Mango Wood: unique and versatile, a variety of wood becoming increasingly popular in furniture making and other household objects. This guide provides comprehensive information about mango wood, including its history, physical and scientific information, characteristics, pros and cons, and uses.
Origin
The domesticated Mango tree can be traced back to ancient India, some four thousand years ago. It was brought to East Asia between the 4th and 5th century BC with the establishment of water trade routes operated by the Portuguese. Today, the Mango fruit is the national fruit of India, the Philippines, and Pakistan, and the tree itself is the national tree of Bangladesh.
The Basics
Mango wood is derived from the mango tree, a species of flowering tree from the Anacardiaceae family, which is part of the cashew and sumac family. The mango tree is beloved for both its tart, sweet fruit and gorgeous wood. It originated in southeast Asia, though now farmers grow it all over the world from California to South Africa. Mango production has doubled over the past 30 years alone. Mango trees are deep-rooted evergreens that have foliage that remains green throughout more than one growing season. Farmers cultivate mango trees in China, India, and parts of Africa. These trees reach full maturity in 10-15 years and only produce fruit for 27 years after its first year of fruit. Farmers cut the mango tree down to sell as lumber when a tree becomes too tall and no longer produces mangos. Mango wood is a variety of wood that has a dense texture with a fine grain, is strong and durable, and works well in various furniture because of its natural moisture resistance properties.
Physical and Scientific Information
Mangifera Indica wood has a golden brown colour with some streaks of pink and black. Curly or mottled patterns are common, and it has a straight or interlocked texture, medium to coarse grain with natural lustre. It has medium durability when unfinished and has natural moisture resistance. Mango wood has a high silica content so it will dull blades, but glues and finishes well. It has no noticeable odour, but some mild reactions have been noted. It is inexpensive except for boards with curly figure, spalting, and unique color variations. Mango wood is available from sources in Hawaii and Asia.
Characteristics
Mango wood: unique and versatile is rated as a hardwood because of its strength and density of the wood. It is similar in strength to ash and cherry wood. It has an innate luster that can be polished to a high shine. Mango wood’s durability makes it ideal for making furniture. Also, it is easy to cut and form because it is softer than other hardwoods. The color of most mango tree wood is golden brown. In some cases, there are some variations that feature hints of yellow and green with pink and black streaks. Mango wood has a dense grain that is curly or interlocked. This tight grain means that it can receive a high level of polish. It also takes stain and wax well, making mango wood furniture available in many colors from walnut to natural. The wood of mango trees is harvested after the tree is no longer producing fruit, giving the farmers another income stream. Mango trees are much more available than teak and mahogany as these are fast-growing in comparison.
- Tree size – 80-100 ft (24-30 m)
- Trunk diameter – 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m)
- Janka Hardness – 1,070 lbf (4,780 N)
- Average Dried Weight – 42 lbs/ft3 (675 kg/m3)
- Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC) – .52, .68
- Crushing Strength – 7,240 lbf/in2 (49.9 MPa)
- Modulus of Rupture – 12,830 lbf/in2 (88.5 MPa)
- Elastic Modulus – 1,672,000 lbf/in2 (11.53 GPa)
- Shrinkage:Radial – 3.6%, Tangential: 5.5%, Volumetric: 8.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.5
- Odour – None
Mango Wood Pros and Cons
Mango wood is a unique and gorgeous variety of wood. It is strong and durable, making well-maintained furniture last for many years. Mango trees are fast-growing, reaching maturity in just 10-15 years, making it sustainable and available all over Asia for small farmers and large growers alike. Mango wood has a fine grain with a golden brown color. There are also other color variations with patterns created by spalting. These are prized for their unique appearance. Standard mango wood lumber is inexpensive, but if the wood has unique color or texture variations, the price is more expensive. Mango wood has some natural resistance to moisture, but it can become dehydrated in the open sun. Mango wood has been known in rare instances to cause skin irritation. If mango wood has not been dried and allowed to cure, larger pieces like wardrobes can warp over time.
Uses of Mango Wood
Mango wood; unique and versatile, is a hardwood that used to create various household and outdoor items. It is most commonly used in small and large furniture, outdoor furniture, flooring, paneling, veneer, plywood, turned objects, musical instruments, table boards, beds, doors and window frames, kitchen accessories, and curing leather. Mango wood has enhanced water resistance, making it a perfect choice for outdoor furniture.
Conclusion
Mango wood is a unique and versatile variety of wood that is becoming increasingly popular for furniture making and other household objects. Its unique characteristics, including its strength, density, attractive looks, and durability make it ideal for creating various household objects, ranging from doors and flooring to beds, tables, drawers, and other furniture. Mango wood: unique and versatile is sustainable, inexpensive, and readily available, making it a perfect choice for furniture making and other household objects. With proper care, mango wood can last for many years and maintain its high luster texture.