Using Zebrano in Custom Wood and Epoxy Tabletops
Known across the woodworking world as Zebrawood, Zebrano stands out immediately for its striking zebra-like striping. When paired with casting resin in river tables or solid wood tops, it offers dramatic contrast. However, its physical density and movement characteristics demand careful attention during fabrication. According to the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet, Zebrano encompasses two primary botanical species: Microberlinia bisulcata and Microberlinia brazzavillensis, harvested from African forests in countries such as Cameroon and Gabon.
Below are key questions and technical answers for woodworkers and tabletop buyers planning a build with Zebrano.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Microberlinia bisulcata, Microberlinia brazzavillensis | |
| Other trade names | Zebrawood | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Light brown; texture coarse; grain interlocked; interlocked grain slight | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.79 | about 49.3 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 8.2 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 5.0 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 11.0 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 8.8 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.3 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.56 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 30 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.26 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 62 MPa | about 8,990 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 110 MPa | about 15,950 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 17,520 MPa | about 2,541,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 3 – moderately durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class M – moderately durable | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class D – durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 3 – poorly permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 2 – inside or under cover (dampness possible) | |
| Drying | rate slow; distortion: high risk; checking: high risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 53–62 °C | about 127–144 °F |
| Machining | blunting normal; saw teeth: ordinary or alloy steel; cutting tools: tungsten carbide | |
| Nailing and screwing | Good but pre-boring necessary | |
| CITES status | This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). |
Values from the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet (average values for mature wood, 12% moisture content where noted). US-unit conversions are calculated by BigEpoxy (1 MPa = 145.04 psi; density = specific gravity × 62.43 lb/ft³).
What does Zebrano look like in an epoxy tabletop?
Zebrano wood features a distinct natural figure. CIRAD Tropix describes the heartwood colour as yellow brown to light brown, patterned with distinctive dark brown veins. Its texture is coarse, and the grain is typically interlocked, usually classified as slight, though it can sometimes be highly interlocked. The logs range from 60 to 100 cm in diameter and possess a clearly demarcated sapwood band measuring 6 to 10 cm thick. When incorporated into an epoxy river design, the contrast between the light-and-dark striping and cured resin creates an eye-catching focal point.
How heavy and hard is Zebrano?
Zebrano is a dense, stout hardwood. At 12% moisture content, it has an average specific gravity of 0.79, corresponding to a density of about 49.3 lb/ft³. For builders calculating table base requirements, a 2-inch-thick Zebrano slab weighs roughly 8.2 lb per sq ft. On the French Monnin hardness scale, it scores 5.0 at 12% moisture content. (Note that the Monnin scale is a metric indentation test where higher values mean harder wood; it is not equivalent to a North American Janka rating and should never be directly converted). Zebrano also brings significant structural stiffness, with a static bending strength of 110 MPa (about 15,950 psi), a crushing strength of 62 MPa (about 8,990 psi), and a modulus of elasticity of 17,520 MPa (about 2,541,000 psi).
How does Zebrano handle shrinkage and movement next to epoxy?
Epoxy does not expand or contract with ambient humidity changes, meaning the natural shrinkage of the flanking wood slabs can create stress along the epoxy-wood bondline. Zebrano has a high total tangential shrinkage of 11.0% and a total radial shrinkage of 8.8% from green to oven-dry, alongside a fibre saturation point of 30%. Its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.56% per % MC change.
Its ratio of tangential to radial shrinkage (St/Sr) is 1.3, which is relatively close to 1, helping reduce the tendency to cup. Nevertheless, because its total shrinkage numbers are elevated, builders must ensure slabs are thoroughly dried to the indoor equilibrium moisture content of the destination room before pouring resin. Following the resin maker’s instructions for surface prep and applying a proper seal coat will help ensure strong mechanical adhesion.
What are the drying risks and kiln considerations?
Drying Zebrano requires patience and care. The CIRAD Tropix sheet notes that Zebrano has a slow drying rate, with a high risk of distortion and a high risk of checking. Fortunately, there is no known specific risk of casehardening or collapse. CIRAD advises that sawn timber should be properly stacked, dried slowly, and cut preferably on the quarter to mitigate distortion. Suggested kiln drying temperatures run between 53 °C and 62 °C (about 127 °F to 144 °F) across the drying phases.
How does Zebrano machine and shape in the shop?
Despite its hardness, Zebrano exhibits a normal blunting effect on tooling. For sawing, ordinary or alloy steel teeth are recommended, while tungsten carbide is advised for cutting tools. Because the wood features interlocked grain, CIRAD highlights a risk of tearing during machining if the grain is highly interlocked. Sharp blades, shallow passes, and clean feed rates help avoid tearout on tabletop surfaces.
What fastening and assembly steps are required?
When joining slabs or attaching heavy steel bases, Zebrano provides good holding power for screws and nails, but pre-boring is necessary to prevent splitting. Heartwood treatability is classified as Class 3 (poorly permeable), which means liquids do not easily penetrate deep into the heartwood. Builders should always follow the adhesive or resin manufacturer’s technical data sheet regarding surface preparation and clamping pressure.
What are Zebrano’s durability ratings, CITES status, and listed end-uses?
Zebrano heartwood is rated Durability class 3 (moderately durable) against xylophagous fungi, Class M (moderately durable) against termites, and Class D (durable) against dry-wood borers, where risk is limited to the sapwood. Based on natural durability, it falls into Use class 2: inside or under cover, where dampness is possible. For environmental compliance, CIRAD confirms this species is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025). Beyond high-class cabinetwork and furniture, listed end-uses include interior panelling, sliced veneer, tool handles, turned goods, wood-ware, and wood frame housing.
Sources
Published October 30, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: For exterior or wet placements, CIRAD notes that Zebrano requires preservative treatment in case of temporary humidification and warns that use is not recommended in cases of permanent humidification. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Zebrano.)