Wenge

Millettia spp.

Sample is square-edged solid strip. Top portion is finished with a water-based urethane; the bottom with an oil-modified polyurethane.

Appearance
COLOR: Heartwood is yellow-brown when freshly cut, turning dark brown to almost black with alternate layers of light and dark. Sapwood is yellowish-white and clearly demarcated from heartwood.
GRAIN: Straight when quartersawn; coarse texture.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Moderate variations in color.

Properties
HARDNESS (JANKA): 1630; 26% harder than Northern red oak.
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Excellent (change coefficient .00201; 46% more stable than red oak). How-ever, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.
DURABILITY: Average.

Workability
SAWING/MACHINING: Difficult due to rapid dulling of tools; carbide tooling recommended.
SANDING: Sands satisfactorily.
NAILING: Good holding ability.
FINISHING: Some solvent-based stains do not dry well.
COMMENTS: Dermatological and respiratory allergic potential.

Cost (relative to plainsawn select red oak)
MULTIPLIER: 5.50

Availability
Limited.

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