
African blackwood (Erythrophleum africanum)
Family: Leguminosae
Common names: African blackwood, Bupunga, Elagji, Goro-meli, Kasuko, Kayimbi, Missanda, Mkarati, Mukoso, Mukuso, Munyunya, Mushati, Muwako, Ordeal tree, Prekese, Samberu, Sise, Sungwoi, Umbako, Umsenya, Umsenyo
Distributed in: Angola, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe (Africa)
Common uses: Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Carvings, Charcoal, Flooring, Fuelwood, Furniture, Heavy construction, Joinery, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Paneling, Posts, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Wheel spokes, Wheels
Tree size: Tree height is 40-50 m
Colors: the heart isRed, Reddish brownand the sapwoodWhite to yellow, Yellow.The grain isStraight, the textureMediumand the lusterMedium
Natural durability: Very durable, Very durable
Silica Content: Siliceous
LightInduced Color Change: None
Kiln Schedules: Dry at a slow speed
Kiln Drying Rate: Naturally dries quickly
Drying Defects: Distortion, Splitting
Ease of Drying: Slowly
Blunting Effect: High to severe
Cutting Resistance: Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Gluing: Easy to glue
Nailing: Difficult to nail, Possible if prebored
Planing: Planes well, to a good finish
Resistance to Impregnation: Heartwood is highly resistant
Response to hand tools: Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Turning: Easy to turn
Polishing: Very Good to Excellent; Varnishing: Good;
- Numerical data Metric
- Numerical data English
- Strength properties
- References
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 |
 |
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| Item |
Green |
Dry |
Metric |
| Specific Gravity |
|
|
|
| Density |
|
929 |
kg/m3 |
| Bending Strength |
972 |
1446 |
kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength |
626 |
862 |
kg/cm2 |
| Hardness |
|
1139 |
kg |
| Impact Strength |
|
101 |
cm |
| Shearing Strength |
|
184 |
kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness |
143 |
165 |
1000 kg/cm2 |
| Tangential Shrinkage |
|
|
% |
| Radial Shrinkage |
5 |
|
% |
| Weight |
913 |
817 |
kg/m3 |
| Maximum Load |
0,84 |
1,19 |
cm-kg/cm3 |
| Toughness |
|
288 |
cm-kg |
| Static Bending |
|
|
kg/cm2 |
|
 |  |  |  | | Item | Green | Dry | English | | Bending Strength | 13830 | 20576 | psi | | Density | | 58 | lbs/ft3 | | Hardness | | 2513 | lbs | | Impact Strength | | 40 | inches | | Maximum Crushing Strength | 8908 | 12273 | psi | | Shearing Strength | | 2630 | psi | | Stiffness | 2041 | 2352 | 1000 psi | | Toughness | | 250 | inch-lbs | | Work to Maximum Load | 12 | 17 | inch-lbs/in3 | | Weight | 57 | 51 | lbs/ft3 | | Radial Shrinkage | 5 | | % | | Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | | % | |
Max. crushing strength = very high Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu.ft Bending strength (MOR) = high Hardness (side grain) = hard Bending strength (MOR) = very high Work to maximum Load = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = low Toughness (total work) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 67-75 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45Banks, 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]Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building ResearchFanshawe, D.B.,1962,Fifty Common Trees of Northern Rhodesia,Natural Resources Board and Forestry Department, NdolaGoldsmith, B., Carter, D.T.,1981,The Indigenous Timbers of Zimbabwe,Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Research Bulletin No.9Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. LondonKeay, R.W.J.,1964,Nigerian Trees Vol.2,Nigeria Federal Department of Forest Research, IbadanLavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.Pardy, A.A.,1955,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia - Erythophleum,africanum,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1851Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7Tanzania Forest Department,1960,The Natural Durability of Local Timbers,Tanzanian Forest Dept. Tech. Note,No.14White, F.,1962,Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia,O.U.P. London
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