Apuleia molaris

Garapa

Also known as: Muira-Juba, Ferro

Region of Origin: South America
DeckingExterior Furniture & JoineryExterior ConstructionFlooring
Density
790 kg/m³
Durability
Durable
Janka
7.4 kN
Strength Group
SD3
Garapa timber grainTimber Grain

About this Timber

General Description

Garapa is a light yellow to honey-brown colour and its interlocked grain has a fine texture. It is a very durable timber that resists rot, decay and fire. The timber is lustrous and does not bleed. It has a high silica content and is scratch resistant. Primarily used as a kiln-dried decking timber.

Note: Avoid contact with iron filings as this will discolour the timber black. If this does occur, staining can be removed with a light scrub using oxalic acid.

Working Properties

How This Timber Works

Garapa saws, nails and screws well with only slight blunting effect and also glues well.

Mechanical Properties

Garapa is a hard and strong timber with high bending and crushing strengths.

Technical Data

Technical Specifications

Density
790kg/m³
Air dry density (avg)
Durability Class
Durable
Strength Group
SD3
Structural classification
Janka Hardness
7.4kN
Surface hardness rating
MOR — Modulus of Rupture
116
Seasoned MPa
MOE — Modulus of Elasticity
15.9
Seasoned GPa
Shrinkage — Green to 12% Moisture Content
6.5%
Tangential
3.5%
Radial
Dimensional change from green timber to 12% moisture content

*Air Dry Density (kg/m³) is an average indication only and actual values may vary. Refer to strength, shrinkage and durability classification tables for full details.

Reference Tables

Timber Classification Tables

Standard NZ classification tables for strength groupings, shrinkage and durability. This species is highlighted in each table.

Minimum Values for Strength Groups
Unseasoned Timber  |  Units: MPa = 145 lb/sq.inch
Strength Group Modulus of Rupture Modulus of Elasticity Max Crushing Strength
S1 103 16300 52
S2 76 14200 43
S3 73 12400 36
S4 62 10700 31
S5 52 9100 26
S6 43 7900 22
S7 36 6900 18
Minimum Values for Strength Groups
Seasoned Timber  |  Units: MPa = 145 lb/sq.inch
Strength Group Modulus of Rupture Modulus of Elasticity Max Crushing Strength
SD1 150 21500 80
SD2 130 18500 70
SD3 110 16000 61
SD4 94 14000 54
SD5 78 12500 47
SD6 65 10500 41
SD7 55 9100 36
SD8 45 7900 30
Shrinkage Classifications
Shrinkage from Green to Oven-dry (12% MC) – % before reconditioning
Description of Shrinkage Tangential Radial
Very Low0 – 3.50 – 2
Low3.5 – 5.02 – 3
Medium5.0 – 6.53 – 4
High6.5 – 8.04 – 5
Very High> 8.0> 5
Durability Classifications
Approximate service life (years)
Grade of Durability Fully Protected Above Ground, Exposed In-Ground, Exposed
Very Durable> 50> 40> 25
Durable> 5015 – 4015 – 25
Moderately Durable> 507 – 155 – 15
Non-Durable> 500 – 70 – 5
This species – Strength Group
SD3
Highlighted in the strength tables above
This species – Durability
Durable
Highlighted in the durability table above

Applications

Main Uses

Decking Exterior Furniture & Joinery Exterior Construction Flooring

Stock & Sizes

Availability

Ex 100x25mm and Ex 150x25mm kiln dried decking, as well as 40mm, 50mm, 75mm and 100mm thicknesses in a range of fixed widths.

Quality Standard

Grading

Grade Select