MNINGA
Hardwood (Muninga) (Kiaat) (Mukwa) Pterocarpus angolensis
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Description:
Sapwood is distinct, while greyish, 25-50 mm width. Heartwood is highly variable in color varying from pale uniform brown to purple-brown. Figure variable being plain, mottled or striped. Grain is generally straight but occasionally interlocked. Texture medium to coarse.
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Characteristics:
Dries slowly with no degradation even under severe conditions. Works well by both hand and machine tools. Planes and molds to a good finish. Resistant to termites and marine borers. Strength properties similar to those of teak and 30% harder than Burma teak, 15% harder than mvule. More stable in service than teak. The prime timber of East Africa.
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Uses:
Furniture, Joinery, Panelling, Flooring, Boatbuilding.
Properties:
Density 700 kg/m3; Modulus of rupture 90N/mm2; Modulus of elasticity 900 N/mm2; Movement, rad 0.5% tang 0.6%; Hardness 1480.
MVULE
Hardwood (Iroko) Chlorophora excelsa
Description:
Sapwood clearly defined, yellow-white of 25-100mm width depending on the age of the tree. Heartwood light yellow, rich brown or greenish-brown, darkening on exposure. Texture medium to coarse, grain typically interlocked, figure mottled. Wood is slightly greasy with no odor.
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Characteristics:
Dries rapidly with very little degradation. Work easily by machine or hand. Very resistant to biological attack by fungus, insects and marine borers. Resistant to fire. Strength properties comparable to those of teak although weaker in bending and compression. Among the best-known tropical hardwoods, usually under the name of iroko.
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Uses:
Furniture, Exterior joinery, Panelling, Laboratory benchtops, Flooring.
Properties:
Density 740 kg/m3; Modulus of rupture 85 N/m2; Modulus of elasticity 9900 N/mm2; Movement, rad 0.5%, tang 1.0%; Hardness 1260.
MKANGAZI
Hardwood (African Mahogany) Khaya nyasica
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Description:
Sapwood of similar color to heartwood when dry, 50-75 mm width. Heartwood bright pink to pale red when freshly sawn, darkening to a lustrous golden brown on exposure. Medium to fin, even texture. Straight, interlocked or wavy grain.
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Characteristics:
Dries rapidly with little degradation unless tension wood is present. Machines and finished well and take a good polish. Durability is comparable to other African mahoganies. Compared to these, Khaya Nyasa is harder and more resistant to shear but somewhat weaker in bending. One of the fine hardwoods.
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Uses:
Cabinet making, Furniture, High-class joinery, Flooring, Boat placking, Plywood.
Properties:
Density 580 kg/m3; Modulus of elasticity 7600 N/mm2; Movement, rad 1.1%, tang 2.4%; Hardness 980.
PANGAPANGA
Hardwood Milletia stuhlmannii
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Description:
Sapwood yellowish white, 25-50 mm width. Heartwood dark brown with alternate bands of dark and lighter colored tissue. Medium texture and straight grain. Striking figure on tangential surface. Generally similar in appearance and properties to wenge (Milletial laurentii).
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Characteristics:
Seasons well and comparatively quickly. Sawing and machining are somewhat difficult but molds and turns well to a clear finish. Polishes very well. Resistant to termites and classified as very durable. Strength properties are excellent and very similar to mtundu and jarrah. High resistance to abrasion. Small movement.
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Uses:
Heavy-duty flooring, Furniture, High-class joinery.
Properties:
Density 900 kg/m3; Modulus of rupture 112 N/mm2; Modulus of elasticity 13600 N/mm2; Movement, rad 0.6%, tang 0.9%; Hardness 1630.
MKONGO
Hardwood (Mbembakofi) (Mkora) Afzelia quanzensis
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Description:
Sapwood is distinct, white. Heartwoodpink-brown or brown-yellow, turning reddish-brown on exposure. Texture medium to coarse and even. Grain straight or interlocked. Handsome appearance but with the little figure.
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Characteristics:
Seasons slowly but well. Moderately hard to machine due to blunting of cutters. Molds and turns well and takes a fine finish. Immune to borer attack and decay, resistant to termites. Strength properties comparable to West African afzelia (doussie) and jarrah although lightly weaker in bending. Regarded as a substitute for teak and mvule. A versatile fine timber suitable where strength, durability, stability and good appearance is required.
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Uses:
Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Construction.
Properties:
Density 820 kg/m3 (variable); Modulus of rupture 108 N/mm2; Modulus of elasticity 11200 N/mm2; Movement, rad 0.9%, tang 1.1%; Hardness 1850.
GREVILLEA
Hardwood Greviflea robusta
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Description:
Sapwood is cream-colored and differentiated. Heartwood is distinctly pink when freshly cut, turning pale brown on drying. Medium to coarse texture and straight or wavy grain. The broad rays give a conspicuous silver grain figure on both quartersawn and back. sawn faces.
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Characteristics:
Dries slowly with slight distortion unless the heart is boxed in when surface checking and end splitting may occur. Moderately durable. Saws and machines very easily. Strength properties are similar or slightly inferior to those of cypress and pine.
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Uses:
Building, Shuttering, Joinery, Furniture.
Properties:
Density 610 kg/m3;Modulus of rupture 59 N/mm2; Modulus of elasticity 7700 N/mm2; Movement, rad 0.8%, tang 2.5%; Hardness 840.
CYPRESS
Softwood Cupressus lusitanica
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Description:
Sapwood usually paler than heartwood which is pink-brown or straw-colored. The texture is fine and even and the grain is usually straight. Knots are usually smaller and more evenly distributed than in pine.
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Characteristics:
Air - seasons rapidly with minimum degrade. Saws and machines well. Strength properties comparable to or slightly under those of podo. Treatable with pressure impregnation. A utility softwood is often marketed together with the pine.
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Uses:
General construction, Shuttering, Internal joinery, furniture.
Properties:
Density 410 km/m3; Modulus of rupture 65 N/mm2; Modulus of elasticity 8500 N/mm2; Movement, rad 0.6%, tang 1.1%; Hardness 610.
MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD
Engineered Wood
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Description:
Medium Density Fiberboard is frequently specified as MDF, it's being frequently specified because of its excellent and consistent quality. A wood-based panel, MDF is manufactured mainly from wood fibers bonded together with synthetic resins. It's completely homogeneous with a uniform density across the thickness of the board.
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Uses:
MDF can use in a whole range of different applications. MDF has a superb smooth, hard surface, which makes it perfect for painting, staining, grain printing and laminating. It machines easily without chipping or splintering. It is also ideal for sawing, routing, shaping and drilling.
Properties:
FOR 12 to 22mm
Density 750 kg/m3
Modulus of Rupture 45 Mpa
Modulus of Elasticity 4000 Mpa
Water Absorption (24hr) 16%
Thickness tolerance +/- 2mm
Moisture Content (explant) 8%
Size availability: 2440 x 1220