CODE: AA-WOOD-AZOBE

Very hard wood flooring, for external use.

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a dark reddish or violet brown. Pores contain light-colored mineral deposits which form small but conspicuous streaks throughout the wood. Sapwood is a pale pinkish white, with a gradual transition zone between the heartwood and sapwood.

Grain/Texture: Grain is interlocked, with a coarse texture and low natural luster.

Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; predominantly in radial multiples; very large pores in no specific arrangement, very few; light-colored mineral deposits common; parenchyma banded; narrow rays, spacing fairly close.

Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable, with good resistance to insect attacks. Good weathering characteristics.

Workability: Difficult to work on account of its density and interlocked grain, which can cause tearout. Ekki also has a pronounced blunting effect on cutting edges. Gluing can also pose problems due to its density and oil content.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Ekki has been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Ekki is seldom available in the United States, though it tends to be more readily available in Europe. Prices are expected to be in the mid to high range for an imported hardwood.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. It is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.

Common Uses: Bridges, boatbuilding, marine applications, decking, and flooring.

Comments: This tough, durable wood can be difficult to work, but its longevity (especially in marine applications) make it well worth the effort.

Uses

Because of its great strength, consistency and durability, Azobe? is widely used as construction material in hydraulic engineering for lock gates, fendering, flood-control, jetties, bridges, bridge decks, shore piling, purlins, webbing, noise barriers, dragline mats, bottom boards and support structures for heavy machinery

In more recent years it has been used extensively for constructional elements in galleries and parking decks in housing projects because of its good strength and fire-resistant qualities

Durability

Resistance to fungi: class 1 (very durable)
Resistance to insects: Termites probably class D (sapwood and heartwood very durable), Marine borers class D in Northern European conditions and class M (moderately durable) in Southern European conditions

Density

(940)-1060-(1100) kg/m3 at 12% moisture content Fresh 1100-1300 kg/m3