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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 Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Light-Induced Color Change Movement in Service 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 Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Size Turning Scientific Name Diospyros kamerunensis Trade Name African ebony Family Name Ebenaceae Common Names African ebony, Cameroon ebony, Dib-bah, Dre-bah, Kake, Kema-osibin, Omenewa, Omenowa, Omera, Sefflay Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Carvings, Flooring, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery, Millwork, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: percussion, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Black Yellow White Brown Green/grey Orange Greenish to greyish Pale red to pink Pale brown Brown Sapwood Color Green/Grey Yellow White Pink Same as heartwood Pinkish Grain Even Figure Interlocked Straight Distinct (figure) Straight Interlocked Distinct and very fine figure Texture Fine Fine Natural Durability Very durable Resistant to termites Moderately durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Susceptible to marine borer attack Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Non durable Light-Induced Color Change None Toxicity Some toxic effects Unspecified toxicity Drying Defects Splitting Checking Distortion Slight end splitting Slight twist/warp Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries at a moderate speed Naturally dries slowly Tree Size Bole length is 10-20 m Bole length is 20-30 m Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect High to severe Moderate Blunting effect on machining is moderate Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Planing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Polishing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Satisfactory results Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 61-67 lbs/cu. ft Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Hardness (side grain) = very hard Hardness (side grain) = hard Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 13576 20956 psi Density 61 lbs/ft3 Hardness 2628 lbs Stiffness 1916 2208 1000 psi Weight 60 48 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 954 1473 kg/cm2 Density 977 kg/m3 Hardness 1192 kg Stiffness 134 155 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 961 769 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 6 % 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 Cooper, G.P., Record, S.J.,1931,The Evergreen Forests of Liberia,Yale School Forestry Bulletin,31,pp1-153 Ghana - Timber Marketing Board,1969,Ghana Hardwoods,Timber Marketing Board Irvine, F.R.,1961,Woody Plants of Ghana,O.U.P. London Kinloch, D., Miller, W.A.,1949,Gold Coast Timbers,Govt. Printer Gold Coast Kryn, J.M., Forbes, E.W.,1959,The Woods of Liberia,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture,Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Report No. 2159 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