Scientific name

Lovoa trichiiloides Harms

Other names

English: Embero; Nvero; Dibetou, African Walnut, Congowood, or Tigerwood

Geographic origin

Africa

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: Light yellowish grey
&;8226; Heartwood: Greyish brown to grey
&;8226; Fiber: Straight, with strong tendence to be intertwined.
&;8226; Grain: Thin to medium size

Capacity of being impregnated

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

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: No difficulties, excepting irritation due to powder
&;8226; Drying process: Speed can vary from medium to high speed. Little risk of deformation and crack formation
&;8226; Planing process: No difficulties excepting the risk of repelling produced by pieces of intertwined fibers and the previously mentioned powder irritation
&;8226; Gluing process: Riesgos of stains formation due to the use of alkaline adhesives
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: Risk of crack formation. Pre-drilling ir recommended
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity 540 kg/m3 semi-light wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.4% stable wood
- Relation between contractions 1.61 no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 2.7 Semi-softwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 900 kg/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 87,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 470 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to parallel traction 850 kg/cm2

Observations

''It has strong streaks of dark colour and even a ''''fat streak'''' that is a thin black line.''