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| Wood Information |
| African Padauk Pterocarpus soyauxii, Family: Leguminosae Other Common Names: Mbe, Mbil (Cameroon), Ngula, Bosulu (Zaire). Distribution: The genus Pterocarpus is reported to occur throughout the tropical regions of the world. Pterocarpus soyauxii is reported to be found in Central and tropical West Africa, extending from south-western Nigeria to Zaire. It often grows in small groups and is reported to be common in dense equatorial rain forests. Tree: Reaches a height of 100 to 130 ft, bole straight, cylindrical, and clear to 70 ft; trunk diameters 2 to 4 ft, sometimes to 5 ft. Wood: Heartwood vivid red when freshly cut darkening to a purple brown on exposure; sapwood 4 to 8 in. wide, whitish to brown yellow, distinct. The sapwood is white when freshly cut, but turns to brownish yellow or gray upon exposure. Texture coarse; grain straight to interlocked; lustrous; faint aromatic scent when freshly cut. Sawdust may cause respiratory problems. Working Properties: Saws well but requires slow feed, easy to machine but with some tearing of interlocked grain, takes a good finish, glues easily and holds nails and screws satisfactorily. Durability: Heartwood is very durable and very resistant to termite attack. Excellent weathering properties. Uses: Fine joinery, fancy turnery, carvings, flooring, decorative veneer, tool and knife handles. Strength Properties: Strength properties are rated as generally high. Bending and crushing strengths in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) are high. Stiffness strength is comparable to that of Oak (Quercus ), and shock resistance is reported to be similar to that of Ash (Fraxinus ). African padauk also resists dents well. It is a heavy wood. |
Harding Pens and Woodturnings
| Wood Information |
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