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Blunting Effect Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Scientific Name Diospyros crassiflora Trade Name Abokpo Family Name Ebenaceae Synonyms Diospyros evila Common Names Abokpo, African ebony, Afrikanishces ebenholz, Bingo, Black ebony, Cameroon ebony, Ebano, Ebene, Evila, Gaboon ebony, Igiedudu, Kanran, Kribi ebony, Mavini, Mevini, Nigerian ebony, Nyareti, Osibin, Uhu-abokpo Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Benin, Central African Republic, Gabon, Nigeria, Zaire Common Uses Agricultural implements, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boxes and crates, Brush backs & handles, Carvings, Flooring, Furniture, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: piano, Musical instruments: strings, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Dark brown Black Sapwood Color Well defined Different than heartwood Grain Even Interlocked Straight Straight Interlocked Texture Fine Fine Natural Durability Perishable Resistant to termites Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Durable Very durable Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Toxicity Some toxic effects Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Drying (speed) is fast Drying Defects Splitting Slight end splitting Ease of Drying Easy Tree Identification Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is buttressed Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Moderate Blunting effect on machining is severe Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is severe Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Easy to nail Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Difficult to plane Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Difficult to machine Moderate working qualities Steam Bending Good Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Strength Properties Max. crushing strength = very high Bending strength (MOR) = very high Shrinkage, Radial = large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high Hardness (side grain) = very hard Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very high Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 17156 24794 psi Density 60 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2940 lbs Impact Strength 64 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 10035 13590 psi Shearing Strength 2847 psi Stiffness 2167 2494 1000 psi Weight 59 47 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 1206 1743 kg/cm2 Density 961 kg/m3 Hardness 1333 kg Impact Strength 162 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 705 955 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 200 kg/cm2 Stiffness 152 175 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 945 753 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % References Armstrong, F.H.,1960,The Strength Properties of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, London Bulletin,No.45 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. Cox, H.A.,1939,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough 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 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) Normand, D.,1960,Les Ebenes dans le Monde,Bois et Forets des Tropiques,No.72,pp15-22 Smith, J.,1948,Ebony in the Mamfe Division,Farm and Forest Nigerian Forester,9(1,pp28-32 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.