TRADE NAME

OKAN

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms

 

FAMILY

Mimosaceae

 


 

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION

West Africa – Central Africa

Ivory Coast : BOUEMON
Ghana : BENYA, ADADUA
Nigeria : OKAN
Cameroon : ADOUM, BOKOKA, AFRICAN GREENHEART
Gabon : EDOUM, ODUMA
Congo : N’ DUMA

Pr. = NERL. (large possibilities) Ex. = OCC.

 


 

SAPWOOD

Clearly demarcated, greyish pink, 5 cm

 

HEARTWOOD

  • Colour : Yellow-brown to golden brown, with greenish tinge
  • Grain : Slightly/occasionally interlocked to highly/frequently interlocked
  • Texture : Medium to coarse
  • Silver figure : Fine

 


 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

  • Green weight (kg/m3) = 1000 – 1100
  • Specific gravity at 12% M.C. (kg/m3) MV12 = (heavy) 910
  • Volumetric swelling for 1% MC variation V% = (large movement) 0.61
  • Total tangential swelling T% = 8.6
  • Total radial swelling R% = 6.2
  • Crushing strength (N/mm2) C12 = 82
  • Static bending strength (N/mm2) F12 = 187
  • Modulus of elasticity (N/mm2) E12 = 18000

 


 

END USE

  • Railways sleepers
  • Marine piling and dockwork
  • Heavy-duty flooring
  • Wagon trays

 


 

REMARKS

  • Natural durability : Very durable
  • Lyctus susceptibility : No
  • Preservative treatment : Resistant
  • Other remarks :
    – An alternate for AZOBE and GREENHEART.