Machining qualities of sapwood and heartwood of two lesser utilized timber species

Azadirachta indica A. Juss and Senna siamea have not been widely advocated for use in the wood industry in Ghana due to a lack of technical information, categorizing them as lesser-used timber species. This study investigated the planning and turning properties of Neem (A. indica A. Juss) and Cassia (S. siamea), two wood species from Ghana. Sample preparation was performed according to the American Society for Testing and Materials International D1666-87-2004 method for evaluating machining qualities of wood. The results showed that Cassia heartwood, with an average of 76.3%, outperformed Neem heartwood, which averaged 70.1%, in the planning process. Optimal surface quality was achieved with a 15° rake angle and a feed speed of 9 m/min for both sapwood and heartwood of the species. The intensity of chipped or torn grain defects decreased with reduced rake angles of 15° at a feed speed of 9 m/min during planning. A rotation speed of 2000 rpm produced favorable turning outcomes for both Neem and Cassia, suggesting it as a suitable speed for machining these woods. The planning and turning properties of Neem and Cassia are comparable to those of Oak, Poplar, and Pine. Therefore, these two species could be utilized in the timber sector to alleviate pressure on declining primary timbers, reduce the destruction of vital timber species, sustain the timber industry, support sustainable forest management strategies, and enhance revenue generation in Ghana. Key words: Cassia, Neem, turning, planning, machining quality.