Investigation of Some Technological Properties of Three African Tropical Woods: Ayous, Iroko, Sapelli

Aim of study: This study aim to investigate the anatomical features, density values, surface roughness, hardness and color parameters of three African tropical hardwood species: Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon K.Schum.), Iroko (Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C.Berg) and Sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague & Hoyle). Material and method: Anatomical properties of tropical wood samples were determined by sectioning and preparation, and fiber characteristics were determined using the Schultze maceration method. Two density values were calculated for wood samples at 0% and 12% moisture content, namely oven dry and air dry, respectively. Surface roughness, hardness, and color were measured on radial and tangential surfaces. Main results: All three tropical woods have diffuse-porous. Sapelli was found to have the greatest density values, while Ayous had the smallest. It was determined that both radial and tangential surfaces of Sapelli were harder compared to other species; and according to the average roughness value, the roughness values of both radial and tangential surfaces of Iroko were smaller than the roughness values of other species. The lightness value (L*), one of the color parameters, was found to be greatest for Ayous and smallest for Sapelli. Research highlights: This study filled the gap in these research areas by determining especially the quantitative anatomical features in wood anatomy and surface features of Ayous, Iroko and Sapelli.