 
Limba (Terminalia superba)
Family: Combretaceae
Common names: Afa, Afara, Afia afia, Afodonko, Afraa, Aghan, Akam, Akom, An rin, Bale, Baya, Bese, Blie, Bokone, Chene limbo, Chene-limbo, Congo walnut, Dark limba, Dark noir, Djombe, Edo, Egean, Egoin nufua, Egonni, Egoyin, Eji, End, Faraen, Frake, Fram, Frameri, Framo, Frane, Frango, Frany, Gbararada, Ka-ren, Kegblale, Kojaagei, Kojagei, Kom, Kone, Kongo, Korina, Kosina, Kumkunbe, Landi, Light limba, Limba, Limba clair, Limba noir, Limbo, Moukonia, Mukonja, N'dimba, N'kom, N'limba, Noyer, Noyer du Mayombe, Noyer limbo, Offram, Ofram, Ojiloko, Owebala, Pe, Shingle wood, Tra, Unwonrom, Weiss, White afara, White limba, Yellow pine
Distributed in: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Zaire (Africa)
Distribution overview: Widely distributed from Guinea to Angola and Zaire. It grows in the rain and savannah forests, and is a good plantation species in West Africa.
Common uses: Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Chairs, Chemical derivatives, Coffins, Cooperages, Decorative veneer, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery, Light construction, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Paneling , Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Shingles, Tables, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative
Product sources: Supplies are plentiful and the material is available in the form of veneers and lumber. Price is in the moderate range.
Environment profile: Rare
Tree size: Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm
Colors: the heart isYellow, Yellow to golden-yellow to orangeand the sapwoodWhite, Yellow.The grain isStraight to interlocked, the textureModerately coarseand the lusterPronounced
Natural durability: Susceptible to insect attack, Susceptible to marine borer attack
Odor: No specific taste
LightInduced Color Change: Darker
Kiln Schedules: UK=J US=T10D5S/T8D4S Fr=4
Kiln Drying Rate: Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm)
Drying Defects: Slight twist/warp, Splitting
Ease of Drying: Reconditioning Treatement
Tree Identification: Bole/stem form is straight
Comments: General finishing qualities are rated as good
Blunting Effect: Slight dulling effect on cutting tools
Boring: Very good to excellent results
Carving: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Cutting Resistance: Easy to saw
Gluing: Satisfactory gluing properties
Mortising: Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Moulding: Very Good to Excellent
Movement in Service: Very Good to Excellent
Nailing: Tends to split during nailing, Very Good to Excellent
Planing: Yields clean surfaces
Resistance to Impregnation: Sapwood is permeable
Resistance to Splitting: Poor
Response to hand tools: Responds well to hand tools
Routing recessing: Routing yields good results
Sanding: Good sanding finish
Veneering qualities: Suitable for slicing, Suitable for veneers
Steam bending: Poor
Screwing: Screwing yields good results, Very Good to Excellent Results; Turning: Very Good to Excellent Results
Painting: Good; Polishing: Very Good to Excellent; Staining: Stains well;
- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
 |
 |
 |
 |
Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
Specific Gravity |
0,37 |
0,43 |
|
Density |
|
544 |
kg/m3 |
Bending Strength |
482 |
732 |
kg/cm2 |
Crushing Strength |
234 |
387 |
kg/cm2 |
Hardness |
|
331 |
kg |
Impact Strength |
|
38 |
cm |
Shearing Strength |
|
87 |
kg/cm2 |
Stiffness |
73 |
89 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
Tangential Shrinkage |
5 |
|
% |
Radial Shrinkage |
4 |
|
% |
Weight |
528 |
416 |
kg/m3 |
Maximum Load |
0,56 |
0,63 |
cm-kg/cm3 |
Toughness |
|
|
cm-kg |
Static Bending |
|
|
kg/cm2 |
|
 |  |  |  | Item | Green | Dry | English | Bending Strength | 6859 | 10414 | psi | Density | | 34 | lbs/ft3 | Hardness | | 731 | lbs | Impact Strength | | 15 | inches | Maximum Crushing Strength | 3331 | 5506 | psi | Shearing Strength | | 1246 | psi | Stiffness | 1042 | 1268 | 1000 psi | Work to Maximum Load | 8 | 9 | inch-lbs/in3 | Specific Gravity | 0.37 | 0.43 | | Weight | 33 | 26 | lbs/ft3 | Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % | Tangential Shrinkage | 5 | | % | Volumetric Shrinkage | 11 | | % | |
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. 0 Max. crushing strength = medium 0 Bending strength (MOR) = low 0 Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low 0 Shrinkage, Tangential = small 1 Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low 1 Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low 1 Hardness (side grain) = soft 1 Bending strength (MOR) = medium 1 Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Hardness (side grain) = hard
Strength properties of the timber are sometimes reduced considerably by the presence of brittleheart. The wood is weak and is rarely used in applications where strength is of major concern
