Sapele

Specs

Common Names

Sapele

Scientific Name

Entandrophragma cylindricum

Origin

Africa (West, Central, and East)

Appearance

Sapele heartwood ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown with a golden luster. The wood has a straight to interlocked grain with a fine to medium texture.

Avg. Dried Weight

41-50 lbs/ft3 (660-800 kg/m3)

Janka Hardness

1510 lbf

Modulus of Rupture

15,710 lbf/in2 (108.3 MPa)

Elastic Modulus

1,770,000 lbf/in2 (12.2 GPa)

Crushing Strength

8,660 lbf/in2 (59.7 MPa)

Shrinkage

Radial: 2.7%, Tangential: 5.8%, Volumetric: 9.6%, T/R Ratio: 2.1

Durability

Rated as moderately durable to durable; resistant to termite attacks.

Workability

Sapele wood is generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It has good nailing and screwing properties. It finishes well and can be polished to a smooth surface. The wood has good dimensional stability and is resistant to warping.