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Blunting Effect
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 Schedules
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
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
Turning
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Synonyms
Copaifera arnoldiana, Copaifera ehie
Common Names
Benge, Benzi, Bubinga, Essingang, Kerazingo, Kevasingo, Kevazingo, Kouan, Libenge, M'benge, M'Penze, Mbenge, Mutenye, Non-eyen, Ntene, Olive walnut, Oliver walnut, Ovang, Tropical oliver, Waka
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution
[VIEW MAP]
Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Nigeria, South Africa, Zaire
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bent Parts, Billiard-cue butts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boxes and crates, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Poles, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Stools, Sub-flooring, Tables , Turnery, Utility furniture, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative, Wardrobes
Environmental Profile
| Not threatened |
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| Globally secure |
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| Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center |
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Distribution Overview
West Central Africa, particularly Zaire.
Heartwood Color
| Tan |
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| Pale brown |
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| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange |
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| Yellowish brown |
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| Brown |
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The heartwood is pale yellowish brown to medium brown with a reddish cast and gray-black stripes. The color is similar to European walnut.
Sapwood Color
| White to yellow |
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| Well defined |
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| Pale yellow |
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| Grey |
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| Different than heartwood |
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| Clearly differentiated from the heartwood |
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Grain
| Figure |
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| Distinct (figure) |
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| Wavy |
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| Interlocked |
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| Even |
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| Straight |
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| Closed |
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| Stripe (figure) |
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| Wavy |
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| Interlocked |
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| Distinct and very fine figure |
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| Straight |
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| Striped figure |
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| Distinct figure |
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Combination of grain and black veining gives the wood a very attractive appearance
Texture
| Fine |
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| Medium |
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| Fine |
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| Fine to medium |
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Texture is described as fine and very dense
Natural Durability
| Moderately durable |
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| Durable |
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| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles |
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| Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack |
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| Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) |
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| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles |
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| Susceptible to attack by pinhole borers |
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| Somewhat susceptible to attack by termites |
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| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) |
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| Resistant to attack from marine borers |
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| Resistant to attack by marine borers |
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| Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present |
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| Non durable |
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Muntenye is readily attacked by pinhole borers, and is moderately susceptible to termites, but it is rarely attacked by marine borers. The timber is reported to resist the harmful effects of the weather rather well.
Odor
| No specific smell or taste |
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Kiln Schedules
| UK=C US=T3C2/T3C1 Fr=3 |
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| Dry at a slow speed |
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| T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US |
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Drying Defects
| Moderate twist/warp |
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| Moderate surface checking |
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Gum pockets may exude gum if the wood is dried at high temperatures.
Ease of Drying
Drying requires care since the wood has high shrinkage. Slow kiln-drying has been recommended
Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
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Product Sources
The genus, which is native to Africa, supplys four fairly well known timbers which are considerably different in color, despite their close botanical kinship.
Mutenye is one of several important species contributed to international trade by Guibourtia. It is not as plentiful compared to other Guibourtia species, and the price is moderate for an imported species.
The ITTO reports that timber from this species is produced in low quantities but frequently and exported in low volumes.
Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Mutenye has been described as a poor man's rosewood. Its density is reported to be in the same range as the softer Brazilian softwoods, while its texture is closer to Honduras rosewood.
Blunting Effect
| Blunting effect on machining is severe |
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| Blunting effect on machining is fairly severe |
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Cutting Resistance
| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
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| Low cutting resistance |
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Gluing
The wood has fairly good gluing properties. Gum cells occasionally affect gluing qualities
Moulding
| For best results use a reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees |
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Movement in Service
Dimensional stability after drying is moderate, and the timber tends to exhibit medium movement in use.
Nailing
| Good nailing qualities |
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| Difficult to nail |
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Planing
| Difficult to plane |
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| Good response to both hand and machine tools |
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The material works well with both hand and machine tools in planing, turning, mortising, and most woodworking operations, despite its hardness and density. Interlocked or wavy grain material may be difficult to work.
Resistance to Impregnation
| Heartwood is resistant |
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| Sapwood is moderately resistant |
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| Heartwood responds poorly to preservative treatment |
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Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to machine |
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| Responds fairly well to hand tools |
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| Moderate working qualities |
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Sanding
Screwing
Turning
The wood is fine-textured which suggests good turning properties, but there is a high risk of chipping because of interlocked and wavy grain
Steam Bending
Steam bending qualities are rated as moderate since the wood has a tendency to distort. There may also be some gum exudation.
Polishing
| Satisfactory results |
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| Excellent results |
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The wood takes an excellent polish, with some care.
Staining
Strength Properties
| Max. crushing strength = high |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = high |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = moderate |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium |
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| Hardness (side grain) = hard |
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| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = medium |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large |
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| Hardness (side grain) = medium |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = moderate |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = fairly large |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = large |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = small |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high |
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| Max. crushing strength = very high |
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| Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = very high |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = small |
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| Shrinkage, Volumetric = large |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = small |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low |
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Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
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| Bending Strength | 13357 | 20492 | psi |
| Crushing Strength | | 1529 | psi |
| Density | | 49 | lbs/ft3 |
| Hardness | | 1983 | lbs |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 7683 | 10303 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | | 2080 | psi |
| Static Bending | | 11505 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1887 | 2167 | 1000 psi |
| Toughness | | 509 | inch-lbs |
| Specific Gravity | | 0.69 | |
| Weight | 51 | 48 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | | % |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 12 | | % |
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| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
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| Bending Strength | 939 | 1440 | kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength | | 107 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | | 785 | kg/m3 |
| Hardness | | 899 | kg |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 540 | 724 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | | 146 | kg/cm2 |
| Static Bending | | 808 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 132 | 152 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Toughness | | 586 | cm-kg |
| Specific Gravity | | 0.69 | |
| Weight | 817 | 769 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 9 | | % |
References
Arno, J. 1989. Guibourtia arnoldiana - Benge. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World, Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine.
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.
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
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
France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12
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.
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.
Jay, B.A.,1968,Timbers of West Africa,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125
Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.
Monterio, R.R., Pimenta de Franca, O.F.,1965,Tres Especies Florestais de Angola,Bol. Inst. Invest. Cientifica de Angola Reprint (Luanda, 2(2,pp209-18
Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London
Sallenave, P.,1971,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux (Deuxieme,Supplement,C.T.F.T.
Scott, M.H.,1950,Notes on the more Important African Timbers Imported into the Union with,Special Ref. to Port. E.A. Species,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No.19,pp18-62,[South,African Forestry Journal]
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
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