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]Banks, C.H.,1970,The Durability of South African Wood and Wood Base Building Materials,South African Forestry Journal,No.75Bios et Forets des Tropiques,1974,Limba - Frake (Terminalia superba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.158 pp33-49Bois et Forets des Tropiques,1949,Limbo (Terminalia superba,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.9,pp63-6Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building ResearchBolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. AustraliaBrown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse UniversityBrown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World No.1 Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet SeriesChalk, L.,1933,Twenty West African Timber Trees,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire,Part 2Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.Clifford, N.,1953,Commercial Hardwoods - Their Characteristics Identification and,Utilization,Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd. LondonCooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes RisboroughCrossley, N., Ogunle, O.A.,1964,Studies on the Suitability of Nigeria Raw Materials for Paper-making 7,Fed. Inst. Ind. Res. Nigeria Research Note, No.26Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry DepartmentFarmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSOForest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products ResearchForest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1955,Kiln-Drying Schedules,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment Leaflet,No.42Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research EstablishmentFouarge, J., Gerard, G.,1964,Bois du Mayumbe,I.N.E.A.C. BelguimFouarge, J.,1950,Appropriation de Bois Congolais aux Besoins de la Metropole,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.38Fouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76France - C.T.F.T.,1959,Monographie du Limbo (Terminalia superba,C.T.F.T. Publ.,14France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12France - C.T.F.T.,1977,Promotion of African Timbers - New Species,CTFT,35 LeafletsFrance - Comite Nacional des Bois Coloniaux,1931,Etude Physique et Mecanique des Bois Coloniaux,Assoc. Colonies-Sciences & Comite National des Bios Coloniaux, Paris,,FranceGhana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing BoardGutierrez Oliva, A., Plaza Pulgar, F.,1967,Caracteristicas fisico-mecanicas de las maderas Espanolas. (Physical and,mechanical properties of Spanish timbers.,Min.Agric./Dir.Gen Montes/Instituto Forestral de Investigaciones,y,Experiencias, Madrid pp102Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32Hedin, L.,1930,Etude sur la Foret et les Bois du Cameroun,Haut-Commissaire de la CamerounHMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Lab., Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buck.Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished dataI.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer CuttingIrvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. LondonJay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet SeriesKeay, R.W.J.1989. Trees of Nigeria.Revised Version of Nigerian Trees . Clarendon Press, Oxford.Keay, R.W.J., et al,1960,Nigerian Trees Vol.1,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, IbadanKennedy, J.D.,1936,Forest Flora of Southern Nigeria,Government Printer LagosKinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold CoastKline, M. 1984. Terminalia superba - Limba. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page341.Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods LaboratoryKryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125Kunkel, G.,1965,The Trees of Liberia,German Forestry Mission to Liberia Report,No.3Lincoln, W.W. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co., Inc., Fresno, California.Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color: A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London.Nigeria - Federal Department of Forest Research,1965,Terminalia superba (Afara,Nigeria Federal Department Forest Research, Ibadan, Report No.1,pp1-12Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEECPatterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical PressRendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. LondonRevue des Bois et de ses Applications,1955,Limbo (Terminalia superba,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,10(12, p38Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.TSallenave, P.,1964,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Premier Supplement,C.T.F.T. Publ.,no.23Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.Savill, P.S., Fox, J.E.D.,1967,Trees of Sierra LeoneScott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal]South African Lumber Millers Assoc.,1969,Notes on some Commercially Available Hardwoods,S.A.L.M.A. Timber Info. Centre Timber Technical Guide,No.1Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1959,Survey of Africa Woods 4,Tropical Woods 17(110) pp42-115Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7Taylor, C.J.,1960,Synecology and Silviculture in Ghana,University College of Ghana Thomas Nelson and SonsTimber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.Timber Development Association,1948,Some New Timbers and Their Uses No. 34,Timber Development Association Limited, London [TRADA]Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd editionU.S.D.A. Forest Service,1952,Foreign Woods Imported into the U.S.,F.P.L. Madison Rep., No. R1903-12U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72Unwin, A.H.,1920,West African Forests and Forestry,T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. LondonVoorhoeve, A.G.,1965,Liberian High Forest Trees,Centre for Agric. Publishing and Documentation, WageningenWood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13
|