Machimango blanco

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports within the provinces of Ucayali, Huánuco, Loreto and Amazonas, between 0 and 500 m. above sea level. Average amounts of this species can be found in the Peruvian Amazon.
The tree: 40 m. tall, up to 100 cm diameter. Either round or slightly corrugated trunk.
Thick visible roots which sometimes climb upwards forming canals at the base of the trunk. The surface of the bark is grayish-brown, with longitudinal, transverse and slanting cracks. Thin, poor dead bark which comes apart in round or irregular sheets, leaving traces behind. Fibrous main bark is yellowish-beige and has distinctive vegetable-oil smell. The fibers of the main bark can be separated all along the trunk. Main bark can be 1.00 to 1.5 cm thick.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum), as well as hardwood (duramen), is white and regular. No contrast of color between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pale yellow HUE 8/4 2.5Y and duramen turns very pale brown HUE 7/3 10YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Non-distinctive.
Shine or gloss Opaque / low.
Grain Interbred.
Texture Medium to delicate.
Streaks or patterns: Poorly defined by thin overlapped arches. Vertical lines with dark sediment.

TECHNICAL PROFILE
Machimango blanco is a heavy type of wood, showing low linear shrinkage and stable volumetric shrinkage.
Mechanical resistance is in the limit of medial and high ranks.

Physical Properties
Primary density 0.72 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 8.25 %
Radial contraction 5.44 %
Volumetric contraction 12.96 %
T/R Ratio 1.59

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 132,900 kg/cm2
Module of breakage in flexion 923.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 462.00 kg/CM2
Perpendicular compression (ELP): 102.00 kg/CM2
Grain-parallel cut 83.00 kg/cm2
Hardness on the sides 834.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 5.1 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Certain difficulty in the sawing process. Performs well when winded or cut in plates.
Performs well when naturally dried.
High natural durability, good resistance to biological attack.

USES
Round wood is used for rural bridges, wooden floor tiles, heavy constructions, structures, railway sleepers, carpentry and decorative plates.