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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Abrasion
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Silica Content
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Cynometra alexandri

Trade Name
Muhimbi

Family Name
Leguminosae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Angu, Baira, Bapa, Bosengere, Kahimbi, Kampiniungu, Lukuanga, Mbombele, Mubale, Mubangu, Mubindi, Mudindi, Muhimbi, Muhindi, Mupombe, Tembwe, Uganda ironwood, Utuna

Regions of Distribution
Africa

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Central African Republic, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Barge fenders, Beams, Bedroom suites, Boards, Boat building (general), Boat building, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Crossties, Decks, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Docks, Dockwork, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Dressed boards, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Harbor work, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders , Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Lumber, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Piling, Plywood corestock, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Shade rollers, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Wharf construction

Environmental Profile
Rare
Status has not been officially assessed
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center


Distribution Overview
Central and East Africa, usually representing a somewhat dry type of forest, but not uncommon as a constituent of forest swamps, normally gregarious.

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Pink
Purple
Reddish brown
Pale brown
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Red
Pale red to pink
Initially pink brown
Dark brown
Brown


Sapwood Color
Green/Grey
White
Clearly differentiated from the heartwood
Paler than heartwood
White to yellow
Straw colored to grayish-white

Turns pale yellow upon exposure. Average width is about 2 to 3 inches (5.0 to 7.5 cm)

Grain
Interlocked
Figure
Distinct (figure)
Straight
Even
Mottle

Interlocked
Distinct figure
Straight
Mottled or streaked figure sometimes

The wood usually exhibits a silvery figure.

Texture
Medium
Fine
Fine


Luster
Medium
High
High
Dull


Natural Durability
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-resistant to termites
Perishable
Non-resistant to marine borers
Moderately durable
Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Durable
Very durable
Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Pinworm (ambrosia beetle) attack may be present in the standing tree
Felled logs are not resistant to attack by Pinworm (ambrosia beetle)
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Moderately durable

Natural resistance of heartwood to decay varies from average to very high. The wood is highly resistant to termites in East Africa. It is occasionally attacked by pinhole borers and longhorn beetles, but is immune to attack by Lyctus species.

Odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
High
Siliceous


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
UK=B US=T2C2/T2C1 Fr=2
T2 - C2 (4/4); T2 - C1 (8/4) US
Schedule B (4/4) United Kingdom
Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rather slow


Drying Defects
Distortion
Checking
Moderate end spitting
Moderate surface checking
Severe surface checking
Severe end splitting
Moderate twist/warp
Slight twist/warp
Severe twisting/warping
End splitting

The material may surface-check, and existing shakes may extend. There is also a slight risk of distortion

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Reconditioning Treatement
Tangenital shrinkage from 4-7%
Requires slow and careful seasoning to prevent degrade.
Radial shrinkage 0-3%
Dries slowly
Difficult


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly
Very slow (>28 days for boards < 32 mm, to >84 days for boards >= 63 mm)


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is not buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is misshapen
Bole/stem form is cylindrical


Tree Size
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bark width is 15-20 mm
Tree height is 20-30 m


With a bole that is seldom longer than 40 feet (12 m)

Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in negligible quantities and exported only occasionally.

Comments
Deposits - An occasional white, chalky deposits are present near scar tissues which are usually found along the grain

General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Moderate
High to severe
Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe
Blunting effect on machining is severe
Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe

Tungsten-Tipped cutters have been recommended

Boring
Fairly difficult to very difficult
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy
Difficult

All drills cause some burning, and deposition of gum is troublesome. Two-wing twist flutes are most suitable for boring the wood.

Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges
Fairly difficult to carve


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult
Wood exhibits tendency to burn during narrow bandsawing
Difficult to saw

It exerts severe blunting effect on cutters, and build-up of resin on saw teeth is very common. Plate saws, two gauges thicker than standard, are recommended to avoid tooth vibration

Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Moderate gluing properties
Easy to glue
Difficult to glue


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Difficult to mortise
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges
Difficult to mould

Use of a French head produces the least tearing, but feeding effort is high

Movement in Service
Medium
Stability is rated as medium
Shape retention after manufacture is usually good


Nailing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Difficult to nail
Pre-Boring is necessary
Holds nails well


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Difficult to plane
Planes well, to a good finish

A cutting angle of 15 degrees is recommended to prevent tearing and to obtain a good finish. Cutting edges must be kept sharp to counteract the blunting effect of the wood, and to keep the timber from riding on cutters.

