OKAN
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.