Scientific name: Swartzia leiocalycina Family: Caesalpiniaceae Standard name: Wamara Other names: Montouchi, Panacoco, Saboarana, Brown Ebony Wood Appearance The heartwood is chocolate to purplish-brown with darker purple streaks, giving the wood an attractive appearance. The sapwood is pale in colour and sharply demarcated from heartwood; sapwood and heartwood are often used in furniture to give two toned effect. The grain is straight sometimes irregular and texture fine. The bole is 18-21m in length with a diameter of 40-75cm. Physical and Mechanical Properties A very hard, very heavy wood with medium movement. Excellent mechanical strength: Air dried density (12%) - 1060kg/m3 Bending strength (at 12%) - 213 N/mm2 Modulus of elasticity (at 12%) - 23630 N/mm2 Crushing strength (at 12%) - 110N/mm2 Natural Durability The heartwood is durable and extremely resistant to insects, decay and preservatives but not to marine borers. The sapwood is permeable. Timber Processing Drying - Dries slowly with appreciable surface checking. Kiln Schedule B. Working - Difficult to work owing to hardness and interlocked grain. Easy to scrape and sand and gives a fine finish. There is a tendency for end splitting but distortion is not serious. Blunting effect is moderate to high. Suitable for bends of moderate radius of curvature if well supported with a metal strap. Assembly - Difficult to nail and screw and tends to split, but fastenings are held well. Pre-boring is necessary. Finishing - Finishes smoothly and polishes well. Stains will not penetrate the timber. Uses Suitable for interior decorative work and fittings. Can be used for cabinetwork, furniture making, flooring and panelling. Very suitable for inlay work and turnery.
