Tornillo

Geographical Distribution: The distribution of the species was obtained from literature and herbal reports and inventories within the provinces of Junín, Madre de Dios, Loreto and Ucayali, between 0 and 500 m. above the sea level. Large amounts of this species can be found in the northern Amazon, average amounts in the southern Amazon. The tree: 50 m. tall, 120 cm. Diameter. Straight, round trunk. Thick, poorly or fairly-developed visible roots. Surface of the bark is dark brown, corrugated and coriacean. Dead bark comes apart above the visible roots in rectangular sheets. Dead bark is woody, cork-like, about 1 cm. Thick. Main bark is pink, 0.5 cm thick, sandy and sweet.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WOOD
Color: When freshly cut, sapwood (alburnum) is pink and hardwood (duramen) is light reddish and regular. Gradual contrast of colors between both layers. When dried in open air, alburnum turns pink HUE 7/4 5YR and duramen turns reddish brown HUE 5/4 5YR. (Munsell Soil Color Charts).

Fragrance Distinctive, itchy when sawed.
Shine or gloss Moderate to shiny.
Grain Interbred.
Texture Thick.
Streaks or patterns: Poor definition in tangential cut.
Overlapped arches slightly differentiated with deep dark vascular lines and glossy, narrow, parallel bands in the radial cut.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Physical Properties
Primary density 0.45 g/CM3
Tangential contraction 3.00 %
Radial contraction 1.00 %
Volumetric contraction 3.90 %
T/R Ratio 2.22

Mechanical Properties
Module of elasticity in flexion 99,000 kg/CM2
Module of breakage in flexion 693.00 kg/cm2
Parallel compression (RM) 413.00 kg/cm2
Perpendicular compression (ELP) 66.00 kg/CM2
Grain-parallel cut 87.00 kg/CM2
Hardness on the sides 373.00 kg/cm2
Firmness (Resistance to impact) 2.88 kg-m

TECHNICAL ADVICE
Tornillo is a fairly heavy type of wood, showing average linear contractions and stable volumetric contraction. Mechanical resistance is in the limit of the high rank. Wood is moderately easy to saw due to its average mechanical resistance. Good workability. Finish is appropriate for the production of structural pieces for the constructions of homes, doors and windows. Quick drying process, can stand tough schedule when dried artificially, taking approximately 55 hours. Stable, low risk of warping. Alburnum is prone to biological attack, vacuum-pressure chamber is required. Duramen is resistant; therefore, pieces made entirely out of duramen need no preservation.

USES
At present, it's used in floor, home structures, framework, poles, columns, indoor carpentry, hand-crafts, doors, windows and coachbuilding.