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Blunting Effect Boring Carving 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 Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Distemonanthus benthamianus Trade Name Ayan Family Name Leguminosae Common Names African satinwood, Alinyan, Anyan, Anyaran, Anyendua, Ayan, Ayan movingui, Ayanran, Barre, Berisamdua, Bonsamdua, Diaka-kone, Distemonanthus, Dua-kobin, Duaanyn, Duabai, Duabeyi, Ehoromfia, Ehoromiria, Ehurufen, Ehurufren, Elibengan, Eyen, Fawie, Gue-re, Guradau, Gwada-u, Jao, Ka-kankisa, Kokodua, Kurakakan, Kutreamfo, M'fan, Monkey can't climb, Movinga, Movingui, Mpio, Muvenghi, Ndulii, Nigerian satinwood, Nigerian yellow satinwood, Ogueminia, Ogueminya, Owingue, Sebako, Sella, Tabako, Urumvia, Waiba-yidi, Yellow satinwood Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone Common Uses Agricultural implements, Balusters, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Ceiling, Chairs, Chemical containers, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Skis, Sporting Goods, Stairworks, Tables, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wheel spokes, Wheels Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Vulnerable in parts of its natural habitat Status unknown in many of its growth areas Secure within many parts of its natural range, but not completely assessed Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Rather secure in Cameroon and Congo. Vulnerable in the Ivory Coast. Status unknown in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo Distribution Overview Widely but sparsely distributed throughout the high forests of West Africa, mainly in Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow Pink Red Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Pale brown Pale red to pink Occasional dark streaks Changes color upon exposure The color of the freshly-cut heartwood darkens from golden-yellow to orange-brown upon exposure, sometimes with dark streaks. Sapwood Color Brown Yellow White Pink White to yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood Different than heartwood Yellowish brown Whitish Grey Buff Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Interlocked Wavy Rippled (figure) Even Closed Stripe (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct and very fine figure Wavy Distinct figure Rippled figure Striped figure Straight to shallowly interlocked Grain is straight to slightly interlocked and produces a ribbon figure Texture Even or uniform Uniform Medium Coarse Fine Medium Fine to medium Coarse Luster High Lustrous Pronounced Natural Growth Defects Yellowish deposits in vessels Gum and mineral deposits Natural Durability Very durable Durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Moderately durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Non durable Moderately resistant to attack by termites Resistance to marine borer attack varies with silica content. Odor Has an odor Silica Content Contains high levels of silica (> 0.5% of dry weight) The wood is siliceous and may contain up to 1.3% (of ovendry weight) of silica. A silica content of 0.05% is usually considered to be high enough to affect some wood properties Light-Induced Color Change None Toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed T6 - D4 (4/4); T3 - D3 (8/4) US Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Distortion Extension of Existing Shakes Ring Shakes Slight end splitting No twisting or warping No end splitting Slight twist/warp Slight surface checking A slight tendency to end-checks, surface-checks, and/or knot-checks, and excessive loss of aromatic oils are the most common drying degrades in this species. Ease of Drying Slowly Reconditioning Treatement Fairly Easy Little degrade Easy Little degrade if dried properly Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is misshapen Tree Size Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 60-70 m Tree height is greater than 70 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm The clean, fairly straight and cylindrical bole is reported to develop over a relatively small buttress. Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced occasionally and exported only in low volumes. Timber produced by this species is labelled and marketed sometimes as Satinwood. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Reaction Wood - Abnormal wood tissue may be present in some stock. Strength properties are comparable to those of oak. A yellow-colored dye in the wood may stain fabrics under moist conditions. Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on machining is variable Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Dulling effect on cutting edges varies with silica content Boring Fairly easy to very easy Easy The wood works readily with most hand and machine tools but it tends to char in boring Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Moderate to saw Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Gum-Resin buildup on saws may cause overheating Easy to saw Gluing Easy to glue Good gluing properties Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Responds well to hand and machine tools in mortising The timber responds rather well to both hand and machine tools in mortising and almost all woodworking operations but there may be some dulling effect on cutting edges. Degree of dulling is dependent upon silica content Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Pick-Up may occur during moulding of quartersawn material. A 20 degree reduction of cutting angle is usually sufficient to produce clean surfaces Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Small Very stable after seasoning Nailing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to nail Easy to nail Possible if prebored Holds nails well Good nailing characteristics There is a slight tendency for the wood to split Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Difficult to plane Easy to plane Special attention required Planes well, to a good finish Planes to a poor finish A reduced angle of 20 degrees is recommended to prevent pick-up in planing quartersawn material. Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to machine Variable qualities Routing & Recessing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Easy to sand Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to screw Variable Screwing yields good results Satisfactory screwing properties Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Easy to cut Suitable for slicing Suitable for slicing into decorative veneers No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Moderately easy to veneer Bolt preparation requires steaming Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderate Painting Satisfactory results Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Staining (Characteristic) = coloured water-soluble extract Finish is generally satisfactory Good staining qualities Finish is generally good Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = small Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = high Hardness (side grain) = soft Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = very high Work to Maximum Load = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = hard Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 12243 17000 psi Density 45 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1278 lbs Impact Strength 31 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 6451 8791 psi Shearing Strength 1856 psi Stiffness 1484 1757 1000 psi Work to Maximum Load 9 12 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.54 0.63 Weight 44 43 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % Volumetric Shrinkage 11 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 860 1195 kg/cm2 Density 721 kg/m3 Hardness 579 kg Impact Strength 78 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 453 618 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 130 kg/cm2 Stiffness 104 123 1000 kg/cm2 Work to Maximum Load 0.63 0.84 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.54 0.63 Weight 705 689 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 3 % Tangential Shrinkage 5 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 Bertin, A., Meniaud, J.,1949,Timbers of the Cameroons,Compagnie Francais du Cameroon,(Transl. by F.Jane) Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1947,Movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.2, pp59-62 Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1975,Movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.162,pp25-36 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 Bond, C.W.,1950,Colonial Timbers,Sir Issac Pitman & Sons Ltd. London Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France France - C.T.F.T.,1961,Resultats des Observations et des Essais Effectues au CTFT sur le,Movingui,C.T.F.T. Information technique,No.104 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 Leaflets France - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,France Freitas, M.C.P.G. de,1961,Madeiras de Angola Series 1,Reprint from Garcia de Orta Lisbon,9(4,pp699-711 Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la Cameroun HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France. Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Keay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan Kennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer Lagos Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast Kline, M. 1986. Distemonanthus benthamianus - Ayan. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3 Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Meniaud, J., Bretonnet, F.,1926,Les Bois Coloniaux d'Afrique dans l'Industrie,Publ. de l'Agence Gen. des Colonies Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1956,Movingui (Distemonanthus benthamianus,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,11(1,p45 Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1957,Landa (Erythroxylum mannii,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,12(12,p37 Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T Sallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23 Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra Leone Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal] Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of Africa Woods 2,Tropical Woods 16(106) pp65-97 Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38 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 Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and Sons Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd. Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition Tropical Timber Information Center U.S.A.,1975,Mansonia (Mansonia altissima,State Univ., New York T.T.I.C. Bulletin,No.1 Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. London Voorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, Wageningen Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13