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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resin Content Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Weathering		Scientific Name Autranella congolensis Trade Name Mukulungu Family Name Sapotaceae Synonyms Mimusops letestui Common Names Adjazok, Angulu, Anzala, Autracon, Banga, Bonyanga, Bouanga, Bwanga, Elang, Elangzok, Elanzok, Fino, Kabulungu, Kolo, Kondofino, Kungulu, M'fua, Mafamuti, Mbanga, Mtua, Mubelenge, Muku, Mukulumbu, Mukulungu, Mukungulu, Mumbelenge, Ntsha, Ovanga, Uku, Yoli Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Chemical containers, Construction, Crossties, Decks, Decorative veneer, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Piling, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wharf construction Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Inadequate information for some areas Abundant Distribution Overview Widely distributed throughout the dense equatorial forests of Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria and Zaire. It is rather rare. Heartwood Color Brown Red Purple Yellow Black Reddish brown Reddish-Brown, reddish-orange, or deep wine red, often with dark brown streaks Purple Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure Sapwood Color Green/Grey Paler than heartwood Not always clearly demarcated from heartwood Grey Different than heartwood Grain Straight Interlocked Even Figure Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Interlocked slightly to moderately Distinct figure Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Luster Medium Lustrous Sometimes lustrous but not always Natural Growth Defects High growth stresses may cause logs to split upon felling Center of large logs is usually defective Natural Durability Very durable Durable Resistant to marine borers Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Moderately durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to termites Resistant to powder post beetles Very durable Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from marine borers Very resistant to decay Susceptible to termite attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Moderately durable High natural tolerance to the adverse effects of the weather Weathering Excellent Odor No specific smell or taste Silica Content Siliceous Likely to have significant impact on machining Contains silica Resin Content Staining materials are absent Contains resin Toxicity Some toxic effects Unspecified toxicity Respiratory effects Sawdust can cause throat irritation in some individuals Sawdust can cause nose irritation in some individuals Working areas should be adequately ventilated to remove irritating dust Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Drying Defects Splitting Checking Distortion Severe end splitting Serious checking and distortion may occur during drying Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Medium to High Shrinkage Slowly Difficult Should be quartersawn to minimize degrade Dries slowly and may have large shrinkage Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m Tree height is 50-60 m Trunk diameter is 300-350 cm It often develops long, cylindrical and well-formed boles Product Sources Timber production is rated as fairly important and exportation is low but regular Certified Source Certified Source Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Good resistance to acids in dilute concentrations Sometimes confused with African Species, Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma) and Makore (Tieghemella heckelii) Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is moderate Dulling effect on cutters can be rapid and severe Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Teeth tend to blunt rapidly Fairly easy to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Carefully Controlled Conditions Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Gluing is often difficult Easy to glue Requires carefully controlled conditions Mortising Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to mortise Difficult to mortise Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to mould Difficult to mould Movement in Service Unstable with Poor Stability - Large Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Large Very poor dimensional stability Small Material with interlocked grain moves considerably after manufacture Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to nail Variable nailing properties, but they are generally difficult Easy to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Fairly easy to work in most machining operations to produce a smooth finish Dulls cutting edges rapidly due to silica content Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Very difficult to treat with preservatives Heartwood is moderately resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to screw Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Fairly good polishing characteristics Strength Properties Bending strength (MOR) = high Max. crushing strength = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = hard Shrinkage, Radial = large Max. crushing strength = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = very high Very dense Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium The species is considerably stronger than White oak or Teak Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 14319 21705 psi Density 59 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2311 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 7470 11316 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1950 2304 1000 psi Specific Gravity 0.68 Weight 57 57 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 13 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1006 1526 kg/cm2 Density 945 kg/m3 Hardness 1048 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 525 795 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 137 161 1000 kg/cm2 Specific Gravity 0.68 Weight 913 913 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48 Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal] Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Olon (Fagara heitzii and Fagara brieyi,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.10,pp175-8 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1954,Mukulungu (Autranella congolensis,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,36,pp25-28 Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cividini, R.,1967,Studio delle Caratteristiche dei Legni per Pavimenti e Loro Valutazione,Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Rome Contr.Sc-Pract Mig.Cons ed Ut.del,Legno 8(13) Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada Fouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38 Fouarge, J.,1953,Bois du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Fouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76 Fougerousse, M., Deschamps, P.,1968,Essais de Resistance de quelques Bois Tropicaux aux Xylophages Marins dans,la,Port de la Pallice,C.T.F.T. Note Technique,No.7 France - C.T.F.T.,Promotion of Zaire Timbers. New Series (Leaflets,C.T.F.T. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. Association Internationale Technique des Bois Tropicaux, Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, 8 Rue du Colonel Moll, 75017 Paris Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Keay, R.W.J. 1989. Trees of Nigeria. Revised Version of Nigerian Trees. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5 Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 Wagenfuhr, H.,1972,Mukulungu,Holztechnologie,11(2, pp135-6 WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing: Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center (WCMC, Plants Program, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom. Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13