WOOD SPECIES:
Ebony (Gaboon Ebony)
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Diospyros crassiflora
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Ebony, Gaboon Ebony, African Ebony, Nigerian Ebony, Cameroon Ebony
TYPICAL USES:
Ebony lends itself to a variety of uses, including piano keys and musical instruments, inlay work, as well as carving and turning applications.
SOURCES:
Western Africa
AVG BENDING STRENGTH:
24,300 psi
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.90
AVG WEIGHT:
75 lbs/cu.ft.
SAPWOOD COLOR:
Little to no distinction can be made between the sapwood and heartwood colorations of Ebony lumber, as the wood is generally a uniform jet-black.
HEARTWOOD COLOR:
See Sapwood above.
GRAIN:
Ebony grain is typically straight with occasional interlocking.
TEXTURE:
Very fine texture with small, fine pores.
LUSTER:
Ebony typically exhibits a fine, almost metallic natural luster.
MOVEMENT:
Normally very stable with little to no dimensional movement, though somewhat susceptible to seasonal changes.
DURABILITY:
Ebony has a strong natural resistance to decay and insect attack.
BLUNTING EFFECT:
Typically very dense, Ebony can have a dulling effect on cutting tools.
CUTTING RESISTANCE:
Ebony lumber is somewhat resistant to cutting due to its extreme density. Requires very sharp machine tools.
PLANING:
Care must be taken to insure sharp cutters, appropriate feed rates and proper angles when planing Ebony lumber.
TURNING:
An excellent hardwood for turning applications. Sharp tools, proper speeds and angles will ensure the best results.
BORING:
Average to above-average boring properties.
GLUING:
The high natural oil content in Ebony wood products usually results in difficulties gluing.
NAILING:
Holds nails well with proper pre-boring.
SCREWING:
Holds screws well; pre-drilling is recommended.
POLISHING:
Ebony exhibits excellent polishing characteristics.
STAINING:
Takes finishes well, although clear finishes are recommended to allow the natural jet-black quality of Ebony to shine through.
