Common names: Ebony, Indian ebony, coromandel.

Similar species: Diospyros ebenum, d. tomentosa, d. melanoxylon, d. marmorata.

Botanical classification: Diospyros celebica Fam. Ebenaceae.

GENERAL

Main products: Sawn wood, veneer.

Natural attributes - structure - origins: Extremely heavy wood (1090 kg/m³) with dark brown to black heartwood, with strips of gray-brown, yellow-brown and sallow brown. Straight grain wood, but sometimes with irregular and wavy design. It grows in the Celebes Islands.

Natural durability in time: Very durable wood. The logs are affected by the bug Longhorn beetle. The wood is moderately resistant to termites.

Mechanical attributes: Extremely heavy wood, compact and hard. The black heartwood tends to be fragile and therefore it is used for decorations.

Density: R (12-15%) = 1,09 gr/cm³

WOOD PROPERTIES AND PROCESSING OPERATIONS

Drying Behavior and stability after drying: Hard to dry. Trees are usually deadened two years before cutting and then left to dry in the air in the form of thick sawns for 6 months. Quick drying should be avoided. There is very small variability in size after drying.

Impregnation behavior: Extremely resistant to impregnation.

Bending behavior: Has good flexural behaviour when steam bending.

Working properties - tool blunting: Hard to process with tools and machinery since it is fragile. Causes a high degree of tool blunting.

Nailing and screwing: Pre-drilling is necessary.

Gluing behavior: Difficult to glue.

Dyeing and finishing: Excellent finish.

APPLICATIONS

Cabinets, tool handles, walking sticks, tobacco boxes, musical instruments, pads, billiard cues, turners, decorative veneer cladding.