Ceylon Satinwood


Name Ceylon Satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as East Indian satinwood, burutu, bhera, behra, and mutirai.
Sources Grows in Sri Lanka and southern India.
Appearance Satiny luster, fine, very even texture and interlocked grain, often wavy or roey, producing narrow ribbon figure. Beautiful pale yellow to golden yellow heartwood and sapwood.
Physical Props Very hard, heavy wood with high bending and crushing strengths, moderate stiffness, low shock resistance, high decay resistance, and good stability in service.
Working Props Fairly difficult to work due to high density – tends to blunt edges and cause tools to chatter unless well supported. Pre-drilling required for nailing or screwing. May be difficult to glue.
Uses Primarily used for luxury cabinets, fine furniture, and interior joinery. Also an excellent turnery wood, often used for tool handles, brush backs, bobbins, and fancy products. Other uses include paneling, carving, inlay motifs, lines, and bandings, and highly decorative veneer.