Hardwood · Central and West Africa
African Padauk
Pterocarpus soyauxii
Vivid orange-red, mellows to reddish brown.
Janka hardness1,970 lbf
Density (12% MC)47.0 lb/ft³
Weight per board foot3.9 lb
Rot resistanceVery high
Workability4/5
Price$$$$
Hardness compared
White pine
Yellow Poplar
Black Cherry
Red Oak
Hard Maple
Shagbark Hickory
African Padauk
Jatoba
Working with African Padauk
Very stable. The bright dust stains everything, including lighter woods in glue-ups — wipe joints clean.
Typical uses: Accents, inlay, turnings, instruments.
Seasonal movement
| Tangential coefficient (flatsawn) | 0.00186 per 1% MC |
|---|---|
| Radial coefficient (quartersawn) | 0.00118 per 1% MC |
| T/R ratio | 1.58 (stays flat well) |
| 12" flatsawn board, 6% → 11% MC | 0.112" (≈ 2.8 mm) |