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| Common
Names: |
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Aboudikroe
Assi
Assie sapelli
Lifari
M'boyo
Muyovu
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Penkwa
Sapele
Sapele mahogany
Sapeli
Sapelli
Undianuno
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- Mechanical Values
| Category |
Green |
Dry |
Units |
| Weight |
52 |
42 |
lbs/cu.ft. |
| Density (air-dry) |
|
42 |
lbs/cu.ft. |
| Specific Gravity |
0.48 |
0.62 |
|
| Hardness |
|
1510 |
lbs |
| Stiffness |
1397 |
1704 |
1000 psi |
| Bending Strength |
10233 |
17895 |
psi |
| Shearing Strength |
|
2288 |
psi |
| Max. Crushing
Strength |
5115 |
8788 |
psi |
| Work to Maximum Load |
10 |
16 |
in-lbs/in3 |
| Radial Shrinkage
(G->OD) |
|
5 |
% |
| Tangential Shrink.
(G->OD) |
|
7 |
% |
| Volumetric Shrink
(G->OD) |
|
14 |
% |
Environmental Profile
The species is reported to be relatively secure within
parts of its range but it is known to be Vulnerable in
Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. It is considered as a
Candidate for an environmental status assessment in
Ghana and Uganda because it is suspected to be either
Extinct, Endangered, Rare, or Vulnerable in those areas
(Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center -1992 ).
Distribution
The geographical range of Sapele is reported to extend
from the Ivory Coast to the Cameroon, eastward through
Zaire to Uganda. It is reported to be found in different
forest types, including deciduous, evergreen, and
transitional zones.
Product Sources
Some lumber from this species is reported to be
obtainable from sustainably managed or other
environmentally responsible sources.
The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
reports that the species is an important source of
timber and is exported regularly.
Sapele is reported to be readily available as either
veneer or lumber, with prices ranging from average to
valuable. Specified grades of Sapele are also reported
to be easier to fill. Quartered sapele is reported to
yield beautiful straight stripes. Flat cut wood produces
attractive cathedrals and cantilevered hearts and Sapele
pommele, a wild blisterered grain pattern present in
some trees. Sapele pommele is reported to be a highly
popular veneer, and is used by designers for
architectural interiors, table tops, and wall paneling.
The best grades of Sapele are reported to feature a fine
pencil stripe of uniform width.
The following species in the database has been suggested
as a potential substitute for Sapele:
Kosipo (Entandrophragma candollei )
Tree Data
Sapele is a large rain forest tree from Africa. It is
reported to grow to heights of 150 feet (45 m), with
trunk diameters of 48 to 72 inches (120 to 180 cm).
Boles are usually clear and cylindrical to heights of 80
to 100 feet (24 to 30 m).
Sapwood Color
The sapwood is gray-pink or cream in color.
Heartwood Color
The heartwood is pink when freshly cut, but it matures
to a red-brown or purple-brown color.
Grain
The grain is moderately interlocked or wavy. Quarter cut
Sapele is reported to yield a ribbon, regular stripe or
bee's wing. Other cuts feature various desirable
patterns, including fiddlebacks, roe or a mottled
design, especially in wood containing wavy grain.
Texture
Texture is typically moderately fine.
Luster
Luster is described as high and golden.
Odor
The wood has a cedar-like scent that remains even after
long exposure.
Gum Content
Gum canals are reported to be a natural feature in
Sapele.
Ease of Drying
Considerable variations in the seasoning properties of
the species have been reported. It is reported to season
fairly rapidly, in general, with quartered material
seasoning the best.
Drying Defects
Sapele is reported to be prone to distort during drying.
Moderate temperatures are recommended especially during
the early stages of drying. Slight checking may occur
during drying, but the species is generally free from
the cross-breaks which occur in African mahogany.
Kiln Schedules
T2 - D4 (4/4); T2 - D3 (8/4) US
Movement in Service
The timber is reported to have moderate dimensional
stability after seasoning, and shows medium movement in
use.
T/R Ratio
1.40
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together
with other drying information and actual shrinkage data
in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the
Numerical Values window).
Natural Durability
The wood is reported to be susceptible to pinhole borer,
and marine borer attack. The sapwood is reported to be
readily attacked by powder post beetle, but it is
moderately resistant to African termites.
Resistance to Impregnation
The heartwood is nearly untreatable, while the sapwood
is moderately resistant to preservatives.
Veneering Qualities
Sapele is reported to be available at moderate prices as
veneer. Sapele pommeleis reported to be a popular veneer
for designers in architectural interiors, table tops,
and wall paneling. The material is quartered to yield a
straight grain appearance, and is usually flat cut for
cathedrals.
Blunting Effect
Bunting effect on cutters is rated as rather slight.
Cutting Resistance
The wood has a low resistance to sawing.
Planing
The material is reported to be generally easy to plane,
but interlocked material has a tendency to tear.
Turning
This wood is reported to respond fairly well to turning
operations, and works to yield relatively smooth
surfaces.
Moulding
Interlocked grain may cause tearing in moulding. A
reduced cutting angle is suggested for best results.
Boring
Boring properties are reported to be good.
Routing & Recessing
The material is reported to be easy to rout.
Mortising
The timber is reported to respond to mortising
operations, with only slight dulling effect on cutting
edges.
Carving
The wood is reported to carve easily.
Gluing
The wood glues fairly well.
Nailing
Nailing and nail holding characteristics are reported to
be good.
Screwing
The wood has good screwing and screw-holding properties.
Sanding
Sanding characteristics are rated as very good.
Polishing
Polishing characteristics are reported to be excellent.
Staining
The wood is reported to stain well, but requires some
care.
Varnishing
Varnishing properties are rated as good.
Painting
Painting properties are rated as good.
Steam Bending
Steam bending properties are reported to be rather poor.
Response to Hand Tools
Response to hand tools is reported to be generally good.
Comments
Sapele is reported to be comparable to Oak in strength
properties, and is stronger than either African (Khaya )
or American mahogany (Swietenia ).
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