An Overview of Anzèm / Nténe for River Tables
Anzèm, also known as nténé (Copaifera religiosa), is an African timber that offers attractive visual characteristics and cooperative workshop traits. Documented thoroughly by the timber researchers at CIRAD in their Tropix technical series, this species frequently serves as a substitute for walnut in fine woodworking, current furniture components, interior joinery, and flooring.
For builders constructing custom epoxy river tables and hybrid timber tabletops, understanding the technical behavior of Anzèm is critical. From its dimensional shrinkage rates to its specific density and drying characteristics, here is what the data indicates for custom epoxy projects.
Aesthetics, Grain, and Slab Sizing
Heartwood from Copaifera religiosa features a pale pink-brown to reddish-brown tone, often displaying a distinct copper tinge with darker veining. Its sapwood is clearly demarcated, whitish to pale pink, and measures between 10 to 15 cm in thickness. The wood displays a medium texture with straight or slightly interlocked grain.
CIRAD notes that logs typically range from 80 to 100 cm in diameter. This substantial diameter gives the species great potential for yielding wide, continuous boards or dramatic live-edge slabs suitable for full-size dining and conference tables. CIRAD records note frequent resin exudation, which builders must address when preparing slab faces and live edges for casting.
Weight, Hardness, and Mechanical Strength
At 12% moisture content, Anzèm has a specific gravity of 0.58. In standard shop terms, this corresponds to an average density of about 36.2 lb/ft³, meaning a 2-inch-thick slab weighs roughly 6.0 lb per square foot. This places it in a moderate weight class—substantial enough for sturdy furniture without becoming unmanageable during shop transport.
On the French Monnin hardness scale, Anzèm rates at 2.6 at 12% moisture content. The Monnin scale measures surface resistance where higher numbers represent harder wood; this is not a Janka value and should not be directly equated to one. A Monnin score of 2.6 indicates moderate surface hardness, suitable for standard interior furniture surfaces. In terms of mechanical strength, it offers a crushing strength of 47 MPa (about 6,820 psi), static bending strength (MOR) of 81 MPa (about 11,750 psi), and a modulus of elasticity (MOE) of 10,340 MPa (about 1,500,000 psi).
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Copaifera religiosa | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Red brown; texture medium; grain straight or interlocked; interlocked grain slight | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.58 | about 36.2 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 6.0 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 2.6 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 7.0 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 5.3 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.3 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.33 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 33 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 47 MPa | about 6,820 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 81 MPa | about 11,750 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 10,340 MPa | about 1,500,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 5 – not durable | |
| Termite resistance | Class S – susceptible | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class S – susceptible (risk in all the wood) | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 3-4 – poorly or not permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 1 – inside (no dampness) | |
| Drying | rate rapid; distortion: no risk or very slight risk; checking: no risk or very slight risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 55–65 °C | about 131–149 °F |
| Machining | blunting normal; saw teeth: ordinary or alloy steel; cutting tools: ordinary | |
| Nailing and screwing | Good | |
| 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).
Shrinkage, Movement, and River Table Stability
Whenever wood is permanently bonded to rigid epoxy resin, seasonal shrinkage and swelling must be calculated to prevent stress along the bond line. CIRAD measurements establish that Anzèm has a total tangential shrinkage of 7.0% and a total radial shrinkage of 5.3% from green to oven-dry.
The resulting tangential-to-radial shrinkage ratio (St/Sr) is 1.3. A ratio this close to 1.0 represents very uniform movement across both grain axes, resulting in a low tendency toward cupping or warping. Its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.33% per percent change in moisture content, alongside a fiber saturation point of 33%. When fully dried down to target equilibrium moisture levels, Anzèm provides predictable dimensional stability along an epoxy river joint.
Drying, Machining, and Assembly in the Shop
Drying characteristics for Anzèm are exceptionally favorable according to CIRAD data. The wood features a rapid drying rate with no risk or very slight risk of distortion, and no risk or very slight risk of checking. There is no known specific risk of collapse or casehardening. Standard industrial kiln schedules list drying temperatures between 55 °C and 65 °C (131 °F to 149 °F).
In the workshop, tooling requirements are straightforward:
- Blunting effect: Normal wear on cutting edges.
- Tooling: Ordinary cutting tools and saw blades with ordinary or alloy steel teeth machine the wood cleanly.
- Fasteners: Nailing and screwing performance is rated as good for assembling substructures and table bases.
- Surface prep: Because CIRAD notes frequent resin exudation, any natural oils or pitch on bonding faces should be thoroughly cleaned and prepped to ensure complete contact with the liquid epoxy.
Durability and Environmental Classification
Anzèm is categorized under natural durability class 5 (not durable against fungi) and is classified as Class S (susceptible) to both dry-wood borers and termites. Heartwood treatability is rated Class 3-4 (poorly or not permeable). CIRAD designates its natural durability for Class 1 end-uses only: strictly inside where there is no dampness. Preservative treatment is required against dry-wood borers, and use is not recommended under temporary or permanent humidification. According to the Washington Convention (2025), Copaifera religiosa is not listed in the CITES Appendices.
Is It a Good Epoxy Table Wood?
For strictly indoor furniture, Anzèm / nténé makes an excellent wood for epoxy river tables. Its 1.3 shrinkage ratio provides reliable stability next to cured resin, log diameters of 80 to 100 cm yield wide slabs, and the timber dries rapidly with minimal risk of checking or warping. Provided the build is kept in a dry interior setting and natural resin exudations on the wood surface are cleaned prior to pouring, it serves as a handsome, copper-toned alternative to walnut for custom tabletop projects.
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: Keep in mind that Anzèm features a substantial sapwood band measuring 10 to 15 cm thick. Because CIRAD rates dry-wood borer risk as Class S across all of the wood, any live edges that retain sapwood must be carefully inspected and treated with an appropriate preservative before pouring your table. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Anzèm / nténé.)