Dabema
TRADE NAME : Dabema
SCIENTIFIC NAME : Piptadeniastrum africanum Brenan
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION :The tree reaches a height of 26 to 32 m, with trunk diameters up to 130 cm. The bole is cylindrical, straight, and slightly buttressed.
NATURAL HABITAT : Piptadeniastrum africanum is found in rain forest and transitional formations, often as a solitary emergent tree in farmland and secondary bush.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION : West, Central and East Africa, from Senegal to Angola and Uganda
WOOD DESCRIPTION
ODOR : Unpleasant odor of ammoniac
COLOR : The sapwood is light color, it has a thickness of 5 or more cm. The heartwood is light brown to yellow-brown, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is fine (barely visible)
COLOR INDEX (1=BLACK, 7=LIGHT YELLOW,WHITE)
GRAIN : The grain is highly and systematically interlocked; special care is needed when drying because of frequent risks of distortion.
TEXTURE : This wood has a somewhat coarse texture. LUSTER: This wood is frequently low in luster.
NATURAL DURABILITY : Moderately durable to decay. Without preservative treatment, this species can be used only under risk of occasional re-humidification. It is not suited for uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification. Resistant to termites attack.
NATURAL DURABILITY INDEX (1= VERY HIGH DURABILITY,7=VEY LOW DURABILITY) 3
INTERNAL GROWTH STRESSES : This species is reported to have growth stresses.
SILICA CONTENT : Negligible content of silica is reported. Amounts over 0.050/ may affect wood processing.
Silica Value: 0
RESISTANCE TO IMPREGNATION : Difficult to treat with only a low penetration of the preservative products.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
BASIC DENSITY OR SPECIFIC GRAVITY (O.D. WEIGHT/VOL. GREEN) (G/CM°) 0.63 AIR-DRY DENSITY (WEIGHT AND VOLUME AT 120/oM ) (G/CM°)0.70
TOTAL SHRINKAGE TANGENTIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)8.5 TOTAL SHRINKAGE RADIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)3.8
DRYING DEFECTS: Ease of Drying: Drying is moderately easy; some particular care is needed.
Drying Defects: Risks of casehardening and checks Kiln Schedules: Schedule
proposed as a reference by comparison with well known species taking into account to the general technological behavior of this species.
RECOMMENDED DRY KILN SCHEDULE FR-13
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY RATIO (TOTAL TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o/TOTAL RADIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o)2.2
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
BENDING STRENGTH (MOR),120/oM (KGF/CM2) 994 STIFFNESS (MOE) 120/oM (KGF/CM2)154862 COMPRESSION PARALLEL TO FIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM2)583
COMPRESSION PERPENDICULAR TO FIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)76 SHEAR STRENGTH RADIAL 120/oM (KGF/CM2)106 JANKAHARDNESS (SIDE) 120/oM (KGF)611
JANKAHARDNESS (END GRAIN) 120/oM (KGF)707
WORKABILITY
SAWING : It is moderately easy to saw.
ROTARY VENEER CUTTING : Not suitable for veneering.
SLICED VENEER : Not suitable for veneering.
BLUNTING EFFECT : Slight blunting effect; ordinary tools can be used for sawing and machining.
MACHINING : Possible difficulties caused by interlocked grain are reported.
PLANING : Moderately easy; tools must be cautiously sharpened.
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 : Glues well if basic gluing technical rules are followed.
SANDING : Difficult to obtain very good results because of interlocked grain.
POLISHING : Needs pre-coating.
STEAM BENDING : This species can be used for steam bending. RESPONSE TO HAND
TOOLS : No particular problems.
END USES
EXTERIOR GENERAL, rails, HOUSING GENERAL, beams, joists, boards, flooring, parquet, frames, steps, FURNITURE AND CABINETS, common furniture, CONTAINERS, truck bodies, truck flooring