EMPRESS SPLENDOR™ PROPERTIES

SPECIES: Empress Splendor™
FAMILY: Scrophulariaceae
GENUS: Paulownia

SPECIFIC PROPERTIES

Density
Air Dry Density: 260-330 kg/m3
(@10% moisture content: 17.9)

Specific Gravity
0.265
Chemical Composition
Cellulose content: 46-49%
Hemmicellulose Pentozan: 22-25%
Lignin content: 21-23%

Bending Properties
Modulus of rupture:(x10) 5740
Modulus of elasticity: .84
Shrinkage Coefficient
Specific gravity: 0.21 - 0.27
Radial: 1.1 - 2.0
Tangenital: 2.1 - 3.5

Fiber Characteristics
Fiber cell length: 0.80 - 1.70mm, average is 1.20
Fiber cell width: : average is 0.32mm
Fiber cell length/width ratio: average is 38

Appearance
The Empress Splendor™ wood is a pale blonde to a light honey color with a gradual transition from sapwood to heartwood. The fast early growth results in large growth rings which rapidly diminish in width as the tree matures. The timber has a long straight grain, a silky feel, is relatively odorless and mostly free from knots.

Traits
Empress Splendor™ timber is a lightweight, long straight grain, odorless, mostly knot free wood with a silky feel. It has a high strength to weight ratio, a low shrinkage coefficient , a low air dry density, and does not easily warp, crack or deform.

Qualities
The wood has excellent working characteristics and is renown for its silky and straight finish. It is easy to plane, cut, and carve with little splitting or chipping. The finish is soft and smooth like spun silk.