African Padauk* / Padouk d’Afrique — Identification, Uses and Properties
Pterocarpus osun Craib Leguminosae (Fabaceae)
Sawn timber appearance grading According to SATA grading rules (1996) • For the “General Purpose Market” Possible grading for square-edged timbers: choice i, choice ii, choice iii, choice iv Possible grading for short-length lumbers: choice i, choice ii Possible grading for short-length rafters: choice i, choice ii, choice iii • For the “Special Market” Possible grading for strips and small boards: choice i, choice ii, choice iii Possible grading for rafters: choice i, choice ii, choice iii Visual structure grading According to French standard NF B 52-001-1 (2011), strength class D40 can be provided by visual grading.
Texture: Coarse. Grain: Straight or interlocked. Wood bright red becoming purplish brown with light.
HARDWOOD AFRICA TURNED GOODS
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Pterocarpus osun Craib, Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub., Pterocarpus tinctorius Welw.
Family
Leguminosae (Fabaceae)
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Padauk (Germany), Tacula (Angola), Corail (Belgium), Mbel (Cameroon), Kisésé (Congo), Padouk d’Afrique (France), Mbel (Gabon), Palo rojo (Equatorial Guinea), Paduk (Italy), Osun (Nigeria), Padoek (Netherlands), Padouk (Central African Republic), Mongola, Mukula, N’gula (Democratic Republic of Congo), African padauk, Barwood, Camwood, Padauk (United Kingdom), Libreville (Gabon). (Façade of the ministry of water and forests building,)
Origin Region
Africa
Main End Uses
Turned goods · Heavy carpentry · Ship building (planking and deck) · Shipbuilding (ribs) · Cabinetry (high-end furniture) · Stairs (inside) · Vehicle or container flooring · Percussion instruments, xylophones · Exterior joinery · Interior joinery · Flooring · Industrial or heavy flooring · Sliced veneer · Decking · Bridges (parts in contact with water or · Bridges (parts not in contact with water · Sculpture · Seats · Hydraulic works (seawater) · Sleepers
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Red
Texture
Coarse
Grain
Straight or interlocked
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Slight
Notes
Wood bright red becoming purplish brown with light.
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Log Description
Tree height
39 – 98 ft
Tree height
12 – 30 m
Diameter
60 to 100 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
6 to 10 cm cm
Buoyancy
Does not float
Log Conservation
Moderate (treatment recommended)
Diameter
23.6 to 39.4 in in
Sapwood Thickness
2.4 to 3.9 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.79 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
49.3 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
8.3
Janka Hardness
2,490 lbf
Janka Hardness
11,076 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.44 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
5 %
Radial Shrinkage
3.2 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.6
Fibre Saturation Point
21 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.26 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.15 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Crushing Strength
65 MPa
Crushing Strength
9,427 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
116 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
16,824 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
15,870 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
2,301,749 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 1 - very durableDry Wood Borers
Class D - durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited to sapwood)Termites
Class D - durableTreatability
Class 2 - moderately treatable. Cross sections of Pterocarpus soyauxiiUse Class
Class 4 - in ground or fresh water contactPreservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentNotes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. This species only naturally covers the use class 5 (wood permanently or regularly submerged in salt water, sea water or brackish water) for uses in temperate and cold environments. According to the European standard NF EN 335 of May 2013, performance length might be modified by conditions in which it is used.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Normal to slow
Risk Distortion
No risk or very slight risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
No risk or very slight risk
Risk Collapse
No known specific risk
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #8 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Fairly high
Machining Tools
Tungsten carbide
Suitability Peeling
Not recommended or without interest
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Sawdust is an irritant. Sawing and machining requires powerful equipment. Sometimes difficulties due to interlocked grain.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good but pre-boring necessary
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3 (moderately flammable) Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
Euroclass
D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
No trade restrictions
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