Walnut
(American Black) Species Information
Top portion is finished with water-base urethane; bottom with
oil-modified polyurethane.
Appearance
Color: Heartwood ranges from a deep, rich dark brown to a purplish
black. Sapwood is nearly white to tan. Difference between
heartwood and sapwood color is great; some flooring manufacturers
steam
lumber to bleed the darker heartwood color into the sapwood,
resulting in a more uniform color.
Grain: Mostly straight and open, but some boards have burled
or curly grain. Arrangement of pores is similar to hickories
and persimmon, but pores are smaller in size.
Variations within species and grades: Great variety of color
and figure within species, as well as variation in color
among boards, especially in lower grades and from material
that isn't
steamed prior to kiln-drying.
Properties
Hardness (Janka): 1010; 22% softer than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00274;
26% more stable than red oak).
Durability: Moderately dense, very strong, good shock resistance.
Not as dent-resistant as oak.
Workability
Sawing/Machining: Easily worked with hand tools, and has excellent
machining qualities.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Fair resistance to splitting; good holding ability.
Finishing: Finishes nicely, with a handsome grain pattern.
Comments: Distinctive sweet aroma when worked. Frequently used
as a highlight material for borders or other inlay techniques.
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