TRADE NAME:Iroko
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C.Berg
- BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: The tree is up to 30 to 48 m tall, with diameters up to 150 cm. The commercial lengths vary from 9 to 24 m.
- NATURAL HABITAT: Milicia excelsa is widespread at altitudes below 1,000 m, it grows under a variety of conditions. It is known or inferred that the harvesting of specimens from the wild for international trade has, or may have, a detrimental impact on the species by EITHE
- NATURAL DISTRIBUTION: It is widespread in tropical and subtropical Africa.
- NON TIMBER USES: Contains some resins or extracts which could pose problems when machining or finishing.
GENERAL WOOD DESCRIPTION
- COLOR: The sapwood is yellowish white, it has a thickness of 5 to 7.5 cm. The heartwood is yellow brown to dark brown, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is fine.
- GRAIN: Straight or slightly interlocked, sometimes with an influence on further processing operations.
- TEXTURE: The texture is typically medium to coarse.
- LUSTER: Luster is usually low.
- NATURAL DURABILITY: Because of variable resistance to decay, this species can be only considered as durable to decay; it can be utilized without preservative treatment for exterior joinery or similar uses. Resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attack NATURAL DURABILITY INDEX (1= VERY HIGH DURABILITY,7=VERY LOW DURABILITY) 2
- INTERNAL GROWTH STRESSES: No residual growth stresses are found.
- SILICA CONTENT: Silica content is negligible. Amounts over 0.05% may affect wood processing. Silica Value: 0.01
- 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. WEIGHTIVOL. GREEN) (GICM3) 0.59 AIR-DRY DENSITY (WEIGHT AND VOLUME AT 12%MC) (GICM3)0.65
- TOTAL SHRINKAGE TANGENTIAL (SATURATED TO 0%MC) (%)5.5 TOTAL SHRINKAGE RADIAL (SATURATED TO 0%MC) (%)3.6 RECOMMENDED DRY KILN SCHEDULEFR-6
- DIMENSIONAL STABILITY RATIO (TOTAL TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE %ITOTAL RADIAL SHRINKAGE %)1.5
WOOD MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
- BENDING STRENGTH (MOR),12%MC (KGFICM2) 893 STIFFNESS (MOE) 12%MC (KGFICM2)135725 COMPRESSION PARALLEL TO FIBER 12%MC (KGFICM2)556
COMPRESSION PERPENDICULAR TO FIBER 12%MC (KGFICM2)72 SHEAR STRENGTH RADIAL 12%MC (KGFICM2)67 JANKAHARDNESS (SIDE) 12%MC (KGF)522
JANKAHARDNESS (END GRAIN) 12%MC (KGF)623
WORKABILITY
- SAWING: It is easy to saw.
- ROTARY VENEER CUTTING: Suitable for slicing, also suitable for peeling if treated.
- SLICED VENEER: Suitable for slicing, also suitable for peeling if treated.
- BLUNTING EFFECT: Slight blunting effect; ordinary tools can be used for sawing and machining.
- MACHINING: Machining of this species is reportedly easy. PLANING : Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
- MOULDING: Easy, no particular problems.
- TURNING 30: BORING . Easy; no particular problems. MORTISING : Easy; no particular problems.
- NAILING: No particular problem.
- GLUING: Difficult to glue because of the extracts content.
- SANDING: Easy to perform; it gives good results.
- POLISHING: Needs pre-coating.
- STEAM BENDING: This species can be used for steam bending.
- RESPONSE TO HAND TOOLS: No particular problems.
END USES
- HOUSING GENERAL,beams,joists,boards,flooring,parquet,frames,steps,panelling, fittings, URNITURE AND CABINETS, luxury furniture, cabinets, PLYWOOD AND VENEER, faces, Decorative veneer, TURNING, ornaments, turned furniture, cutlery, lasts, CONTAINERS, cooperage, truck bodies, truck flooring, NAVAL CONSTRUCTION, boat deck, port storage, OTHER AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, handicrafts
