Here is a website that lists the definition of the wood Mvule along with
other tropical woods
http://www.windsorplywood.com/worldofwoods/tropical/Iroko.html
Chlorophora excelsa
and C. regia
Iroko
Family: Moraceae
Other Common Names: Semli (Sierra Leone, Liberia), Odoum (Ghana, ivory
Coast), Rokko, Oroko (Nigeria),
Abang, Mandji (Cameroon, Gabon), Mereira (Angola), Kambala (Zaire),
Mvule (East Africa).
Distribution: The two species, between them, extend across the entire
width of tropical Africa. C. regia limited to
the extreme west of Africa from Gambia to Ghana and is less drought
resistant.
The Tree: May reach a height of 160 ft, bole straight, cylindrical and
clear to 80 ft, small buttresses sometimes
present.
The Wood:
General Characteristics: Heartwood varies from a pale yellowish brown
to dark chocolate brown with lighter
markings most conspicuous on flat-sawn surfaces; sapwood yellowish
white, clearly demarcated. Texture medium to
coarse; grain typically interlocked, sometimes irregular; slightly
greasy feel; without odor; wet sawdust may cause
dermatitis; occasional large "stone" deposits of calcium carbonate.
Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) 0.55;
air-dry density about 43 pcf.
Mechanical Properties: (2-cm standard)
Moisture content Bending strength Modulus of elasticity Maximum
crushing strength
(%) (Psi) (1,000 psi) (Psi)
Green (9) 10,700 1,200 5,120
12% 13,100 1,360 7,910
12%(44) 11,200 NA 8,450
12%(44) 13,800 NA 7,150
Janka side hardness 1,080 lb for green and 1,260 lb for dry material.
Amsler toughness 166 to 248 in.-lb for dry
material (2-cm specimen).
Drying and Shrinkage: Dries rapidly with little or no degrade. Kiln
schedule T6-D2 is suggested for 414 stock and
T3-D1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 2.8%; tangential
3.8%; volumetric 8.8%. Movement in service is
rated as small.
Working Properties: Works fairly easily with hand or machine tools but
with some tearing of interlocked grain;
occasional deposits of calcium carbonate severely damage cutting
edges; good nailing and gluing characteristics;
moderate steam-bending properties; may cause dermatitis in working wet
wood.
Durability: Heartwood is very durable and is resistant to termite and
marine borer attack as well. Sapwood liable to
powder-post beetle attack.
Preservation: Heartwood is extremely resistant to preservative
treatments; sapwood permeable.
Uses: Suggested as a teak substitute. Joinery, boatbuilding, piling
and marine work, domestic flooring, furniture,
veneer, railroad crossties, cabinetwork, shop fittings.
[log in to unmask] on 06/08/98 02:32:26 PM
Please respond to [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
cc: (bcc: Louise Kennedy/FS/KSG)
Subject: Copal (or copala) finish for wood
We are receiving hand-carved doors from Zanzibar. They are made of
mvule wood and finished with a french polish (rubbed shellac) and a
copal or copala finish? Can anyone tell us what a copal finish
contains? Does anyone know good sources where we might find out more
about the wood?
Thanks,
Lynn Norris
[log in to unmask]
Collections Manager
Exploris
112 S. Blount St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919)834-4040
(919)834-3516 fax
|