IROKO

Kambala
Chlorophora excelsa

Shown with water-based finish (top), and oil-based finish (bottom)

APPEARANCE

COLOR: Light to medium brown when newly installed; has a significant color change and turns to brown/dark brown over time.
GRAIN: Interlocked medium to coarse texture.
VARIATIONS WITHIN SPECIES AND GRADES: Dramatic difference between quartersawn and flatsawn products.

PROPERTIES

HARDNESS (JANKA): 1260 (2% softer than Northern red oak).
DIMENSIONAL STABILITY: Excellent (3.8; 66% more stable than Northern red oak).

WORKABILITY

SAWING/MACHINING: Somewhat stringy—may split and splinter when resanding or ripping.
NAILING: No known problems.
SANDING: No known problems.

Suggested Sequence
First Cut: 50 at a 7-15 degree angle with the grain
Second Cut: 60 or 80 straight with the grain
Third Cut: 100
Hard Plate: 120
First Screen: 100
Second Screen: 120

FINISHING: Staining and/or bleaching this species may be difficult. No finish compatibility problems are known.
COMMENTS: Dust is known to cause both contact dermatitis and respiratory reactions.

ORIGIN

Africa.

AVAILABILITY

Moderately available.