Technical Information

Basic Resource

The raw source material for Tangaloa Prime hardwood is the common coconut tree (cocos nucifera), also referred to by Tangaloa as coco timber trees. In the field, strict proprietary specifications are applied to grade a Tangaloa coco timber tree. After logging, proprietary milling technology and other processes transform the log into Tangaloa Prime hardwood.

Biology

A monocotyledon (monocot), a Tangaloa coco timber tree is not organized with separate sapwood and heartwood perimeters, as is present in dicotyledon (dicot) trees. Rather, it has the equivalent of vascular bundles that are spread throughout the cellulose structure of the tree and continuous and contiguous for the length of the tree. Non-branching, the tree is naturally free of all knots. Extremely high in fiber content, only trees that are non-productive and senile are logged. At this stage, the primary, secondary and tertiary fibers are at its most mature and highest densities.

The primary vascular bundle of the coco timber tree is located at the outer perimeter of the trunk and gives the tree its high strength and elasticity. Thus, the hardest wood of the tree is milled from the outer boundaries, with the wood getting relatively less hard towards the center.

Tangaloa grades all of its wood as FAF prime, as all faces are 100% clear and knot-free. It has a very high vascular fiber content and clear grain patterns. The wood is naturally free of all knots. Visual examinations easily discern the hardest wood by its dense vascular fiber content and dark tones from the less hard wood and lighter tones. Degrees of hardness are relative, as all Tangaloa wood is hard.

Density and Hardness

Tangaloa Prime hardwood has two degrees of density and hardness and is graded according to the following parameters:

1. High-density timber - hard: 600-800kg/m³ ; avg. 4lbs/bf;
2. Medium density timber – med. hard: 400-600kg/m³ ; avg. 3lbs/bf.

Color Tones

Color tones and hues range from golden to near ebony. There are three basic color divisions that relate to vascular density: dark tones, highest density; medium dark or transitional tones between dark and light, medium density; and blonde or golden tones, lightest density.

Standard Mill Cuts

• Thickness 1/4 inch to 2 inches
• Width up to 6 inches
• Length up to 10 feet

Mechanical Properties

* All tests conducted followed the procedures of the ASTM Standard Methods of Testing Small clear specimens of Timber ASTM Designation: D143-52.

Comparison with Philippine Mahogany

The strength properties of Tangaloa Prime hardwood exceed those of the tiaong mahogany (shorea aquaboensis), except for the modus of elasticity, which are approximately 90% of tiaong.

Termite Testing

Five test stations were maintained for nine months in known termite-infested area. At the end of the nine months, examination of all thirty wood samples showed no intrusion of termites. Tangaloa makes no claims as to the degree of termite resistance of its wood.

Water Soak Expansion Test

• Four 1/4"x4x48" blanks (uncoated) soaked in water for 24 hours:
• Result: 1.54-3% expansion. Returned to original dimensions after natural drying.