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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Beilschmiedia kweo Trade Name Mfimbo Family Name Lauraceae Synonyms Tylostemon kweo Common Names Mfimbo, Mkanta, Mkweo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Tanzania Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Joinery, Light construction, Mine timbers, Paneling, Piling, Plywood, Sporting Goods, Toys, Turnery, Veneer Heartwood Color Red Brown Pink Purple Green/grey Greenish to greyish Brown Sapwood Color White Red Yellow Pink White to yellow Grain Figure Straight Even Crossed Weak (figure) Stripe (figure) Spiral Straight Weak figure Striped figure Spiral Texture Coarse Medium Medium Natural Durability Susceptible to insect attack Very durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Durable Moderately durable Non-resistant to termites Resistant to termites Moderately durable Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Durable Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=E US=T6D2/T341 Fr=5 Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow Drying Defects Resin Exudation Moderate end spitting Moderate surface checking Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Gum Exudation Slowly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries slowly Slow (18-28 days for boards < 32 mm, to 52-84 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is not buttressed Tree Size Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Bole length is 10-20 m Product Sources Most of the Pau marfim harvested is used locally, but adequate quantities are available for consumption elsewhere. It is sold at moderate prices on the N. American market in comparison to other imported hardwoods. The price is, however, higher than maple and birch. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Mortising Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finishes well Finishes satisfactorily Moulding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory moulding results Good finishing results Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Stable Medium Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Planing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Planes to a satisfactory finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is moderately resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Sanding Good sanding finish Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Finish is generally satisfactory Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Varnishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Strength Properties Shrinkage, Radial = very small Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6111 9589 psi Density 41 lbs/ft3 Hardness 995 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 3472 5777 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1358 1568 1000 psi Toughness 167 inch-lbs Weight 40 32 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 6 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 429 674 kg/cm2 Density 657 kg/m3 Hardness 451 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 244 406 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 95 110 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 192 cm-kg Weight 641 512 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % References Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi. Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7 Tanzania - Timber Marketing Co. Ltd.,1978,Timber from Tanzania Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tanzania Forestry Department,1961,Timbers of Tanganyika -Beilschmiedia kweo (mfimbo,Tanzania Forestry Department, Utilisation Section, Moshi - Timbers of,Tanganyika