 Afrormosia
PERICOPSIS ELATA
This species is known for its beautiful coloration, which ranges from golden to darker
brown, gradually turning to a deep, rich, walnut-like color. Hard, heavy and strong,
afrormosia is similar to teak in most technical properties, but not difficult to work with and
can be glued successfully employing ordinary techniques. Afrormosia is similar to teak in
color, texture and graining. In addition to its striking appearance, afrormosia has long
been a favorite in Europe for high-grade commercial and residential construction when
quality and appearance, rather than cost, have been design objectives and a uniform, rich
look is desired. A first class cabinet and furniture wood, it is not well known in the United
States, but admired by all those who know it.
FAMILY
Leguminosae.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
Kokrodua (Ghana), Assamela (Ivory Coast).
ORIGIN
West Africa, but mainly Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
APPEARANCE
Heartwood yellow brown turning to a dark brown on exposure. Sapwood narrow, lighter
in color and clearly demarcated. Afrormosia undergoes a large degree of color change over
time with pronounced darkening from a golden tan color when freshly milled to a uniform
medium brown when fully aged. Texture moderately fine, grain straight to interlocked;
some resemblance to teak.
DENSITY AND BUOYANCY
Janka hardness is 1560, making it 21% harder than Red Oak (1210 Janka).
Average weight is 43 lbs./cu. ft. with a specific gravity of .57, buoyancy is very close to teak.
DRYING AND SHRINKAGE
Dries rather slowly with little degrade apart from slight warp.
Kiln schedule T10-D5S is suggested for 4/4 stock and T8-D4S for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 3.0%,
tangential 6.4"; volumetric 10.7%. Movement in service is rated as small.
WORKABILITY
Works well with hand and machine tools, finishes cleanly, turns satisfactorily, good
gluing, moderate stream-bending properties. Sawdust reported to be an eye irritant,
good ventilation needed.
DURABILITY
Heartwood is rated as very durable and highly resistant to termite attack.
Dark stains liable to appear if in contact with iron under damp conditions.
PRESERVATION
Heartwood extremely resistant to preservative treatments; sapwood fairly permeable.
USES
Flooring, furniture, cabinets, decorative veneers, doors and windows.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Afrormosia is very uniform colored, dense hardwood which offers a lot of
"ribbon striped" figure when quarter sawn. Found in Central and South Africa, afrormosia is similar to teak,
yet easier to work with.
Other qualities include:
- ideal for commercial and residential applications where a uniform look is preferred
- known as one of the hardest woods available, and is also very stable
- glues well and finishes excellently
LUMBER
Custom sizes available in flooring, paneling and mouldings.
- 4/4" to 16/4" thickness
- 4" and wider
- 6' and longer, up to 16'
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