Sapelli /Sapele* — Identification, Uses and Properties
Entandrophragma cylindricum Sprague Meliaceae
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 European standard EN 1912 (2012) and associated national standards (see explanatory note), strength class D40 can be provided by visual grading. Strength class D35 can be provided by visual grading according to French standard NF B 52-001-1 (2011).
Light and regular interlocked grain: appreciated for slicing. Highly interlocked grain:
HARDWOOD AFRICA FRAMING
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Entandrophragma cylindricum Sprague
Family
Meliaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Sapelli-mahogany (Germany), Undianuno (Angola), Assié, Assié-sapelli, Sapelli (Cameroon), Undianuno (Congo), Aboudikro (Côte d’Ivoire), Undianuno (Gabon), Penkwa, Sapelewood (Ghana), Sapele (Nigeria), Muyovu (Uganda), M’boyo (Central African Republic), Lifaki (Democratic Republic of Congo), Sapele (United Kingdom)
Origin Region
Africa
Main End Uses
Framing · Coffins · Ship building (planking and deck) · Cabinetry (high-end furniture) · Stairs (inside) · Veneer for back or face of plywood · Veneer for interior of plywood · Panelling · Exterior joinery · Interior joinery · Built-in furniture or mobile item · Flooring · Sliced veneer
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Red brown
Texture
Fine
Grain
Interlocked grain
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Slight to very marked
Notes
Wood pinkish brown to copper red brown. Cedar scent. Possible presence of ring shakes and blister grains (longitudinal fissures in the shape of barley grain on the curved surface of round timber, generally concealed by the bark and linked to a dysfunction in tree growth).
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Log Description
Tree height
100 – 150 ft
Tree height
30 – 45 m
Diameter
70 to 120 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
4 to 8 cm cm
Buoyancy
Floats
Log Conservation
Moderate (treatment recommended)
Diameter
27.6 to 47.2 in in
Sapwood Thickness
1.6 to 3.1 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.69 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
43.1 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
4.2
Janka Hardness
1,260 lbf
Janka Hardness
5,605 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.47 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
7.2 %
Radial Shrinkage
5 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.4
Fibre Saturation Point
29 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.23 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.133 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
17,810 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,657 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
62 MPa
Crushing Strength
8,992 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
102 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
14,794 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
13,960 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
2,024,727 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 3 - moderately durableDry Wood Borers
Class D - durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited to sapwood)Termites
Class M - moderately durableTreatability
Class 3 - poorly treatable Cross sections of Entandrophragma cylindricumUse Class
Class 2 - inside or under cover (dampness possible)Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood requires appropriate preservation treatmentNotes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Normal
Risk Distortion
High risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
Slight risk
Risk Collapse
No known specific risk
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #4 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Normal
Machining Tools
Ordinary
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Prone to tearing in planing (interlocked grain).Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good
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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