Katalox Plank

Colour: The heartwood of Katalox is renowned for its exceptionally dark and dense colour. It is one of the darkest natural woods available, ranging from dark reddish-brown to nearly black when freshly cut.

The sapwood of Katalox is usually much lighter in colour, often pale yellow or beige. The sharp contrast between the dark heartwood and light sapwood creates striking visual patterns.

Color Change: Over time, the dark heartwood of Katalox can darken further with exposure to light, turning a deep, almost ebony black. This darkening process is highly valued and adds to the wood's allure.

Grain Pattern: Katalox typically exhibits a straight to slightly interlocked grain pattern. The grain is fine to medium in texture, contributing to a smooth and polished finish.

Texture: The wood has a relatively fine texture, which, combined with its tight grain, allows it to take a high polish and finish exceptionally well.

Figure: While Katalox may not have highly pronounced figure patterns, it can occasionally display subtle figuring, such as fine striping or mottling, which adds to its visual appeal.

Dark Colour Patina: Over time, the heartwood of Katalox can darken further, developing a deep and lustrous ebony-like patina that adds to its visual appeal while retaining its durability.

Hardness: Katalox is extremely hard, with a Janka hardness rating that can exceed 3,600 pounds-force (lbf). Its hardness makes it highly resistant to denting and wear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas and applications where durability is crucial.

Durability Against Decay: Katalox is naturally resistant to decay and rot. Its heartwood contains natural compounds that deter fungal growth and wood-destroying organisms, contributing to its longevity in outdoor and moist environments.

Insect Resistance: Katalox wood is known for its resistance to wood-boring insects, including termites. This resistance makes it a preferred choice in regions where insect infestations are a concern.

Dimensional Stability: Properly dried and seasoned Katalox wood exhibits good dimensional stability. It is less prone to warping, twisting, or shrinking when exposed to changes in humidity or temperature.

Weather Resistance: Katalox's natural oils and hardness contribute to its ability to withstand weathering, including exposure to sunlight and moisture. It maintains its structural integrity and appearance over time.

Longevity: Due to its durability, Katalox wood products can have a long lifespan when used in various applications. Proper maintenance and finishing can further enhance its longevity.

Wear Resistance: Katalox's hardness and density make it highly resistant to wear and abrasion. This property is advantageous in applications such as flooring and tool handles.

Low Maintenance: Katalox wood often requires minimal maintenance to retain its durability and appearance. Regular cleaning and occasional refinishing are typically sufficient.

Resistance to Chemicals: Katalox is generally resistant to a wide range of chemicals and solvents, making it suitable for applications where exposure to chemicals may occur.

Dark Color Patina: Over time, the heartwood of Katalox can darken further, developing a deep and lustrous ebony-like patina that adds to its visual appeal while retaining its durability.

Fine Furniture: Katalox is often used in crafting high-quality furniture, including tables, chairs, cabinets, and desks. Its dark and luxurious appearance adds a touch of elegance to furniture pieces.

Decorative Woodworking: Woodworkers and artisans use Katalox for creating decorative items such as fine carvings, inlays, and ornamental pieces. Its fine grain and dark color make it suitable for intricate woodworking projects.

Musical Instruments: Katalox is valued in musical instrument making, particularly for the construction of fingerboards, bridges, and other components of stringed instruments like guitars and violins. Its hardness and stability are ideal for this purpose.

Turned Items: Woodturners use Katalox to create turned items such as bowls, vases, and pens. Its fine grain allows for smooth turning and polishing.

Flooring: Due to its durability and resistance to wear and tear, Katalox is occasionally used for hardwood flooring in high-traffic areas where a dark, exotic wood floor is desired.

Cabinetry: Cabinetmakers appreciate Katalox for its unique appearance. It can be used for cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and other cabinetry components.

Veneers: Katalox can be sliced into thin veneer sheets and used as decorative overlays on furniture, interior doors, and architectural elements to create a striking visual contrast.

Woodworking Tools: Katalox is used for making handles for woodworking tools, providing durability and a comfortable grip.

Dowels and Pegs: Its hardness and strength make Katalox suitable for creating dowels and pegs for joinery and construction purposes.

Green Moisture Content: When freshly cut, Katalox wood can have a relatively high moisture content, often exceeding 30% or even higher. Like most woods, it contains a significant amount of moisture in its green state.

Drying Process: Proper drying is essential to reduce the moisture content of Katalox wood to an appropriate level for woodworking. Kiln drying or air drying is typically used to bring the moisture content down to a suitable range.

Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC): Once properly dried, Katalox wood will reach an equilibrium moisture content that is in balance with the surrounding environment. The specific EMC can vary depending on factors such as the local climate and indoor conditions. For interior uses in temperate climates, an EMC of 6% to 12% is typical for hardwoods like Katalox.

Application Specific: The ideal moisture content for Katalox wood depends on its intended application and the environmental conditions of the area where the final product will be used. Woodworkers often acclimate the wood to the environment where it will be installed to minimise the risk of dimensional changes.

• Density: 830 kg/m³
• Modulus of Elasticity (MOEFLEX): 183600 cm³
• Resistance to Elastic Limit (RLEFLEX): 700 kg/cm²
• Flex Rupture Resistance (RR): 1349 kg/cm²
• Modulus of Elasticity Compression Parallel (MOECom): 1691100 kg/cm²
• Resistance to Elastic Limit Compression Parallel (RLECom): 363 kg/cm²
• Resistance to Rupture Compression Parallel (RR Com): 602 kg/cm²
• Perpendicular Resistance to Elastic Limit Compression Perpendicular (RLE Com): 557 kg/cm²
• Resistance to Rupture Shear Parallel (RR Corte) : 602 kg/cm²
• Lateral Hardness for Side Face (JK Lateral): 844 kg
• Lateral Hardness for Transverse Face (JK Lateral): 947 kg

Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to wood dust. Symptoms can include skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. If you have a known sensitivity to wood dust or experience any adverse reactions, it's important to take additional precautions.

Dust Inhalation: Wood dust, in general, can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities over time. It's important to work in a well-ventilated area and use appropriate dust collection systems and personal protective equipment, such as masks or respirators, especially when sanding or cutting the wood.

Skin Protection: Wear gloves to protect your hands from splinters and potential irritants in the wood.

Eye Protection: Always wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from wood chips and dust when cutting, sanding, or working with the wood in any way that could produce debris.

Safe Handling Practices: Use proper techniques and tools to handle and work with the wood safely to avoid accidents or injuries.