Exotic Woods Trading

BOTANICAL NAMES

Entandrophragma utile

 

FAMILY

Member of the Meliaceae family

 

COMMERCIAL NAMES

Sipo – Italy
Assie – Belgium
Utile – England
Acajou Sipo – France

 

NATIVE NAMES

M’Vovo, black Tshimaje – Rep. Congo
Mebrou Zuiri – Ivory Coast
Assi, Kosi Kosi – Gabon
Utile – Ghana
Timbi, Assang-assie – Cameroon
Akug, Okeang, Utile – Nigeria

 

SPECIES APPLICATIONS/ USES

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOORS – FURNITURE – WINDOWS – CABINET MAKING – PANELS – VENEER – STAIRS – JOINERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANGE

Common in tropical Africa: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Liberia, Gabon and Uganda.

 

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The wood is not very hard and thus is not very heavy. It has a fine but irregular texture which, in the radial sections creates a distinctive striping with various degrees of sheen produced by the multiple contractions of the grain as the tree grows. The species has good mechanical resistance, though it is fragile when struck. Also, because it has a good structure and makes very attractive furniture, it has undeniable value.

 

DRYING

Seasons perfectly, but the drying process must be carried out very carefully. It air dries rather slowly, and may be liable to splitting and distortion.

 

SPECIFIC WEIGHT

When sawn and air-dried, but protected under covered canopies, it weighs from 650 to 700 kg per cubic meter.

 

PRINCIPAL USES AND PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

Can be worked very well with all carpentry tools. Easy to saw, and can be planed to a perfect finish. When polished, it acquires a fine sheen that is highly esteemed in furniture finishing. Holds together well using all modern adhesives and glues. Nails and screws have a moderate hold when pulled. It can be sliced and peeled, and for this reason the furniture industry often uses it as a substitute for mahogany. Plywood factories also use it for exterior veneers.