Wenge

Wenge wood, is an African wood, very durable and hard wood. Occasionally, it is used as a substitute for ebony, because after applying several coats of oil gets almost black. Used for manufacture of luxury articles and musical instruments.

(The pictures are purely indicative, in order to show as it is. Materials as wood vary your drawing or pattern, with each part. Sizes are approximate.)

Common name (s): Wenge, Wengue

Scientific name: Millettia laurentii

Distribution: central Africa

Tree size: 15-30 m high, 1.0-1.2 m in diameter of trunk

Hardness (kg/m3): 1020

Colour / appearance: very dark brown with black stripes.

Grains / texture: the grain is straight, with a very thick texture. Good natural finish.

Resistance: very durable and resistant to insect attack.

Machinability: difficult to work with hand tools such as mechanical, tends to shatter, working always with gloves is recommended. It dulls cutting tools. The sanding is difficult, if you require a fine finish, has a thick pore, alternating between hard zones (dark areas) and soft zones (clear areas).

Odor: when working you have a sour odor, which can be unpleasant.

Allergies / toxicity: serious reactions are very rare, breathing wood dust can cause effects on the central nervous system, irritation of the skin and eyes, although cases only have been reported in workers exposed to dust from Wenge, during long periods. This wood will splinter easily, precautions, the wounds by these chips should be, get infected easily and they are very slow to heal. The team preferred to work this wood are: protective goggles, gloves and mask.

Sustainability: is not in the appendices of the CITES, but is on the IUCN Red list, classified as endangered due to a reduction of the population of more than 50% in the last three generations, caused by a decrease in its natural distribution area, and exploitation.

Common uses: turned wood objects, musical instruments, floors and carved luxury.