Working with Wamara in Wood and Epoxy Tabletops
Wamara is a dense hardwood from Latin America encompassing species such as Swartzia leiocalycina, Swartzia panacoco, Swartzia tomentosa, and other Swartzia species. Known for its deep coloration and heavy structure, it presents specific advantages and mechanical challenges for custom tabletop makers. According to the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet, Wamara is remarkably dense, stiff, and wear-resistant. Here is how its physical properties translate to river table builds.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Swartzia leiocalycina, Swartzia panacoco, Swartzia tomentosa, Swartzia p.p. | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Dark brown; texture medium; grain straight or interlocked; interlocked grain slight | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 1.20 | about 74.9 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 12.5 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 18.4 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 8.3 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 6.3 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.3 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.82 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 23 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.38 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 110 MPa | about 15,950 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 202 MPa | about 29,300 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 32,700 MPa | about 4,743,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 1 – very durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class D – durable | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 4 – not permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 4 – in ground or fresh water contact | |
| Drying | rate slow; distortion: slight risk; checking: high risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 45–65 °C | about 113–149 °F |
| Machining | blunting fairly 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. CORAÇAO DE NEGRO includes all the species with black heart belonging to the genus Swartzia in South America. |
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 Wamara wood look like, and what slab widths are available?
Wamara heartwood is dark brown, often showing lighter thin streaks, while the sapwood is wide, light yellow, and clearly demarcated. The wood features a medium texture with straight or slightly interlocked grain. Builders should note that logs typically have a small diameter ranging from 40 to 60 cm, with sapwood thickness between 3 and 8 cm. Because trunk diameters are relatively narrow, wide single-slab river tables are rare; Wamara is more commonly utilized as bookmatched boards, narrower live-edge slabs, or joined furniture components.
How heavy is Wamara, and how does that affect table design?
Wamara is exceptionally heavy. At 12% moisture content, it has an average specific gravity of 1.20, which equates to roughly 74.9 lb/ft³. A 2-inch-thick slab weighs approximately 12.5 lb per sq ft before pouring resin. Because it sinks in water and adds immense mass to a tabletop, builders must plan for rigid, heavy-duty table bases and substructures capable of carrying substantial dead weight.
How hard is Wamara on the Monnin scale?
The CIRAD Tropix technical sheet rates Wamara with a Monnin hardness of 18.4 at 12% moisture content. The Monnin scale is a French measurement system where higher numbers represent harder wood (it is not equivalent to a Janka rating). An 18.4 rating reflects an extremely hard surface that resists denting and mechanical wear. This is complemented by high mechanical strength, including a crushing strength of 110 MPa (about 15,950 psi), a static bending strength of 202 MPa (about 29,300 psi), and a modulus of elasticity of 32,700 MPa (about 4,743,000 psi).
What are Wamara’s shrinkage rates next to an epoxy river?
Wamara exhibits a total tangential shrinkage of 8.3% and a total radial shrinkage of 6.3%, yielding an St/Sr ratio of 1.3. A ratio near 1.3 points to a low-to-moderate tendency toward cupping. However, its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.82% per % moisture content, with a fibre saturation point of 23%. Because the wood changes volume notably with moisture fluctuations, any slab embedded alongside rigid epoxy must be fully acclimated to service equilibrium moisture content to prevent internal stress or seam tension.
What are the drying risks for Wamara slabs?
Drying Wamara requires patience. CIRAD reports that the drying rate is slow and notes a high risk of checking. In contrast, there is only a slight risk of distortion, with no known specific risk of collapse or casehardening. When kiln-drying, suggested program temperatures range from 45 to 65 °C (about 113 to 149 °F). Slabs must be seasoned slowly and carefully to avoid surface checks and deep end splits before epoxy casting.
How difficult is Wamara to machine and shape?
Machining Wamara requires significant tool power and causes fairly high blunting. Due to its extreme hardness and high density, CIRAD recommends stellite-tipped saw teeth and tungsten carbide cutting tools. While slicing characteristics are good, peeling is not recommended.
What are the assembly and gluing requirements?
Fastening Wamara requires pre-boring for all screws and nails, though once driven, holding power is good. For adhesion, CIRAD notes that due to the very high specific gravity, gluing must be performed strictly in compliance with the code of practice. When bonding to epoxy, surfaces should be freshly surfaced, flat, and prepared according to the resin manufacturer’s technical data sheet.
Is Wamara decay-resistant or restricted by CITES?
Wamara is highly durable. The heartwood is classified as Durability class 1 (very durable) against xylophagous fungi, Class D (durable) against dry-wood borers and termites, and Class 4 (not permeable) for heartwood treatability, ensuring natural suitability for Use Class 4 conditions. Regarding trade regulations, Wamara is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025).
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: CIRAD notes indicate that Wamara is visually and functionally similar to ebony (Diospyros spp.), making it a candidate for high-class cabinetwork and musical instruments, though wider tabletop designs remain constrained by modest log diameters. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Wamara.)