West African Iroko is imported at grade FAS, mainly kiln dried. It is yellow when freshly machined which quickly changes to medium then darker brown (interior use). When used for exterior joinery such as garden furniture it will become silver-grey if left untreated. When machined, despite careful pre-straightening, some products may twist shortly after processing.
Thicknesses; 25mm, 32mm, 38mm, 50mm, 63mm, 75mm & 100mm. Widths mainly 130mm - 350mm, average about 230mm. Lengths; generally 2m - 4.5m, average 3m.
| Works fairly easily with hand or machine tools (some tearing of interlocked grain) | |
| Occasional deposits of calcium carbonate severely damage cutting edges | |
| Good nailing and gluing characteristics | |
| Moderate steam-bending properties | |
| May cause dermatitis in working wet wood | |
| Dries rapidly with minimum degrade | |
| Little movement in performance |
| Medium hardness, weight, bending and crushing strength | |
| Very low stiffness and shock resistance | |
| Moderate steam bending | |
| Good stability |
| The heartwood is very durable | |
| The heartwood is reported to be naturally resistant to decay | |
| Heartwood is susceptible to attack by dry-wood insects | |
| Sapwood is susceptible to attack by powder-post beetle | |
| Sapwood has been reported to be highly resistant to termite attack in Africa |
| Suggested as a teak substitute | |
| Joinery | |
| Boatbuilding | |
| Piling and marine work | |
| Domestic flooring | |
| Furniture | |
| Veneer | |
| Railroad crossties | |
| Cabinetwork | |
| Shop fittings |
