  
Utile (Entandrophragma utile)
Family: Meliaceae
Common names: Abebay, Afrobrodiju, Akuk, Asseng assie, Assi, Assie, Bokoi, Budongo heavy mahogany, Efuchyewee, Efuo-konkonti, Efuobrodidwo, Efuodwe, Feather sapele, Kalungi, Kosi-kosi, Liboyo, Libuyu, M'vovo, Mebrou, Mfumbi, Mufumbi, Mufumbi mahogany, Muyovu, Okeong, Sapele mahogany, Sipo, Timbi, Tshimaie n'shibu, Tsimaie tshibu, Undianuno, Utile
Distributed in: Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Zaire (Africa)
Distribution overview: Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Cd'Ivoire, DR Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda, in various lowland forest types.
Common uses: Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling , Paneling, Plywood, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stairrails, Stairworks, Stools, Stringers, Tables , Tables, Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wainscotting
Product sources: The ITTO reports that the species is an important and regular source of timber for export.
Environment profile: Status unknown in many of its growth areas
Tree size: Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Colors: the heart isReddish brown, Yellowand the sapwoodWhite, Yellow.The grain isWeak figure, the textureMedium to coarseand the lusterPronounced
Natural durability: Susceptible to marine borer attack, Very durable
Odor: Faint cedar-like scent
Kiln Schedules: Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow
Kiln Drying Rate: Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm)
Drying Defects: Slight twist/warp, Varies considerably
Ease of Drying: Variable results.
Tree Identification: Bole/stem form is straight
Comments: Effect on MetalsGeneral finishing qualities are rated as good The wood may cause corrosion in iron and materials with iron content.
Blunting Effect: Moderate
Boring: Poor to very poor results
Carving: Poor to Very Poor Results
Cutting Resistance: Low resistance
Gluing: Satisfactory gluing properties
Mortising: Poor to Very Poor
Moulding: Tends to tear where interlocked grain is present
Movement in Service: Tends to tear where interlocked grain is present
Nailing: Holds nails well, Very Good to Excellent
Planing: Very Good to Excellent
Resistance to Impregnation: Resistant sapwood
Response to hand tools: Responds well
Routing recessing: Poor to Very Poor Results
Sanding: Very good characteristics
Veneering qualities: Suitable for peeling, Suitable for slicing
Steam bending: Very poor
Screwing: Fairly Easy to Very Easy, Very Good to Excellent Results; Turning: Very Good to Excellent Results
Painting: Takes paint easily after pre-treatment
; Polishing: Very good; Staining: Stains well; Varnishing: Pre-treatment needed or recommended;
- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
| Specific Gravity |
0,49 |
0,62 |
|
| Density |
|
641 |
kg/m3 |
| Bending Strength |
753 |
1099 |
kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength |
392 |
575 |
kg/cm2 |
| Hardness |
|
500 |
kg |
| Impact Strength |
71 |
71 |
cm |
| Shearing Strength |
|
149 |
kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness |
100 |
113 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
| Tangential Shrinkage |
6 |
|
% |
| Radial Shrinkage |
4 |
|
% |
| Weight |
641 |
608 |
kg/m3 |
| Maximum Load |
0,56 |
0,77 |
cm-kg/cm3 |
| Toughness |
|
149 |
cm-kg |
| Static Bending |
|
|
kg/cm2 |
|
 |  |  |  | | Item | Green | Dry | English | | Bending Strength | 10715 | 15642 | psi | | Density | | 40 | lbs/ft3 | | Hardness | | 1104 | lbs | | Impact Strength | 28 | 28 | inches | | Maximum Crushing Strength | 5582 | 8184 | psi | | Shearing Strength | | 2127 | psi | | Stiffness | 1427 | 1610 | 1000 psi | | Toughness | | 130 | inch-lbs | | Work to Maximum Load | 8 | 11 | inch-lbs/in3 | | Specific Gravity | 0.49 | 0.62 | | | Weight | 40 | 38 | lbs/ft3 | | Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % | | Tangential Shrinkage | 6 | | % | | Volumetric Shrinkage | 11 | | % | |
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. 0 Bending strength (MOR) = medium 0 Hardness (side grain) = soft 0 Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low 0 Max. crushing strength = high 0 Max. crushing strength = medium 0 Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. 1 Shrinkage, Radial = moderate 0 Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Volumetric = small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness (total work) = very low Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Volumetric = large Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = low Bending strength (MOR) = very high
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