Scientific name

Heritiera utilis Kosterm; H. densiflora Kosterm

Other names

English: Niangon

Geographic origin

West Africa and Central Africa

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: greyish bown
&;8226; Heartwood: varies from reddish brown to pink brown.
&;8226; Fiber: Straight, generally slightly intertwined
&;8226; Grain: medium size to rough

Capacity of being impregnated

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

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: Easy, except in those cases of oil presence that can cause allergies.
&;8226; Drying process: Speed can vary from medium to high speed. Low to medium risks of deformation and crack formation.
&;8226; Planing process: Difficulties arise from risk of repelling due to frequently intertwined fibers.
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties.
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: No difficulties.
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties, except in those cases of oil stain existance, that must be eliminated with a solvent.

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity 680 kg/m3 semi-heavy wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.47 % nervous wood
- Relation between contractions 2.2 con bastante tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 3.1 semi-hardwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 1,150 kg/cm2 &;8226; Elasticity module 105,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 550 kg/cm2

Observations

They are usually small diameter twisted trunks and so it is very difficult to obtain wide and long Goods.