Table 1.— Results of tests of hardness on cabinet woods 
Species 
[Moisture ! 
; content: 
: : 
Specific : 
gravity ! 
( oven-dry : 
weight : 
and : 
volume ) : 
Average and comparative hardness- 
Average of 100 
tests on 
10 pieces 
Compared to 
blacic walnut 
[Percent i 
0.U8 : 
.51 1 
Founds 
860 
1,050 
: Percent 
Avodire (W. Africa) 
Turraeanthus africana 
Mahogany (Colombia) 
Sv.ie tenia macrophylla 
: 5.8 1 
\ 5.2 \ 
1 68 
! 63 
Load required to embed a O.LiUU-inch bail tc one-half its diameter, 
Grain, Texture, and Figure 
The grain may be straight but is frequently wavy or interlocked, which produces 
a mottled figure on quarter-cut material. The texture is fine and uniform (16). 
The irregular grain combined with the hi h luster ma i e a fine moire 
appearance to the finished surface, which at its best suggests figured satinwood 
(1). The figured wood may show considerable variety, such as stripe, curl, or 
mottle (22). 
Odor and Taste 
Odor and taste are absent or not distinctive (29). 
Mechanical Properties 
The information on the mechanical properties of avodire is nearer, but it is 
reputed to be a strong, tough, elastic timber in proportion to its weight 
(1, lit , 16) . The following comparison of IVest Ifrican species is taken from 
an article by Monnin and Collardet quoted in YTeltholzwirtschaft, IJbersee Holzer 
Beilage L'r. 16, April 1950 (31). 
Rept. No. R1905 
