Ipe Guide

2 Nov 2017, 3:50 PM

Ipe is often referred to as Brazilian Walnut. The wood is olive brown to dark brown in colour with reddish tints and distinctive light and dark marbling or striping. Ipe is extremely hard, dense, durable and stable making this timber ideal for decking. It weathers naturally to an even silver /grey over time. WoodTrend Ipe is AD (Air Dried).

Technical Information

Main Species Ipe (Tabebuia spp.)

Wood Type Tropical Hardwood

Distribution / Origin Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Peru, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

Allergic Reactions Known to cause respiratory and contact dermatitis allergic reactions. Care should be taken when exposed to the dust of Ipe.

Density at 20% M.C. 1100 kilos/m3

Average Hardness Janka: 3680 (White Oak: 1360)
Brinell: 5.9 (White Oak: 3.8)

1% Moisture Movement High 0.25-0.35% based tangential / radial shrinkage = width

General Characteristics Sapwood is white and clearly demarcated from the heartwood; Heartwood is yellowish-brown to dark olive-brown, sometimes with thin veins. Canals contain a greenish yellow deposit.

Natural Durability and Treatability Fungi and termite resistance refers to end-uses under temperate climate. Except for special comments on sapwood, natural durability is based on mature heartwood. Sapwood must always be considered as non-durable against wood degrading agents.
E.N. = Euro Norm

Funghi (according to E.N. standards): class 1 - very durable
Dry wood borers: durable - sapwood demarcated (risk limited to sapwood)
Termites (according to E.N. standards): class D – durable
Treatability (according to E.N. standards): class 4 - not permeable
Use class ensured by natural durability: class 4 - in ground or fresh water contact
Species covering the use class 5: Yes

This species naturally covers the use class 5 (end-uses in marine environment or in brackish water) due to its high specific gravity and hardness.
According to the European standard NF EN 335, performance length might be modified by the intensity of end-use exposition.