Bubinga

Scientific Name:
Guibourtia demeusei

Other Names and Species:
African Rosewood
Buvenga
Essingang
Kevazingo
Ovang
Waka

With original place in Central African teritory, this species color are prominent rose color with purple like striping. Bubinga is typically very uniform in color and graining. Bubinga undergoes a medium degree of color change, from a pinkish rose color when freshly milled to a burgundy red color when fully aged.

Weight:
Basic specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) mostly 0.65 to 0.78; air-dry density 50 to 60 pcf. Drying and Shrinkage: Timber must be seasoned slowly to avoid distortion and checking. Kiln schedule T2-C2 may be suitable for 4/4 stock and T2-C1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.0 to 7.6%; tangential 6.6 to 10.2%; volumetric 9.4 to 16.6%.

Use:
Usually found as a veneer for cabinetwork, furniture, paneling, knife handles, and fancy goods, bubinga is also utilized for wood flooring and inlays wherever fine graining and a rich reddish colouring material are desired.

General Characteristics:
A Fine-looking, impenetrable hardwood with a lustrous appearance, bubinga has a rose-colored background with gloomier purple striping.

This wood is commonly very homogeneous in graining and color, and the texture is good and even. When quarter-sawn, the figure of bubinga establishes considerable “flame,” while it exposes fascinating rosewood graining when flat-sawn.

When fully aged, bubinga has a rich burgundy red color. Bubinga, also known as African Rosewood, is a beautiful dense hardwood with a rose-colored background and darker purple striping. In the quartered design, Bubinga exhibits extensive “flame” figure and in flat sawn offers “rosewood” graining.

Working Properties:
The sapwood is more permeable than the heartwood and so is less resistant to preservative treatment. It is resistive to termite attack. Although bubinga acts easily with hand or power tools, it can sometimes be effortful to glue because of gum pockets. For nailing, it is recommended that holes be pre-drilled. This wood stains easily and has excellent finishing properties. Caution should be admitted when sanding, as contact with the wood scatter has been known to cause mild dermatitis.

Drying and Shrinkage:
Timber must be seasoned slowly to avoid distortion and checking. Kiln schedule T2-C2 may be suitable for 4/4 stock and T2-C1 for 8/4. Shrinkage green to ovendry: radial 4.0 to 7.6%; tangential 6.6 to 10.2%; volumetric 9.4 to 16.6%.

Durability:
Bubinga is a moderatly long-lasting wood.  Heartwood has good durability and is resistant to termite attack. Moderately resistant to marine borers.

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