Massaranduba VS Ebony
- Harder wear surface (Janka 3130 vs 2430 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 192.2 vs 136.0 MPa)
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | Massaranduba |
| Strength (MOR) | Massaranduba |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Massaranduba |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Tie |
| Lightness | Massaranduba |
Engineering data
| Property | Massaranduba | Ebony |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 3130WD lbf | 2430 lbf |
| Density | 0.85WD g/cm³ | 0.9 g/cm³ |
| MOE | 23.0WD GPa | 16.0 GPa |
| MOR | 192.2WD MPa | 136.0 MPa |
| Durability | Class 1 Very Durable | Class 1 Very Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Fire (E84) | Class A indicative | Class A indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 6.7WD % | 5.5 % |
| Tangential Shrink | 9.4WD % | 6.5 % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.4 | 1.18 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 Massaranduba | ★★★★★ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Massaranduba | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Massaranduba | ★★★★★ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Ebony | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Massaranduba | ★★★★★ |
Advantages & limitations
Massaranduba
Advantages relative to Ebony
- Janka is 3,130 lbf vs 2,430 lbf, about 29% harder
- MOR is 192.2 MPa vs 136 MPa, about 41% higher
- MOE is 23.0 GPa vs 16.0 GPa, about 44% higher
Limitations relative to Ebony
Ebony
Advantages relative to Massaranduba
Limitations relative to Massaranduba
- Janka is 2,430 lbf vs 3,130 lbf, about 22% lower
- MOR is 136 MPa vs 192.2 MPa, about 29% lower
- MOE is 16.0 GPa vs 23.0 GPa, about 30% lower
Recommendation
Choose Massaranduba if…
- Marine and mine timbers, heavy construction, bridges and boat frames, and heavy-traffic decking where the higher hardness, bending strength and stiffness are what the piece must deliver and the shared Class 1 durability and Class A fire class are the baseline
- Structural components subject to bending loads where the exterior-hardwood profile matters in specification
Choose Ebony if…
- Musical instrument parts (piano keys, fingerboards, bridges, nuts), inlay and marquetry, chess pieces, knife and tool handles where the traditional documented small-component use is what the project is specifying
- High-end furniture detailing and turned specialty objects where the ebony grain and appearance are the aesthetic preference
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Massaranduba or Ebony?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 1, Very Durable). For outdoor work the separation is movement, not decay: Ebony moves 6.5% tangentially against 9.4%, which decides board width and fixing spacing more than the durability class does.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 1, and tangential movement runs 9.4% for Massaranduba against 6.5% for Ebony — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and Ebony holds its dimension marginally better. Massaranduba gives the harder wearing surface at 3,130 lbf; Massaranduba is the lighter section at 0.85 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is Massaranduba harder than Ebony?
Yes — Janka 3130 lbf vs 2430 lbf.