All species / African Padauk

African Padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii)

Furniture accents, turning and boxes; starts vivid orange-red, mellows to brown.

The data

Stiffness (modulus of elasticity)1,895,000 psi

Specific gravity (12% MC)0.67

Janka hardness1,710 lbf

Average dried weight46.5 lb/ft³

Shrinkage, radial (green → dry)3.1%

Shrinkage, tangential5.0%

Shrinkage, volumetric7.9%

Movement classVery stable

Stiffness & hardness: Wood Database (Table 5-3 class data). Shrinkage: Wood Database. Full sourcing notes are in our data documentation on the guides page — values print with their source so you can check us.

Shelf span guide — African Padauk

Longest span that stays at or under the 0.02 in/ft long-term standard, floating ends, load spread evenly:

Shelf	15 lb/ft	25 lb/ft	35 lb/ft
3/4 in thick, 11 in deep	36 in	31 in	27 in
1 in thick, 11 in deep	49 in	41 in	37 in

Quick sag check — African Padauk

Span (in)

Depth (in)

Thickness (in)

Total load (lb)

Full options — edging strips, fixed ends, centered loads — in the Shelf Sag Calculator.

Quick movement check — African Padauk

Width across grain (in)

Cut

From MC (%)

To MC (%)

Full options in the Wood Movement Calculator.