Understanding Nyatoh for Epoxy Table Builds
Nyatoh is a commercial grouping of light to medium-heavy hardwoods in the Sapotaceae family, primarily encompassing species from Palaquium, Payena, and Madhuca (including Madhuca burckiana, Madhuca malaccencis, Madhuca motleyana, Palaquium gutta, Payena maingayi, and related species). Also traded under names like Balam and Padang, Nyatoh comes from Asia-Oceania. When selecting live-edge slabs or dimensional boards for epoxy river tables, understanding the mechanical and physical metrics documented in the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet is essential for a stable, long-lasting build.
Appearance, Figure, and Weight
Heartwood typically ranges from dark pink to red-brown, accented by a medium texture. The grain runs straight or slightly interlocked, though boards can sometimes feature an attractive wavy grain. The sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood and spans 4 to 9 cm in thickness on logs that range from 50 to 100 cm in diameter.
In terms of weight, mature Nyatoh at 12% moisture content has a specific gravity of 0.57. For the woodshop, this translates to a density of approximately 35.6 lb/ft³. A finished 2-inch-thick tabletop slab weighs roughly 5.9 lb per square foot, giving it a moderate, manageable heft that provides solid structural presence without making oversized dining tables overwhelmingly heavy.
Hardness and Structural Strength
According to the CIRAD Tropix data sheet, Nyatoh registers a Monnin hardness of 2.6 at 12% moisture content. The Monnin scale is a French testing standard based on the depth of an indentation made by a steel cylinder, where higher numerical values indicate harder timber. It should never be equated with or converted into a Janka rating. At 2.6, Nyatoh provides moderate resistance to surface indentations and daily wear.
Its structural metrics show a crushing strength of 53 MPa (around 7,690 psi), a static bending strength (modulus of rupture) of 83 MPa (about 12,040 psi), and a modulus of elasticity of 12,770 MPa (about 1,852,000 psi). These figures confirm sufficient rigidity and load-bearing strength for expansive tabletop designs.
Drying Risks, Shrinkage, and Epoxy Stability
Movement properties dictate how a timber behaves when locked alongside rigid cured epoxy. Nyatoh has a fibre saturation point of 29%, a total tangential shrinkage of 7.7%, and a total radial shrinkage of 4.1%. This produces a tangential-to-radial shrinkage ratio (St/Sr) of 1.9, coupled with a coefficient of volumetric shrinkage of 0.48% per 1% change in moisture content.
Because the St/Sr ratio sits at 1.9 and volumetric shrinkage is moderate, Nyatoh will move with relative humidity swings if not brought to complete equilibrium before casting. CIRAD Tropix reports that drying rates are normal to slow, accompanied by a high risk of distortion and a high risk of checking (though collapse and casehardening present no known specific risks). Recommended kiln temperatures run between 48 °C and 60 °C (approximately 118 °F to 140 °F). Any slab selected for an epoxy pour must be properly conditioned to shop moisture levels; otherwise, stress across the timber will test the integrity of the epoxy bondline.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Madhuca burckiana, Madhuca malaccencis, Madhuca motleyana, Madhuca p.p., Palaquium burkii, Palaquium gutta, Palaquium acuminatum, Palaquium hexandrum, Palaquium maingayi, Palaquium obovatum, Palaquium rostratum, Palaquium xanthochymum, Palaquium p.p., Payena acuminata, Payena lanceolata, Payena maingayi, Payena p.p. | |
| Other trade names | Balam, Padang | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Red brown; texture medium; grain straight or interlocked; interlocked grain slight | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.57 | about 35.6 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 5.9 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 2.6 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 7.7 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 4.1 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.9 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.48 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 29 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 53 MPa | about 7,690 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 83 MPa | about 12,040 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 12,770 MPa | about 1,852,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 3 – moderately durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class S – susceptible | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 3 – poorly permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 2 – inside or under cover (dampness possible) | |
| Drying | rate normal to slow; distortion: high risk; checking: high risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 48–60 °C | about 118–140 °F |
| Machining | blunting high; saw teeth: stellite-tipped; cutting tools: tungsten carbide | |
| Nailing and screwing | Good but pre-boring necessary | |
| CITES status | This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). Notes. NYATOH is the name given to the light and medium-heavy SAPOTACEAE woods (Payena, Madhuca and especially Palaquium); the name BITIS is given to heavy woods . |
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).
Machining, Fasteners, and Shop Safety
Working Nyatoh requires preparation for tool wear. The wood produces a high blunting effect on cutters due to silica content that varies significantly from species to species. CIRAD Tropix advises using stellite-tipped saw teeth and tungsten carbide tooling to maintain clean edges. Woodworkers should also ensure effective dust collection, as Nyatoh sawdust may cause irritations.
For joinery and mechanical fasteners, nailing and screwing properties are good, though pre-boring is necessary to prevent splitting near slab ends or mounting zones.
Durability, Environmental Status, and Uses
Under CIRAD testing, Nyatoh heartwood is classified as Durability Class 3 (moderately durable against xylophagous fungi) and Class D for dry-wood borers (durable, with risks limited to sapwood). However, it is Class S (susceptible) to termites, and the heartwood treatability is Class 3 (poorly permeable). Its natural durability aligns with Use Class 2 (interior or under cover, where dampness is possible). Nyatoh is not listed in the CITES Appendices (2025).
Standard commercial end-uses include cabinetwork for high-class furniture, current furniture components, interior and exterior joinery, flooring, interior panelling, moulding, and sliced veneers.
Is Nyatoh a Good Wood for Epoxy Tables?
Nyatoh is well suited for indoor epoxy river tables, provided the builder manages its drying characteristics. Its warm red-brown tone, straight or wavy grain, and moderate density (35.6 lb/ft³) deliver excellent aesthetic and functional qualities for high-end furniture. However, because it carries a high risk of checking and distortion during drying, builders must confirm the lumber is thoroughly dried and stabilized before pouring resin. Equipping the shop with tungsten carbide tooling is essential to manage its high silica content and blunting effect.
Sources
Published October 30, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: When working with live-edge Nyatoh slabs, inspect the sapwood carefully; CIRAD notes sapwood thickness ranges from 4 to 9 cm, and while the heartwood resists dry-wood borers (Class D), any borer risk remains concentrated in this clearly demarcated sapwood zone. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Nyatoh.)