Bubinga — Identification, Uses and Properties
Guibourtia demeusei J. Léonard Leguminosae (Caesalpiniaceae)
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: Medium. Grain: Straight or interlocked. Wood pink or reddish brown, with some fine purplish red veins. Some brown veins. Sometimes wavy grain.
HARDWOOD AFRICA TURNED GOODS
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Guibourtia demeusei J. Léonard, Guibourtia pellegriniana J. Léonard, Guibourtia tessmannii J. Léonard
Family
Leguminosae (Caesalpiniaceae)
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Bubinga, Essingang (Cameroon), Lianu (Congo), Akume (United States), Ébana, Kévazingo (Gabon), Ovèng (Equatorial Guinea), Waka (Democratic Republic of Congo), Amstelveen (Netherlands) – Made by Ravier SARL, Domblans (France). (Bubinga Ravier® crystal door (solid wood and acrylic glass assembly),)
Origin Region
Africa
Main End Uses
Turned goods · Heavy carpentry · Cabinetry (high-end furniture) · Stairs (inside) · Vehicle or container flooring · Panelling · Exterior joinery · Interior joinery · Built-in furniture or mobile item · Flooring · Sliced veneer · Decking · Seats · Sleepers
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Red brown
Texture
Medium
Grain
Straight or interlocked
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Slight
Notes
Wood pink or reddish brown, with some fine purplish red veins. Some brown veins. Sometimes wavy grain.
Wood Identifier App
Identify Bubinga and more with the app
Snap a photo and get instant AI-powered species recognition. Available on Google Play and the App Store.
Log Description
Diameter
90 to 150 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
2 to 8 cm cm
Buoyancy
Does not float
Log Conservation
Moderate (treatment recommended)
Diameter
35.4 to 59.1 in in
Sapwood Thickness
0.8 to 3.1 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.92 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
57.4 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
10.2
Janka Hardness
3,060 lbf
Janka Hardness
13,612 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.62 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
7.9 %
Radial Shrinkage
5.5 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.4
Fibre Saturation Point
24 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.3 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.173 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
19,750 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
8,491 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
76 MPa
Crushing Strength
11,023 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
137 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
19,870 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
20,180 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
2,926,862 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 2 - durableDry Wood Borers
Class D - durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited to sapwood)Termites
Class D - durableTreatability
Class 4 – non-treatable Cross sections of Guibourtia tessmanniiUse 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. 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
Slow
Risk Distortion
High risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
High risk
Risk Collapse
No known specific risk
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #8 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Fairly high
Tooth For Sawing
Stellite-tipped
Machining Tools
Tungsten carbide
Suitability Peeling
Not recommended or without interest
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Care is needed in presence of irregular grain. Very decorative veneers.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
The 3 Bubinga species are listed in CITES Appendix II
Back to Species Library
Completeness: 1.8 / 10