Scientific name

Afzelia spp

Other names

English: Doussie

Geographic origin

Africa

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: Yellowish white colour.
&;8226; Heartwood: reddish brown.
&;8226; Fiber: Straight, occasionally slightly wavy
&;8226; Grain: medium size

Capacity of being impregnated

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

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Ordinary difficulties due to hardness
&;8226; Drying process: quite slow. Low risk of deformation and crack formation.
&;8226; Planing process: Easy. risk of repelling on intertwined fibers
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties.
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: pre-drilling is required due to hardness.
&;8226; Finish: Rubber deposits can locally hamper varnish adherence

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity 790 kg/m3 heavy wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.34% highly stable wood
- Relation between contractions 1.4% no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 7.4 hardwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 1,730 kg/cm2 &;8226; Elasticity module 137,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 740 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to parallel traction 1,200 kg/cm2

Observations

It is recommened not to use the Sapwood.