TRADE NAME : Azobe
SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lophira alata Banks
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION : The tree reaches a height of 50 m, with trunk diameters up to 150 cm. The bole is usually straight, clear and cylindrical up to 30 m long. Not buttressed, but sometimes it is swollen at the base.
NATURAL HABITAT :Lophira alata is a pioneer species and occurs abundantly in wet evergreen forest. It is reported to grow in evergreen and moist deciduous forests, freshwater swamp forests, and close to riverbanks. It is known or inferred that the harvesting of specimens
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION : West Africa.
PLANTATIONS AVAILABLE : It has been planted in Cote d"Ivoire since 1926; it is a long rotation species for plantation. The duration of the rotation is 50 years, to reach 60 cm in diameter.
GENERAL WOOD DESCRIPTION
- COLOR: The sapwood is pale pink, it has a thickness of 5 cm. The heartwood is dark red to purple-brown, white deposits in the pores, it is clearly demarcated.
- GRAIN: The grain is slightly but systematically interlocked; special care is needed when drying because of frequent risks of distortion.
- TEXTURE: The wood is mostly coarse in texture.
- NATURAL DURABILITY: Durable to decay; this species can be utilized without preservative treatment for exterior joinery or similar uses. Resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attacks.
- NATURAL DURABILITY INDEX (1= VERY HIGH DURABILITY,7=VERY LOW DURABILITY) 1
- INTERNAL GROWTH STRESSES: No residual stresses are reported in this species.
- SILICA CONTENT: Silica Content: Negligible content of silica is reported. Amounts over 0.050/s may affect wood processing. Silica Value: 0.03
- RESISTANCE TO IMPREGNATION: Nearly impossible to treat with a too much low penetration of the preservative substances.
WOOD PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
BASIC DENSITY OR SPECIFIC GRAVITY (O.D. WEIGHT/VOL. GREEN) (G/CM°)0.91
- AIR-DRY DENSITY (WEIGHT AND VOLUME AT 120/oM ) (G/CM°)1.06 TOTAL SHRINKAGE TANGENTIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)10.3 TOTAL SHRINKAGE RADIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)7.3
- DRYING DEFECTS: Ease of Drying: Drying is moderately easy; some particular care is needed. Drying Defects: Risks of distortions when interlocked grain is present. Kiln Schedules: The kiln schedule has been tested.
WOOD MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
- BENDINGSTRENGTH(MOR),120/oM (KGF/CM 21654 STIFFNES S(MOE)120/oM (KGF/CM 2)218336
- COMPRESSION PARALLE LTOFIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)975
- COMPRESSION PERPENDI CULARTOFIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)151
- SHEAR STRENGTH RADIAL 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)148 JANKA HARDNESS (SIDE) 120/oM (KGF)1429 JANKA HARDNESS (END GRAIN) 120/oM (KGF)1389
RECOMMENDED DRY KILN SCHEDULE FR-13
- DIMENSIONAL STABILITY RATIO (TOTAL TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE 0 TOTAL RADIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o)1.4
WOOD MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
- BENDINGSTRENGTH(MOR),120/oM (KGF/CM 2) 1654 STIFFNES S (MOE) 120/oM (KGF/CM 2) 218336
- COMPRESSION PARALLELT O FIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)975
- COMPRESSION PERPENDICULAR TO FIBER 120 /oM (KGF/CM 2)151
- SHEAR STRENGTH RADIAL 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)148 JANKA HARDNESS (SIDE) 120/oM (KGF)1429 JANKA HARDNESS (END GRAIN) 120/oM (KGF)1389
WORKABILITY
- SAWING: Sawing of this species requires powerful equipment.
- ROTARY VENEER CUTTING: Not suitable for veneering. SLICED VENEER : Not suitable for veneering.
- BLUNTING EFFECT: Moderate blunting effect; stellited blades for sawing and carbide tools for machining are advised. MACHINING : It needs powerful tools for processing. Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
- PLANING: Rather difficult; special tools are needed.
- MOULDING: Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened. BORING : Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
- MORTISING: Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened. NAILING : Pre-boring is necessary.
- GLUING: Difficult to glue because of high density. SANDING: Easy to perform; it gives good results. POLISHING: Needs pre-coating.
- STEAM BENDING: Steam bending is difficult.
- RESPONSE TO HAND TOOLS: Working with hand tools is difficult.
END USES
- EXTERIOR GENERAL, Bridges, Poles, Paling, Stakes Posts, Rails, Crossarms, Crossties, Piers, HOUSING GENERAL, Beams, Flooring, Parquet, CONTAINERS, Cooperage, Truck Bodies, Truck Flooring