Search for

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 Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Silica Content Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Microberlinia bisulcata Trade Name African zebrawood Family Name Caesalpiniaceae Common Names African zebrawood, Allen ele, Amouk, Izingana, Zebrano, Zingana Regions of Distribution Africa Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Common Uses Boat building (general), Cabinetmaking, Flooring, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Ladders, Light construction, Mine timbers, Paneling, Plywood, Railroad ties, Skis, Sporting Goods, Tool handles, Toys, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative Heartwood Color Brown Red Grey Pink Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Pale brown Brown Sapwood Color Pink White to yellow Well defined Pinkish Paler than heartwood Grain Closed Figure Interlocked Wavy Growth rings (figure) Distinct (figure) Interlocked Wavy Distinct figure Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Fine Very fine Coarse Luster High Medium Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Very durable Durable Non-resistant to powder post beetles Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Silica Content High Toxicity Some toxic effects Drying Defects Distortion Splitting Moderate surface checking Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Difficult Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 50-60 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as satisfactory Blunting Effect High to severe Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Gluing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Stable Nailing Pre-Boring Recommended Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Holds nails well Easy to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor planing finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good sanding finish Screwing Pre-boring recommended Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Easy to cut Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Polishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory results Good results Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = large Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Max. crushing strength = high Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Hardness (side grain) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = very high Bending strength (MOR) = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 14188 21340 psi Density 47 lbs/ft3 Hardness 1658 lbs Maximum Crushing Strength 6899 9945 psi Shearing Strength 1560 psi Stiffness 1665 1923 1000 psi Weight 46 37 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % Tangential Shrinkage 9 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 997 1500 kg/cm2 Density 753 kg/m3 Hardness 752 kg Maximum Crushing Strength 485 699 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 109 kg/cm2 Stiffness 117 135 1000 kg/cm2 Weight 737 592 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 5 % 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 Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department France - C.T.F.T.,1966,Bois Tropicaux,C.T.F.T. Publ.,12 France - C.T.F.T.,Recuil de Fiches Techniques,C.T.F.T. Hughes, J.F.,1971,The Principal Timber Trees of Cameroon,Unpublished data Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,1955,Zingana (Microberlinia brazzavillensis and M. bisulcata,Revue des Bois et de ses Applications,10(11, p29 Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T 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