Exotic Woods Trading

BOTANICAL NAMES

Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis

 

FAMILY

Member of the Meliacae family

 

COMMERCIAL NAMES

Mahogany, African Mahogany

 

NATIVE NAMES

Acajou d'Afrique

 

SPECIES APPLICATIONS/ USES

HIGH CLASS FURNITURE – FURNITURE COMPONENTS – SLICED VENEER – INTERIOR PANELLING – SHIP BUILDING – PLYWOOD – TURNED GOODS - MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANGE

It is present throughout the equatorial forest in west tropical Africa.

 

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

African Mahogany's is pink when freshly cut, darkening to a reddish-brown, with pale goldern-brown zones, on exposure. The sapwood is yellowish-brown in color and is up to 2 in. (51mm) in width and it is not always distinctly demarcated from the heartwood. The grain is sometimes straight, but generally interlocked, giving a characteristic stripe figure in quarter sawn stock. The texture is medium to coarse, but even. It has no distinct taste or odor. The planed surface is lustrous. Growth rings fairly distinct to the naked eye due to the presence of terminal parenchyma. Durable; resistant to fungal and insect attack.

 

DRYING

It generally air dries and kiln dries easily with little degrade, but some warping may occur due to the presence of interlocked grain.

 

SPECIFIC WEIGHT

With a moisture content of 12%, specific weight with an average of 570 kg per cubic meter.

 

PRINCIPAL USES AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

The timber works fairly easily with both hand and machine tools. A reduction in the cutting angle to 15 degrees is advisable to avoid picking up in machine planing, especially when the timber has interlocked grain. Nails well, slightly resistant to screws. Glues well. Takes a high polish. Tearout can sometimes be a problem if the grain is interlocked.