Scientific name

Scientific name: Khaya spp

Other names

English: Acajú, Caju,Khaya, African mahogany

Geographic origin

Center, West and East of Africa

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: Pink white
&;8226; Heartwood: varies from pink brown to light red that darkens with the light effects
&;8226; Fiber: Straight, usually intertwined and of small to medium size
&;8226; Grain: medium size
&;8226; Characteristic defects: Growth tensions, soft core.

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: Medium capacity of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: No capable of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Easy, although there is a risk of deformation due to growth tensions
&;8226; Drying process: Easy and fast. Low risk of deformation, with mainly intertwined wood
&;8226; Planing process: Risk of repelling with intertwined fiber pieces
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: Easy
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity
510 kg/m3 semiligera
&;8226; Dimensional stability
&;8226; Volumetric contraction coefficient
0.41 % stable wood
&;8226; Relation between contractions
1.52% no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon)
1.9 Softwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 760 kg/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 94,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 460 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to parallel traction a las Fibers
600 kg/cm2

Observations

Strong difference of colour between its very light Sapwood and the dark Heartwood.