WENGE

Family : FABACEAE
Scientific name : MILLETTIA LAURENTII / STUHLMANNII

WOOD DESCRIPTION

  • Reference colour: dark brown
  • Sapwood: quite distinct
  • Grain: coarse
  • Grain: straight
  • Counter-thread: absent
  • Sometimes soft heart and mulotage.

Wood yellow when fresh, turning dark brown to black brown in the light. Alternating light and dark stripes.

PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

These properties can vary significantly depending on the origin and growing conditions of the wood.

  • Density*: 0.87
  • Monnin* hardness: 9.1
  • Volume shrinkage coefficient: 0.69
  • `Stability in service: moderately stable
  • Total radial shrinkage: 5.9
  • Fibre saturation point: 22
  • Total tangential shrinkage: 9.1
    (*: 12% moisture content)
  • Hard to very hard wood

NATURAL DURABILITY AND IMPREGNABILITY OF WOOD

  • Fungi: class 2 – durable
  • Dry wood insects: durable; sapwood distinct (risk limited to sapwood)
  • Termites: class D – durable
  • Impregnability: 4 – not impregnable
  • Biological risk class: 4 – in contact with soil or fresh water

SAWING AND MACHINING

  • Sharpening effect: fairly high
  • Sawing teeth: stellite-tipped teeth
  • Machining tools: tungsten carbide
  • Requires power. Difficult to polish. Preferably apply a waxed finish.

ASSEMBLY

  • Nailing – Screwing: good hold, pilot holes required
  • Gluing: poor

Risk of splitting when nailing. Gluing is difficult and the wood can stain.

END-USES

  • wooden floor
  • furniture
  • interior and exterior joinery
  • panelling
  • carving
  • turned items

Main known uses to be validated by application in accordance with the rules of the trade.
Important note: some uses are mentioned for information only.

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