Assumed, Wood Working Properties & Specifications

Diospyros spp.

African Ebony

Family: Ebenaceae

Other Common Names: Mgiriti, Msindi (Tanzania), Omenowa (Ghana), Kanran, Nyareti (Nigeria), Kukuo (Gambia).

Distribution: Commercial supplies are mostly from Equatorial West Africa. Forms almost pure groups near riverbanks.

The Tree: May attain a height of 50 to 60 ft with a trunk diameter of about 2 ft.

The Wood:

General Characteristics: Heartwood uniform jet black or black brown or streaked; sapwood pink colored when freshly cut, darkening to a pale red brown, very variable in width. Texture very fine; grain straight to slightly interlocked or somewhat curly. Sawdust may cause dermatitis.

Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) about 0.82; air-dry density 63 pcf.

Mechanical Properties: (2-cm standard)

Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum crushing strength

(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)

12% (9) 27,400 2,560 13,350

12% (44) 21,200 NA 9,350

Janka side hardness 3,220 lb for dry material. Amsler toughness 280 in.-lb for dry material (2-cm specimen).

Drying and Shrinkage: in small dimensions dries fairly rapidly with little tendency to check or warp, may split in log form. Kiln schedule T6-D2 is suggested for 4/4 stock and T3-D1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to 12% moisture content: radial about 5.5%; tangential about 6.5%.

Working Properties: Heartwood difficult to work with hand and machine tools, has a pronounced dulling effect on tool edges, may pick up in planing if grain is irregular, takes an excellent polish. Good steam-bending properties.

Durability: Heartwood rated as very durable, moderately to highly resistant to termite attack.

Preservation: Heartwood extremely resistant; sapwood moderately resistant to permeable.

Uses: Parts of musical instruments, handles for cutlery and tools, brush backs, carvings, turnery, inlaid work.

 

 

 

 

 

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