COMMON NAMES:   Khaya, African mahogany

SPECIFIC GRAVITY:  

DENSITY:  33 lbs./cu.ft.

TANGENTIAL MOVEMENT:   4.5 - 5.7%

RADIAL MOVEMENT:   2.5 - 3.2%

VOLUMETRIC SHRINKAGE:   9.1%

DURABILITY1:   Moderate

SOURCE:  Tropical West and Central Africa

DESCRIPTION:   Is used where a good quality, medium weight hardwood is needed. Heartwood is shades of pinkish red, darkening to reddish brown with exposure. Sapwood is a creamy or yellowish white. Grain usually interlocked, and dark grooves appear when cut longitudinally. Texture varies. Severe buckling occurs when bent. When planing, use a cutting angle of 20 degrees. Excellent for furniture, cabinets, rotary and flat sawn veneers, staircases, doors, musical instruments, intarsia works, window frames, and the weapons industry.

1 Durability refers to a wood's resistance to rotting in wet environments.