Wood Species - Wenge
WENGE
Millettia spp.
Appearance
Color: Heartwood is yellow-brown when freshly cut, turning dark brown
to almost black with alternate layers of light and dark. Sapwood is yellowish-white
and clearly demarcated from heartwood.
Grain: Straight when quartersawn; coarse texture.
Variations within species and grades: Moderate variations in color.
Properties
Hardness (Janka): 1630; 26% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00201; 46% more
stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant
movement in use.
Durability: Average.
Workability
Sawing and machining: Difficult due to rapid dulling of tools; carbide
tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Some solvent-based stains do not dry well.
Comments: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.
From The National Wood Flooring
Association's "Wood Species Used in Wood Flooring" information booklet.
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