Detailed Specs: Ekki-Azobe
Scientific Name: Lophira alata
Family: Ochnaceae
Other Names: Bongossi, Bakunda (Cameroon), Kaku (Ghana), Escore (Ivory Coast), Aba (Nigeria), Endwi (Sierra Leone)
The Tree
Grows up to 160 feet in height with a long clear bole of 100 feet. The trunk’s diameter range from 5-6 feet without buttresses but lower portion of the bole are sometimes swollen.
The Wood
General Characteristics: The heartwood ranging from dark red, chocolate brown or purple brown with conspicuous white vessels. The sapwood up to 2 inches wide, pale pink and well defined. Its texture is coarse, the grain is usually interlocked and luster is low with no particular odor or taste.
(Click image for spec sheet PDF)
Weight: Basic specific gravity (oven dry/green volume) about 0.09; air density 70 pcf.
Drying and Shrinkage: Very difficult to season without excessive degrade, particularly surface and end checking, also dries slowly. Kiln schedule T2-C2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T2-C1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 8.4%; Tangential 11.0% volumetric 17.0. Movement in service is rated medium.
Working Properties: It is very difficult to work with hand and machine tools; severe blunting effect is machined when dry. It can be dressed to a smooth finish and gluing properties are usually good.
Mechanical Properties: (2-cm standard)
|
Moisture |
Bending Strength (psi) |
Modules of Elasticity (1000 psi) |
Maximum Crushing Strength (psi) |
| Green (9)
12% Green (42) 12% 12% |
17,800
25,800
33,200 |
2,010
2,450
3,180 |
9,920 13,120 15,200 |
Janka hardness 2900 lbs. for green material and 3350 lbs. for dried. Amsler toughness 625 in-lb 12% moisture content (2cm specimen)
Durability: Heartwood is rated as extremely resistant to preservative treatment and the sapwood is resistant.
Distribution: West Africa and extending into the Congo Basin; occurs in evergreen and moist deciduous forests, in fresh water swamp forests and close riverbanks.
Preservation: The heartwood is rated extremely resistant to preservative treatments and the sapwood is resistant.
Uses: Suited for heavy durable construction work, harbor work, heavy duty flooring, parquet flooring and railroad cross ties.
References
– Chundnoff, Martin (1984), “Tropical Timbers of the World.” USDA Forest Service Ag. Handbook No.607.
