Sipo/utile
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Common Name(s): Utile, Sipo, Sipo Mahogany Scientific Name: Entandrophragma utile Distribution: West and Central Africa Tree Size: 150-200 ft (45-60 m) tall, 3-5 ft (1-1.5 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft3 (635 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .53, .63 Janka Hardness: 1,180 lbf (5,260 N) Modulus of Rupture: 15,060 lbf/in2 (103.8 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,689,000 lbf/in2 (11.65 GPa) Crushing Strength: 8,280 lbf/in2 (57.1 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 4.9%, Tangential: 6.9%, Volumetric: 11.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4 |
Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a uniform medium reddish brown. Well-defined sapwood is a paler yellow. Generally lacks any dramatic figuring of grain that is common in the closely related Sapele.
Grain/Texture: Grain is interlocked, with a medium uniform texture. Moderate natural luster.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; solitary and radial multiples; large pores in no specific arrangement, very few; reddish brown heartwood gum deposits occasionally present; parenchyma vasicentric, banded; narrow rays, spacing normal.
Rot Resistance: Rated as moderately durable to durable, with mixed reports on insect resistance.
Workability: Utile can be troublesome to work in some machining operations, (i.e., planing, routing, etc.), resulting in tearout due to its interlocked grain. It will also react when put into direct contact with iron, becoming discolored and stained. Turns, glues, and finishes well.
Odor: Utile has a mild, cedar-like scent while being worked.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Utile has been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
