Afromorsia

Pericopsis elata Van Meeuwen
English: African Teak, Afromosia, Afrormosia, Asamela
Africa. Included in the list of endangered species by the CITES.

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: light yellowish grey colour.
&;8226; Heartwood: yellowish grey coloured, it darkens with the lights effects.
&;8226; Fiber: straight or intertwined.
&;8226; Grain: varies from thin to medium size.
&;8226; Defects: the possible tannin can cause blue spots.

Applications

&;8226; Carpentry work.
&;8226; Panels for decorative coatings.
&;8226; Interior carpentry: floorings, stairs, molding.
&;8226; Exterior carpentry.
&;8226; Naval construction: bridges, boat desks.
&;8226; Turning.

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: capable of being impregnated.
&;8226; Heartwood: no capable of being impregnated.

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: powerful aspiration equipments.
&;8226; Drying process: slow. Risk of deformations and crack formation.
&;8226; Gluing process: no difficulties.
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: pre-drilling is required.
&;8226; Finish: no difficulties.

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density (12% humidity): 690kg/m3.
&;8226; Dimensional stability:
Volumetric contraction coefficient 7.8% medium nervous wood.
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 5.9 semi-hardwood.

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 1,190 kg/cm2.
&;8226; Elasticity module 129,000 Kg/cm2.
&;8226; Resistance to parallel compression 650 kg/cm2.

Observations

&;8226; It is the african wood which is more similar to asian Teak.
&;8226; Attention, very important: It is a specie protected by the CITES agreement. It is contained in the Annex II. Thus, a permission for exportation or a re-exportation certificate is required.
&;8226; Such document must be demanded at the time of purchasing.