A Professional Guide To IROKO Wood by Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited

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● Q1: What is the basic taxonomic and common information for IROKO, and why is it often called "African Teak"?

● Q2: What are the key physical and mechanical properties of IROKO that make it a superior choice for demanding applications?

● Q3: What are the primary application fields of IROKO, and in which countries is it predominantly used?

● Q4: What are the essential processing and usage precautions for IROKO?

● Q5: As a seasoned supplier, how does Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited ensure the quality and sustainability of its IROKO?

Q1: What is the basic taxonomic and common information for IROKO, and why is it often called "African Teak"?

IROKO, scientifically known as Milicia excelsa and Milicia regia, belongs to the Moraceae family. It is a major timber species native to the tropical rainforests of Africa, ranging from the coast of East Africa through Central and West Africa. At Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited, we source our IROKO primarily from established and sustainable suppliers in Nigeria, Ghana, and the Republic of Congo.

The common name "African Teak" stems from its remarkable similarity to genuine Teak (Tectona grandis) in both appearance and properties. It possesses a rich, golden to medium brown heartwood that darkens with age, often interlocked with a coarse texture, and offers outstanding durability and stability, making it a premier and cost-effective alternative to Teak.

Q2: What are the key physical and mechanical properties of IROKO that make it a superior choice for demanding applications?

IROKO's value is derived from its exceptional combination of physical and mechanical properties, which we at Senheda Wood rigorously verify:

◆ Density & Durability: With an average air-dry density of 640-670 kg/m³, IROKO is classified as very durable, offering high resistance to fungi, termites, and powder-post beetles. This makes it ideal for both interior and exterior use without the need for intensive chemical treatment.

◆ Dimensional Stability: It exhibits good stability once properly seasoned. Our kiln-drying process ensures moisture content is brought down to a stable 10-12%, minimizing risks of warping or cracking in service.

◆ Mechanical Strength: IROKO has excellent bending and crushing strength, with a modulus of rupture of around 100 MPa. It is also tough and resistant to shock loads, allowing it to perform well in structural applications.

◆ Workability: While generally good with machining tools, its interlocked grain can sometimes pose a challenge during planing, requiring sharp, carbide-tipped tools to achieve a smooth finish. It nails, screws, and glues satisfactorily.

Q3: What are the primary application fields of IROKO, and in which countries is it predominantly used?

IROKO's versatility allows it to be used in a vast array of applications across the globe.

◆ Construction & Heavy Engineering: Widely used for exterior joinery, window frames, doors, and architectural cladding. Its durability makes it suitable for marine and freshwater construction, such as wharves, docks, and boat building (decks and planking).

◆ High-Quality Furniture & Joinery: A premier choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture, laboratory benches, kitchen tops, and high-class joinery. Its attractive appearance when finished makes it popular for commercial and residential projects.

◆ Flooring & Decking: Its hardness and wear resistance make it an excellent material for heavy-duty flooring in commercial spaces and elegant decking for luxury residences.

◆ Veneer & Paneling: Sliced into decorative veneers for paneling, doors, and furniture faces.

Geographically, IROKO is highly sought after in the European Union (particularly for window and door manufacturing), the United Kingdom, North America, and increasingly in Middle Eastern and Asian markets for high-end construction and interior design projects. Hong Kong Senheda Wood has consistently supplied IROKO to discerning clients in these regions.

Q4: What are the essential processing and usage precautions for IROKO?

While IROKO is an excellent timber, attention to detail during processing ensures optimal results:

◆ Dust Management: IROKO dust can be an irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. We recommend using effective dust extraction systems and personal protective equipment (PPE) in workshops.

◆ Tool Blunting: The wood's silica content can have a slight blunting effect on cutting tools. As mentioned, the use of carbide-tipped tools is advised for prolonged machining operations.

◆ Finishing: IROKO takes finishes, paints, and stains very well. For exterior applications, we recommend a high-quality wood preservative or finishing oil to maintain its colour and enhance its longevity, even though its natural durability is high.

◆ Gluing: Ensuring surfaces are clean and using appropriate adhesives for high-density hardwoods will guarantee strong, durable bonds.

Q5: As a seasoned supplier, how does Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited ensure the quality and sustainability of its IROKO?

Quality and sustainability are the cornerstones of our operation at Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited.

◆ Quality Assurance: Our quality control begins at the source. We work directly with trusted partners in Africa to select logs based on strict criteria for diameter, grain integrity, and minimal defects. Our processing partners employ state-of-the-art kilns for controlled drying. Each batch is inspected before shipment to meet our graded standards (e.g., FAS, Select & Better).

◆ Sustainable Sourcing: We are committed to responsible forestry. A significant portion of our IROKO is sourced from suppliers who adhere to sustainable management practices. We actively promote and supply timber that is compliant with international regulations and can provide documentation supporting legal harvest and chain of custody, aligning with frameworks like FSC and PEFC where available.

With over 16 years of expertise in African woods, Hong Kong Senheda Wood Limited is your reliable partner for premium IROKO. We offer a full range of services from sourcing and milling to customized sizing and logistics support.

For inquiries on IROKO, please contact us:

Website: www.shdtimber.com

WhatsApp: +8613418472425