Moabi

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Common names

Moabi, African pearwood

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Scientific Name

Baillonella toxisperma

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Family

Sapotacae

 

Description

Moabi or African pearwood is one of the most sensual and satisfying of hardwoods that a furniture maker can encounter. The structure of the wood is hard, so hard that the sharpest of tools are required to work it. This allows you to cut the finest of details and form the most delicate of shapes. Pearwood’s heartwood is pinkish brown, red brown, or a rich red; sapwood is pinkish white or gray brown, rather well demarcated. Texture is fine and even; grain is straight, sometimes wavy; has an attractive figure. Wood has satiny lustre on quarter-sawn surfaces. Growth rings more or less distinct. Moabi wood is durable. It is resistant to fungi, Lyctus beetles and termites. It is fairly resistant to marine borers.

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Density

(H=12%) :  0,87

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Treatability

Poorly or not permeable

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Seasoning

The timber dries slowly, but with care it seasons without checking and warping.

 

Stability

Poorly stable

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Durability

Very durable

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Workability

The wood is difficult to work due to the presence of silica (0.2–0.3%) and because it is hard. Stellite-tipped sawteeth are needed. The wood glues, nails and finishes well, and has good steam-bending properties. Painting and varnishing with the principal industrial products do not cause problems. After steaming for 48–60 hours, rotary peeling and slicing give veneer and plywood of satisfactory quality.

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End-Uses

• Exterior joinery

• Volets roulants

• Interior joinery

• Interior panelling

• Flooring

• Stairs (inside)

• Current furniture or furniture components

• Sliced veneer

• Cabinetwork (high class furniture)

 

• Veneer for interior of plywood

• Veneer for back or face of plywood

• Sleepers

• Turned goods

• Articles cintrés

• Sculpture

• Industrial or heavy flooring

• Heavy carpentry

• Bridges (parts not in contact with water or ground)

 

Notes : Good substitute to Makore (Tieghemella spp.).