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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Corrosive Properties Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Piptadeniastrum africanum Trade Name Dahoma Family Name Leguminosae Common Names African greenheart, Agbion, Agboin, Akasanumu, Atui, Banzu, Bi-eh, Bocachico, Bokundu, Bokungo, Bokungu, Bukundu, Carabali, Carbonero, Chen, Dabema, Dahoma, Dandad, Dane, Dubima, Ekhimi, Ekhivi, Elae, Elany, Eran, Erundu, Gau, Guli, Hediondo, Huilca, Itoumbe, Jondo, K-kuperb, Ka-bari, Koungou, Likundu, Mbele, Mbele-guli, Mbeli, Mpewere, Mugeye, Musese, Mussasae, N'singa, N-go, Nga, Odan, Odane, Odannan, Odanwoma, Redwood, Sanga, Singa, Tarahuilca, To, Tom, Toum, wenga Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Uganda, Zaire Common Uses Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Bridge beams, Bridge construction, Bridge joists, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Charcoal, Cooperages, Decks, Domestic flooring, Flooring, Framing, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Moldings, Paneling , Parquet flooring, Particleboard, Partitions, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Truck bodies, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting Environmental Profile Status unknown due to inadequate information Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center The unknown areas include Angola, Central African Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Zaire This species is relatively secure within its natural habitat in Congo, Ivory Coast, and Uganda, but is classified as Vulnerable in Cameroon. Distribution Overview The species occurs in tropical West Africa, from Senegal to Angola and across the Congo region to Uganda. It usually grows in mixed deciduous and evergreen forests, and is often found as single trees on farmlands. The species coppices well. Heartwood Color Brown Red Purple Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Pale brown Greenish to greyish Dark brown White to cream Light to dark brown, and often is a uniform yellow-orange to golden-brown Sapwood Color White White to yellow Well defined Different than heartwood Pinkish Paler than heartwood Pale pink to gray-red Clearly distinct from heartwood It is generally about 2 inches (5 cm) in width Grain Figure Interlocked Distinct (figure) Other (figure) Rippled (figure) Even Straight Interlocked Distinct figure Other figure Rippled figure Broad stripe on quartersawn surfaces Distinct and fine figure Straight Attractive stripe figure often present on quartersawn surfaces. Texture Fine Even or uniform Uniform Coarse Uniform Woolly Luster Lustrous Pronounced Natural Growth Defects Yellowish deposits in vessels Natural Durability Heartwood is fairly resistant to termites and other insects Durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Moderately durable Very durable The standing tree is susceptible to Ambrosia Beetle attack Non durable Vulnerable to attack by powder-post beetles Susceptible to marine borer attack Naturally resistant to decay Susceptible to attack by pinhole borers and moderately resistant to termite attack, except in South Africa Odor Unpleasant odor when freshly cut Odor may be detectable when the wood is re-wetted Corrosive Properties Reacts with metals Toxicity Unspecified toxicity Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Sawdust can cause throat irritation in some individuals Sawdust can cause eye irritation Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=A US=T2D4/T2D3 Fr=1 T2-D4(4/4);T2-D3(8/4)Us Schedule A; United Kingdom Air drying prior to kiln drying is suggested Drying Defects Checking Collapse Distortion Moderate collapse and honeycombing Severe collapse and honeycomb Moderate twist/warp Slight end splitting No end splitting Slight surface checking No surface checking Tendency for some stock to collapse and distort during drying Moderate cupping Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Difficult Easy Variable results. Dries slowly Difficult to kiln dry Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Certified Source Certified Source Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Tendency to split during felling Timber in the green condition may promote corrosion in iron and iron compounds Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is moderate Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Very pronounced blunting in sawing Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Blunting effect on machining is variable Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Easy Boring may cause wood to char moderately and break out at tool exit Carving Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Respond well to ordinary tools in carving, with moderate blunting effect on cutting edges Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Difficult to saw Sever blunting effect on saw-teeth Saws well Gluing Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Gluing is often difficult Glues well Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good mortising properties Difficult to mortise Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Tends to pick up during moulding operations unless reduced cutting angle is used Poor moulding results Difficult to mould Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Medium Small Moderate dimensional stability when straight grained material is properly seasoned Material with interlocked grain moves considerably after manufacture Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Easy to nail Takes nails well Pre-Boring may be necessary Holds nails well Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Difficult to plane Easy to plane Reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended in planing interlocked materials Planes to a poor finish Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Sapwood is moderately resistant Extremely resistant Resistant Moderately resistant to impregnation Fairly resistant to impregnation Resistance to Splitting Satisfactory Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to Work Easy to machine Difficult to machine Responds well to hand tools Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Routing is difficult May be some tearing in material containing interlocked grain Easy routing operations Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to sand Easily sanded Screwing Pre-boring recommended Fair to Good Results Easy to screw Screwing yields good results Possible if prebored Good screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Works well in turning operations, but interlocked grain may interfere with machining Veneering Qualities There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Easy to cut Steam Bending Moderate Moderate steam bending characteristics Painting Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally satisfactory Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = hard Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Shrinkage, Radial = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = very high Work to Maximum Load = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Resists denting and marring High weight High in density High bending strength in air-dry condition (about 12% moisture content) Hardness = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Crushing strength = high Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 10615 15718 psi Crushing Strength 1392 psi Density 43 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1636 lbs Impact Strength 34 31 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 5520 8465 psi Shearing Strength 2315 psi Static Bending 9614 psi Stiffness 1503 1843 1000 psi Toughness 243 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 5 9 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.53 0.63 Weight 44 41 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 14 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 746 1105 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 97 kg/cm2 Density 689 kg/m3 Hardness 742 kg Impact Strength 86 78 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 388 595 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 162 kg/cm2 Static Bending 675 kg/cm2 Stiffness 105 129 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 279 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.63 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.53 0.63 Weight 705 657 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References Banks, C.H. and J.P. 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