clair) at 3.5 (specific gravity 0.63), Peruvian Walnut at 3.5 (specific gravity 0.61), Suren at 3.5 (specific gravity 0.50), Iatandza at 3.4 (specific gravity 0.60), Kosipo at 3.3 (specific gravity 0.69), European Walnut at 3.2 (specific gravity 0.66), Black wattle at 3.1 (specific gravity 0.52), Rubberwood at 3.0 (specific gravity 0.65), and Utile at 3.0 (specific gravity 0.62).
• Lowest Hardness Species: Tchitola scores 2.9 (specific gravity 0.64), Cerejeira at 2.7 (specific gravity 0.59), Tauari at 2.7 (specific gravity 0.62), Nyatoh at 2.6 (specific gravity 0.57), Scots Pine at 2.6 (specific gravity 0.55), Aningeria at 2.5 (specific gravity 0.57), Kauri at 2.5 (specific gravity 0.53), Louro vermelho at 2.5 (specific gravity 0.66), Red grandis at 2.5 (specific gravity 0.60), Rengas at 2.5 (specific gravity 0.70), Atlas Cedar at 2.4 (specific gravity 0.51), African walnut at 2.3 (specific gravity 0.53), Agba at 2.3 (specific gravity 0.52), Freijo at 2.3 (specific gravity 0.58), Gedu nohor at 2.2 (specific gravity 0.55), Guanacaste at 2.1 (specific gravity 0.49), Cedrorana at 2.0 (specific gravity 0.51), Olon at 2.0 (specific gravity 0.52), Idigbo at 1.9 (specific gravity 0.50), Yemane at 1.9 (specific gravity 0.49), Jelutong at 1.6 (specific gravity 0.45), African cordia at 1.3 (specific gravity 0.50), Jacaranda at 1.1 (specific gravity 0.43), and Cryptomeria at 1.0 (specific gravity 0.38).

How to Use the Ranking When Choosing a Slab

When planning a custom river table, consider how the completed tabletop will be used. High-traffic dining tables and conference tables benefit from slabs in the upper hardness tiers, which resist denting from dropped silverware, heavy mugs, and concentrated contact. Softer timbers from the lower tiers remain suitable for lighter-duty applications, but builders must recognize that low hardness leaves the wood susceptible to crushing beneath top coats under heavy localized pressure. Always review your resin manufacturer’s technical data sheet for proper pour thickness, sealing, and curing guidelines.

Wood	Monnin hardness	Specific gravity
Grenadillo / Grenadille d’Afrique	22.1	1.29
Muirapiranga / Bloodwood	17.6	1.10
Angelim vermelho	17.1	1.07
Preciosa	15.8	1.12
Congotali	15.1	1.10
Rosewood Para	14.0	1.04
Cumaru / Tonka	13.1	1.07
Massaranduba	12.9	1.10
Ekki	10.7	1.06
Snakewood	10.6	1.03
Eyoum	10.3	0.94
Okan	10.3	0.91
Cabreuva	10.0	0.95
Tamalan Rosewood	9.3	1.00
Ceylon Satinwood	9.2	0.98
Wenge	9.1	0.87
Merbau	8.8	0.83
Mecrussé	8.7	0.93
Mora	8.6	1.03
African Padauk	8.3	0.79
Coconut wood	8.3	0.90
Tamarindo (Groçai-rosa)	8.0	0.90
Muhuhu	7.9	0.93
Afzelia	7.7	0.80
Mukulungu	7.7	0.94
Tasmanian oak	7.6	0.80
Niove	7.5	0.88
Ovangkol	7.5	0.82
Pau marfim	7.3	0.82
Yellow balau	7.3	0.91
Sonokeling Rosewood	7.1	0.89
Red balau	7.0	0.87
Pyinkado	6.9	0.88
Moabi	6.8	0.87
Garapa	6.7	0.79
Pau mulato	6.5	0.83
Tatajuba	6.4	0.80
Angelim pedra	6.3	0.80
Cupiuba	6.2	0.84
Mutenye	5.9	0.79
Senegal mahogany	5.9	0.78
Bintangor	5.7	0.74
Ayan	5.6	0.73
Yellowheart	5.5	0.81
Bilinga / Opepe	5.3	0.76
Black Guarea (Bossé Foncé)	5.3	0.68
Izombe	5.2	0.72
European Ash	5.1	0.68
Limbali	5.1	0.81
Etimoe	5.0	0.71
Itauba	5.0	0.86
Piquia	5.0	0.81
Zebrano	5.0	0.79
Sycamore Maple (Great Maple)	4.7	0.64
Keruing	4.6	0.79
Haldu	4.5	0.70
Dabema	4.4	0.70
Curupixa	4.3	0.75
European Beech	4.2	0.71
European Oak	4.2	0.74
Iroko	4.1	0.64
Berlinia	4.0	0.70
Mengkulang	4.0	0.68
Makoré	3.9	0.67
European Larch	3.8	0.60
Niangon	3.8	0.70
Mango (Machang)	3.7	0.76
Jequitiba	3.6	0.64
Scented Guarea (Bossé Clair)	3.5	0.63
Peruvian Walnut	3.5	0.61
Suren	3.5	0.50
Iatandza	3.4	0.60
Kosipo	3.3	0.69
European Walnut	3.2	0.66
Black wattle	3.1	0.52
Rubberwood	3.0	0.65
Utile	3.0	0.62
Tchitola	2.9	0.64
Cerejeira	2.7	0.59
Tauari	2.7	0.62
Nyatoh	2.6	0.57
Scots Pine	2.6	0.55
Aningeria	2.5	0.57
Kauri	2.5	0.53
Louro vermelho	2.5	0.66
Red grandis	2.5	0.60
Rengas	2.5	0.70
Atlas Cedar	2.4	0.51
African walnut	2.3	0.53
Agba	2.3	0.52
Freijo	2.3	0.58
Gedu nohor	2.2	0.55
Guanacaste	2.1	0.49
Cedrorana	2.0	0.51
Olon	2.0	0.52
Idigbo	1.9	0.50
Yemane	1.9	0.49
Jelutong	1.6	0.45
African cordia	1.3	0.50
Jacaranda	1.1	0.43
Cryptomeria	1.0	0.38

Data compiled by BigEpoxy from individual CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (average values for mature wood).

Sources

• CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheets (index)

Published October 30, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.

Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.