Okan

Okan

TRADE NAME : Okan

SCIENTIFIC NAME : Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms 
  • BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION :  The tree reaches a height of more than 50 m. The bole is straight, cylindrical and clear to 26 m in length. The trunk diameter attains from 100 to 130 cm, but it may reach over 300 cm above the buttresses.
  • NATURAL HABITAT : Cylicodiscus gabunensis occurs in rain forests.
  • NATURAL DISTRIBUTION :West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Gabon.

WOOD DESCRIPTION

  • Color : The sapwood is greyish pink, it has a thickness of 5 cm. The heartwood is yellow-brown to golden brown, with greenish tinge, it is clearly demarcated. The silver figure is fine.
COLOR INDEX (1=BLACK,7=LIGHT YELLOW,WHITE)2
  • 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 : Very durable to decay; without preservative treatment. This species is especially suited for all the uses with risks of permanent or long-lasting humidification Resistant to termites attack. Heartwood is resistant to Lyctus attacks.

  • NATURAL DURABILITY INDEX (1= VERY HIGH DURABILITY,7=VEY LOW DURABILITY)1

  • INTERNAL GROWTH STRESSES :  No growth stresses are reported in this species.
  • SILICA CONTENT : Silica Content: Silica is present. Amounts over 0.050/ may affect wood processing. Silica Value: 0.19
  • RESISTANCE TO IMPREGNATION : Difficult to treat with only a low penetration of the preservative products.

WOOD PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

BASIC DENSITY OR SPECIFIC GRAVITY (O.D. WEIGHT/VOL. GREEN) (G/CM°)0.80 AIR-DRY DENSITY (WEIGHT AND VOLUME AT 120/oM ) (G/CM°)0.91
TOTAL SHRINKAGE TANGENTIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)7.9 TOTAL SHRINKAGE RADIAL (SATURATED TO 00/oM ) (0/o)5.9

DRYING DEFECTS : Ease of Drying: Air drying is rated as good.
RECOMMENDED DRY KILN SCHEDULE FR-12
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY RATIO (TOTAL TANGENTIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o/TOTAL RADIAL SHRINKAGE 0/o)1.3

WOOD MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

BENDING STRENGTH (MOR),120/oM (KGF/CM 2)1367 STIFFNESS (MOE) 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)226919 COMPRESSION PARALLEL TO FIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)835
COMPRESSION PERPENDICULAR TO FIBER 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)123 SHEAR STRENGTH RADIAL 120/oM (KGF/CM 2)105 JANKAHARDNESS (SIDE) 120/oM (KGF)1047
JANKAHARDNESS (END GRAIN) 120/oM (KGF)1085

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.
  • TURNING 30
  • 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.
  • RESPONSE TO HAND TOOLS:Working with hand tools is difficult.

END USES:

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