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Blunting Effect 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 Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Turning		Scientific Name Guibourtia arnoldiana Trade Name Mutenye Family Name Leguminosae Synonyms Copaifera arnoldiana, Copaifera ehie Common Names Benge, Benzi, Bubinga, Essingang, Kerazingo, Kevasingo, Kevazingo, Kouan, Libenge, M'benge, M'Penze, Mbenge, Mutenye, Non-eyen, Ntene, Olive walnut, Oliver walnut, Ovang, Tropical oliver, Waka Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Nigeria, South Africa, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bent Parts, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes Environmental Profile Not threatened Globally secure Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview West Central Africa, particularly Zaire. Heartwood Color Tan Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Yellowish brown Brown The heartwood is pale yellowish brown to medium brown with a reddish cast and gray-black stripes. The color is similar to European walnut. Sapwood Color White to yellow Well defined Pale yellow Grey Different than heartwood Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Grain Figure Distinct (figure) Wavy Interlocked Even Straight Closed Stripe (figure) Wavy Interlocked Distinct and very fine figure Straight Striped figure Distinct figure Combination of grain and black veining gives the wood a very attractive appearance Texture Fine Medium Fine Fine to medium Texture is described as fine and very dense Natural Durability Moderately durable Durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack by pinhole borers Somewhat susceptible to attack by termites Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from marine borers Resistant to attack by marine borers Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Non durable Muntenye is readily attacked by pinhole borers, and is moderately susceptible to termites, but it is rarely attacked by marine borers. The timber is reported to resist the harmful effects of the weather rather well. Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 Dry at a slow speed T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US Drying Defects Moderate twist/warp Moderate surface checking Gum pockets may exude gum if the wood is dried at high temperatures. Ease of Drying Requires care Drying requires care since the wood has high shrinkage. Slow kiln-drying has been recommended Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Product Sources The genus, which is native to Africa, supplys four fairly well known timbers which are considerably different in color, despite their close botanical kinship. Mutenye is one of several important species contributed to international trade by Guibourtia. It is not as plentiful compared to other Guibourtia species, and the price is moderate for an imported species. The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in low quantities but frequently and exported in low volumes. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Mutenye has been described as a poor man's rosewood. Its density is reported to be in the same range as the softer Brazilian softwoods, while its texture is closer to Honduras rosewood. Blunting Effect Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Low cutting resistance Gluing Fair gluing properties The wood has fairly good gluing properties. Gum cells occasionally affect gluing qualities Moulding For best results use a reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees Movement in Service Medium Dimensional stability after drying is moderate, and the timber tends to exhibit medium movement in use. Nailing Good nailing qualities Difficult to nail Planing Difficult to plane Good response to both hand and machine tools The material works well with both hand and machine tools in planing, turning, mortising, and most woodworking operations, despite its hardness and density. Interlocked or wavy grain material may be difficult to work. Resistance to Impregnation Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood responds poorly to preservative treatment Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Responds fairly well to hand tools Moderate working qualities Sanding Good sanding qualities Screwing Good screwing properties Turning The wood is fine-textured which suggests good turning properties, but there is a high risk of chipping because of interlocked and wavy grain Steam Bending Moderate Good Steam bending qualities are rated as moderate since the wood has a tendency to distort. There may also be some gum exudation. Polishing Satisfactory results Excellent results The wood takes an excellent polish, with some care. Staining Stains very well Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Hardness (side grain) = medium Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = very high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13357 20492 psi Crushing Strength 1529 psi Density 49 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1983 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 7683 10303 psi Shearing Strength 2080 psi Static Bending 11505 psi Stiffness 1887 2167 1000 psi Toughness 509 inch-lbs Specific Gravity 0.69 Weight 51 48 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Volumetric Shrinkage 12 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 939 1440 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 107 kg/cm2 Density 785 kg/m3 Hardness 899 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 540 724 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 146 kg/cm2 Static Bending 808 kg/cm2 Stiffness 132 152 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 586 cm-kg Specific Gravity 0.69 Weight 817 769 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % References Arno, J. 1989. Guibourtia arnoldiana - Benge. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa. 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] 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 Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison. 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 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 France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 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. 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 Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125 Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California. Monterio, R.R., Pimenta de Franca, O.F.,1965,Tres Especies Florestais de Angola,Bol. Inst. Invest. Cientifica de Angola Reprint (Luanda, 2(2,pp209-18 Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T. 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] 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