Mukulungu wood: Properties, Characteristics & Uses

Mukulungu wood, also known as African rosewood or Red mahogany, is a highly prized hardwood from Central and West Africa, particularly found in countries like Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is renowned for its reddish-brown heartwood, fine texture, and interlocked grain, making it an attractive choice for high-end furniture, flooring, and decorative veneers. With a density ranging from 800 to 1,000 kg/m³, Mukulungu is incredibly durable and resistant to termites, fungi, and decay, ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. Despite its workability challenges due to its hardness, it finishes beautifully, offering a smooth and glossy surface.

Mukulungu Wood General Information

Mukulungu is a large tree of the forests of West and Central Africa that can reach 50 m high and 2 m in diameter. It is a very durable wood, naturally covering class 5 (use in marine environment or brackish water): it is used for bridges, railway sleepers, hydraulic works and other uses requiring solid and resistant materials.

Mukulungu wood Properties

Color and Texture

The wood is red brown with darker brown veins. The sapwood is clearly demarcated. The scale-like bark is fibrous with strong red marks. The grain is straight or interlocked and the texture is fine. The grain is sometimes oblique. Pores may be filled with tannin, which can form calcium marks.

Density and Strength

Afrormosia is a substantial tree, growing to heights of 30-50 meters (98-164 feet). Its straight, cylindrical trunk measures 60-160 cm (2-5 ft) in diameter and is branch-free up to 30 meters (98 feet). The sapwood, about 3 cm (1.2 in) thick. Raw density is 0.95 g/cm3, bending strength and compression strength is 150 N/mm2 and 74 N/mm2, respectively. Mukulungu is considered an excellent, albeit costly, option for applications such as staircases, windows, and flooring.

Workability

Mukulungu is a hardwood known for its excellent mechanical properties and superior bending strength. It is highly durable, resistant to weather and water. Due to its extreme hardness, it requires special tools for processing, and the blunting effect on tools is significant. Peeling is not recommended, though slicing yields good results. The wood requires considerable power to cut, and the sawdust can be very irritating to the throat and nose. While nailing is effective, pre-boring is necessary. Gluing is adequate but only for interior uses. Mukulungu dries slowly and must be carefully managed during the drying process. 

Mukulungu Wood Technical Properties

Mukulungu Wood Advantages

• Exceptional Durability: Mukulungu wood is highly durable and resistant to wear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas and long-lasting applications.
• High Mechanical Strength: It has excellent mechanical properties, including superior bending strength and compression strength, which make it ideal for structural uses.
• Weather and Water Resistance: Mukulungu is resistant to weather and water, making it a good choice for both indoor and outdoor applications where exposure to the elements is a concern.
• Attractive Appearance: The wood has a beautiful, natural grain pattern that enhances its aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice for decorative purposes.
• Good Nailing and Gluing Properties: While it requires pre-boring, nailing is effective, and it glues well for interior applications, allowing for versatile use in joinery and furniture making.
• Versatility: Due to its strength and durability, Mukulungu wood is suitable for a wide range of uses, including flooring, staircases, windows, and high-quality furniture.

Mukulungu Wood Disadvantages

• Limited Availability: Dibetou wood is not as readily available in all parts of the world. This can make it challenging to source and may result in higher costs for transportation and acquisition. 
• Difficult to Work With: Due to its extreme hardness, Mukulungu requires special tools for processing. The high blunting effect on tools also means more frequent sharpening or replacements are needed.
• Health Hazards: The sawdust from Mukulungu can be very irritating to the throat and nose, posing health risks to workers if proper protective measures are not taken.
• Slow Drying Process: Mukulungu dries slowly and must be carefully managed during the drying process to prevent defects like warping or cracking.
• Pre-boring Required for Nailing: While nailing is effective, pre-boring is necessary, which adds an extra step to the construction process.
• Environmental Concerns: If not sourced sustainably, the use of Mukulungu can contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation. It’s important to ensure that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.

Mukulungu Lumber Uses 

• Flooring: Its hardness and wear resistance make Mukulungu an excellent choice for high-traffic areas, providing long-lasting and attractive flooring options.
• Staircases: The wood’s strength and durability make it ideal for constructing staircases that can withstand heavy use.
• Windows and Doors: Mukulungu’s weather resistance and stability make it suitable for exterior applications such as windows and doors.
• Furniture: The wood’s appealing grain and high durability are highly valued in furniture making, including tables, chairs, and cabinets.
• Joinery and Interior Woodwork: Its aesthetic qualities and mechanical properties make Mukulungu a popular choice for interior joinery, paneling, and decorative woodwork.
• Decking: Due to its resistance to weather and water, Mukulungu is often used for outdoor decking, where durability and longevity are crucial.
• Marine Construction: The wood’s resistance to water makes it suitable for certain marine applications, such as boat building and dock construction.
• Heavy Construction: Mukulungu’s high strength and durability make it useful in heavy construction projects, including structural beams and supports.
• High-End Cabinetry: Its attractive appearance and durability are ideal for high-end cabinetry and bespoke woodworking projects.

Where to buy Mukulungu Wood in bulk at the best price?

If you are looking for a place to buy high-quality, affordable Mukulungu wood, K-TIMBER is a great option. We are a leading African timber supplier in the world, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. We specialize in Mukulungu lumber and a variety of other imported African woods in a variety of sizes, meeting all customer requirements, even the most demanding ones..

We have the capacity to supply Mukulungu wood in large quantities up to 20,000 m3/month to serve your large and small construction projects. All types of wood at K-TIMBER are subject to strict wood inspection procedures from the time of logging, processing, and drying to the packaging, transportation, and delivery to customers.

K-TIMBER is confident that we will provide you with a stable, high-quality Mukulungu wood supply at a price that is 20% cheaper than the market. We are here to support you in any interior, flooring, or other projects.

Contact K-TIMBER today for a consultation and the best price!