Botanically, wenge(Millettia laurentii) belongs to the Fabaceae family, a subfamily of legumes. The species is mainly distributed in Central Africa and there in the Democratic Republic of Congo, occasionally as far as Cameroon and Gabon. The tree prefers moist soils and occurs sporadically, occasionally in clusters. Availability is low.
Heartwood heartwood sharply defined, freshly light, later coffee-brown, darkening to black. Pores coarse, scattered, often with dark, more rarely with light fillings. Storage cells arranged tangentially in bands, conspicuously brightly set off. Alternate growth slightly pronounced, decorative.
The density at u=12% is approx. 0.75-0.80 t/m³. The volume shrinkage from the fresh state to 12% residual moisture is given as 11.2%. The tangential shrinkage is 7.4%, the radial shrinkage approx. 3.4%. Drying must take place slowly. The dimensional stability is good. wengé can only be processed with all tools. Planed and turned surfaces have a striking matt sheen.
The modulus of elasticity is approx. 16,800 N/mm2, flexural strength is specified as 115…170 N/mm2.
The Brinell hardness of wengé is given as 21…27.
Wengé is weatherproof, but is practically only used indoors.
High-quality veneer and interior wood, parquet flooring, stairs, turnery wood, musical instrument making
References: |
2-layer prefinished parquet, private house in Wiesbaden Fully functional keyboard |
Sources:
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GOTTWALD 1970: Wood identification of the most important commercial timbers WAGENFÜHR 1996: Wood atlas |
