Wood Specification sheet
SAPELE – (Other names: aboudikro, sapelli)
THE TREE – Grows to a height of 150-200 ft. from managed plantations in West Africa
B.E.S. RATING – Hardwood
THE TIMBER -
Properties
- Color Fairly uniform, reddish brown wood, typically With a well marked stripe or roe figure which shows to advantage on accurately cut ¼ cut veneers.
- Sapwood Whitish or pale yellow
- Grain Interlocked, sometimes wavy
- Weight Average 35-43#/cu.ft.
- Moisture Content 12%
- Bending Strength 16100 lb/cu inch
- Modules of Elasticity 1700 (1000 lb/cu in)
- Compression Parallel to grain 8500 lb/cu. Inch
- Movement Medium
- Moisture content in 90% relative humidity=20.5%
- Moisture content in 60% relative humidity=13.5%
- Corresponding tangential movement – 1.8% (7/32 in/ft
- Corresponding radial movement – 1.3% (5/32 in/ft)
Processing
- Drying: Dries fairly rapidly, Tendency for original shakes to extend and distortion in the form of twist to develop, but distortion is not generally severe.
Shrinkage
- Green to 12% moisture
- Tangential – (9/16 in/ft)
- Radial – (5/32 in/ft)
