Eveuss Wood for Custom Epoxy River Tables
Eveuss encompasses two African timber species from the Irvingiaceae family: Klainedoxa gabonensis and Klainedoxa trillesii. According to the technical sheet published by CIRAD Tropix, Eveuss provides striking visual character coupled with exceptional structural density. Logs typically range from 60 to 100 cm in diameter, presenting ample width for live-edge river tables or bookmatched tabletop designs. The timber is not listed in the CITES Appendices (Washington Convention 2025).
Visually, Eveuss heartwood displays a rich brown colour with a fine texture. Its grain runs straight or interlocked, frequently showing marked interlocked grain and wavy patterns. Sawn boards often exhibit light thin veins alongside flat sawn black veining. However, woodworkers should note that the sapwood is not clearly demarcated from the heartwood, and logs sometimes contain pockets with little or no duraminisation within the duramen.
Pros and Cons of Eveuss in River Table Builds
- Distinctive aesthetics: Warm brown tone highlighted by fine texture, wavy or marked interlocked grain, and contrasting black veining.
- Exceptional strength: Extreme crushing strength of 92 MPa (about 13,340 psi) and static bending strength of 168 MPa (about 24,370 psi).
- Low cupping tendency: A tangential-to-radial shrinkage ratio of 1.2 indicates balanced, uniform movement between tangential and radial faces.
- Substantial slab dimensions: Log diameters between 60 to 100 cm yield wide, workable slabs for table fabrication.
- Durable against wear: A Monnin hardness rating of 12.2 provides extreme dent and scratch resistance.
- Heavy finished weight: With a specific gravity of 1.06 (about 66.2 lb/ft³), a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 11.0 lb per sq ft, demanding robust bases.
- Difficult drying process: Classified by CIRAD as very difficult to dry, with a slow drying rate and a high risk of both checking and distortion.
- High total shrinkage: Total tangential shrinkage of 9.5 % and radial shrinkage of 7.7 % can exert intense stress on epoxy joints if indoor humidity swings wildly.
- Tool blunting: High hardness creates a fairly high blunting effect, requiring dedicated tungsten carbide tools and stellite-tipped saws.
- Insect vulnerability: Classified as Class S (susceptible) to dry-wood borers throughout all parts of the wood.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Klainedoxa gabonensis, Klainedoxa trillesii | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Brown; texture fine; grain straight or interlocked; interlocked grain marked | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 1.06 | about 66.2 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 11.0 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 12.2 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 9.5 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 7.7 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.2 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.77 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 25 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.34 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 92 MPa | about 13,340 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 168 MPa | about 24,370 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 25,620 MPa | about 3,716,000 psi |
| Decay (fungi) resistance | Durability class 1 to 2 (v) – very durable to durable ("v" = | |
| Termite resistance | Class M – moderately durable | |
| Dry-wood borer resistance | Class S – susceptible (risk in all the wood) | |
| Heartwood treatability | Class 3 – poorly permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 4 (above-ground as defined in FD P 20-651) to class 3.2, subject to sound drainage design. | |
| Drying | rate slow; distortion: high risk; checking: high risk; collapse: no known specific risk; casehardening: no known specific risk | |
| Suggested kiln program temperatures | 45–65 °C | about 113–149 °F |
| Machining | blunting fairly high; saw teeth: stellite-tipped; 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).
Hardness, Density, and Epoxy Bond Behavior
The hardness of Eveuss is recorded at 12.2 on the Monnin hardness scale. The Monnin scale is a French standardized measurement where higher numbers indicate harder wood; it is not a Janka rating and must never be converted into one. At 12.2 Monnin, Eveuss is extremely dense and hard. Combined with a specific gravity of 1.06 at 12% moisture content, Eveuss does not float in water. In a custom river table, this high density yields an ultra-durable tabletop surface, but builders must account for its substantial dead weight when designing structural support legs.
When embedding wood slabs next to a cast resin river, dimensional stability is critical. Eveuss has a fibre saturation point of 25 %, total tangential shrinkage of 9.5 %, total radial shrinkage of 7.7 %, and a volumetric shrinkage coefficient of 0.77 % per % moisture content. Fortunately, the ratio of tangential to radial shrinkage (St/Sr) is 1.2. Because this ratio is close to 1.0, slabs exhibit a low tendency to cup or twist as moisture levels fluctuate. Nevertheless, because overall shrinkage percentages are high, any moisture cycling will create shear stress at the resin-wood interface, making thorough sealing essential.
Build Notes: Slab Selection, Machining, and Finishing
Slab Selection and Durability
Examine slabs carefully for internal consistency. Slabs may contain sections of inner heartwood that lack full duraminisation, and the sapwood is often poorly demarcated. While Eveuss heartwood has a fungal decay rating of class 1 to 2 (v) (very durable to durable, with “v” indicating high variability), it is rated Class S for xylophagous dry wood borers, meaning the entire log is susceptible. Slabs must be inspected for boring insect channels before pouring epoxy.
Drying Risks and Moisture Control
Eveuss drying is rated by CIRAD Tropix as very difficult. The wood dries slowly and carries a high risk of distorting and checking, although casehardening and collapse show no known specific risk. When using a kiln, recommended drying schedules progress from 45 °C to 65 °C (about 113 °F to 149 °F). Slabs must be fully dried and equalized to the shop’s target moisture level before casting epoxy; pouring against partially dried Eveuss will result in severe edge checking and bond failure.
Machining and Fastener Prep
Due to sheer wood density and hardness—even without the presence of silica—Eveuss exerts a fairly high blunting effect on cutter edges and demands substantial motor power. Always use tungsten carbide cutting tools and stellite-tipped saw blades. Slicing and peeling are not recommended. When assembling table components, direct nailing or driving screws without preparation will split the wood; pre-boring is strictly necessary for all mechanical fasteners.
Bonding, Sealing, and Uses
Because of its very high specific gravity and poorly permeable heartwood (treatability Class 3), gluing must strictly follow standard adhesive best practices. Apply a penetrating seal coat along the live edges per the resin manufacturer’s data sheet to prevent outgassing and air entrapment during deep pours. Beyond custom tabletops, listed end-uses in CIRAD data include interior joinery, indoor staircases, industrial or heavy flooring, heavy carpentry, vehicle or container flooring, bridges (parts not in contact with water or ground), and wood frame houses.
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: CIRAD Tropix documentation highlights that 2023 durability testing on Klainedoxa gabonensis identified two distinct botanical varieties: the large-leaved typical form without internal sapwood, which demonstrates superior fungal durability, and the narrow-leaved variety (var. microphylla), which exhibits lower natural durability. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Eveuss.)