Resistance to Abrasion
Highly resistant to wear
Good for flooring


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Heartwood is very resistant

The heartwood varies from moderately resistant to resistant to impregnation

Resistance to Splitting
Very Poor


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Difficult to machine
Moderate working qualities
Moderate blunting effect on cutting edges
Easy to machine


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Routing is difficult


Sanding
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Easy to turn
Good results


Veneering Qualities
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Diifficult to veneer


Steam Bending
Moderate
Good


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Good results


Staining
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Finish is generally satisfactory
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Strength Properties
Bending strength (MOR) = high
Max. crushing strength = high
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu.ft.
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangenital =moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = very hard
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shearing strength (paralell to grain) = very high
Max. crushing strength = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate
Shrinkage, Volumetric = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Hardness = medium
Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = very high

The species has very high bending strength, and is much stronger than Teak in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content). It has superior properties in compression parallel to grain in the air-dry condition than Teak, White oak, or Hard maple. It is hard - harder than Hard maple or Teak. It is quite resistant to denting. It is a very heavy wood. The wood is very dense.

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1340819847psi
Crushing Strength2195psi
Density55lbs/ft3
Hardness2551lbs
Impact Strength4341inches
Maximum Crushing Strength67569699psi
Shearing Strength2579psi
Static Bending10339psi
Stiffness175322751000 psi
Toughness379inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load1123inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.660.84
Weight5453lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage13%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength9421395kg/cm2
Crushing Strength154kg/cm2
Density881kg/m3
Hardness1157kg
Impact Strength109104cm
Maximum Crushing Strength475681kg/cm2
Shearing Strength181kg/cm2
Static Bending726kg/cm2
Stiffness1231591000 kg/cm2
Toughness436cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.771.61cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.660.84
Weight865849kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Antoine, R.C., Berben, J.C.,1958,Le debit des bois a la scie a ruban - 3. Etude du sciage (4 spp.,I.N.E.A.C. Belguim Serie technique,No. 53

Armstrong, F.H.,1951,Resistance to wear of Muhimbi (Cynometra alexandri,Wood,16(4, pp130-1

Banks, C.H. and J.P. Schoeman. 1963. Railway Sleeper and Crossing Timbers. Bulletin No. 41, Republic of South Africa. The Government Printer, Pretoria, South Africa.

Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48

Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]

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

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Eggeling, W.J., Harris, C.M.,1939,Fifteen Uganda Timbers,Forest Trees and Timbers of the British Empire, Imperial Forestry,Institute, Oxford,Part 4

Eggeling, W.J.,1940,Indigenous Trees of Uganda,Govt. Printer Entebbe Uganda

Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1954,Hardwoods for Industrial Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet, No.48

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada

Fouarge, J.,1970,Essais Physiques,Mecaniques et de Durabilite de Bois de la Republique,Democratique du Congo,I.N.E.A.C. Belgium Serie Technique,No.76

HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R. H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

ITTO. 1986. Tropical Timber Atlas, Volume 1 - Africa. International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Centre Technique Forestier Tropical (CTFT, 45bis, Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle, Nogent-sur-Marne Cedex, France.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. (Green values only)

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Lebacq, L., Dechamps, R.,1967,Contribution a un Inventaire de Forets du Nord-kasai,Musee Royal de L'Afrique Centrale Belgium Annals Series 8 No.5

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Organisation for European Economic Co-operation,1951,African Tropical Timber (Nomenclature, Description,OEEC

Patterson, D.N.,1963,The strength of Kenya timbers, their derivation and application,Kenya Forestry Department Research Bulletin,No.23

Pieters, A.,1977,Essences Forestieres du Zaire,R.U.G. Gent Belguim

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of Africa Woods 2,Tropical Woods 16(106) pp65-97

Spalt, H.A., Stern, W.L.,1956,Survey of African woods 1,Tropical Woods,115(105,pp 13-38

Tack, C.H.,1969,Uganda Timbers,Govt. Printer Uganda

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 Forest Department,1961,Timbers of Tanganyika - Brachystegia spiciformis,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Sec. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganyika

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Timber Information Assoc. Ltd.,1947,Notes on East African Timbers,TRADA, Timber Information, No.28

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

Uganda Forest Department,1954,Flooring Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.17

Uganda Forest Department,1954,Muhimbi (Cynometra alexandri,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.4

Uganda Forest Department,1954,The Mechanical Properties of some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forest Department Timber Leaflet,No.1

Uganda Forest Department,1969,The Shrinkage of Some Ugandan Timbers,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.47









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