Introduction to Abura Timber
Abura represents timber from African trees of the Rubiaceae family, primarily Fleroya ledermannii, Fleroya rubrostipulata, and Fleroya stipulosa (along with their recognized synonyms under the genus Hallea). According to technical data published by CIRAD Tropix, log diameters typically range from 60 to 80 cm. This provides woodworkers with modest to medium-width slab potential, suitable for bookmatched river table tops, conference surfaces, and custom furniture boards. As confirmed by the Washington Convention (2025), Abura is not listed in the CITES Appendices.
Appearance and Visual Figure
Abura timber exhibits an understated, uniform light brown coloration. The sapwood is not demarcated from the heartwood, producing an even appearance across full board widths. Its texture is fine, while the grain is typically straight or slightly interlocked. While often visually quiet, CIRAD notes the possible presence of coloured veins, which can introduce subtle contrast next to a deep epoxy river pour.
Density, Hardness, and Mechanical Strength
Mature Abura lumber dried to 12% moisture content has an average specific gravity of 0.60. In practical workshop measurements, this translates to an air-dry density of approximately 37.5 lb/ft³, meaning a 2-inch-thick tabletop slab weighs around 6.2 lb per square foot. This places Abura firmly in the medium-weight category, making it manageable to handle in the shop without creating an excessively heavy finished table.
Its hardness is measured at 2.0 on the Monnin hardness scale. Woodworkers should note that the Monnin scale is an established French testing metric where higher values represent harder timber; it operates on a different indentation mechanism and must never be converted into a Janka rating. At 2.0, Abura possesses moderate surface resistance. Mechanically, the wood delivers balanced structural capacity, with a static bending strength of 78 MPa (11,310 psi), a modulus of elasticity of 11,020 MPa (1,598,000 psi), and a crushing strength of 46 MPa (6,670 psi).
Shrinkage and Stability Next to an Epoxy River
Balancing wood movement is the core challenge of any resin tabletop build. When wood shrinks or swells unevenly against a rigid epoxy core, high shear stress can develop along the glue line. Abura presents a total tangential shrinkage of 8.9% and a total radial shrinkage of 4.3%, yielding an St/Sr ratio of 2.1. Its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.44% per percent moisture content, with a fibre saturation point recorded at 32%.
A shrinkage ratio of 2.1 indicates a moderate tendency toward cupping or distortion across flatsawn faces if relative humidity fluctuates widely. Builders must ensure the timber is thoroughly conditioned to ambient interior equilibrium moisture levels prior to resin casting, sealing all exposed edges and faces to minimize moisture absorption.
Drying Characteristics and Shop Machining
Drying Abura is relatively straightforward. CIRAD reports a rapid to normal drying rate with no risk or very slight risk of distortion, a slight risk of checking, and no known specific risk of collapse or casehardening. Recommended kiln drying schedules employ temperatures between 55 and 65 °C (131 to 149 °F).
Despite its moderate density, Abura has a fairly high, variable blunting effect on cutting edges. CIRAD recommends stellite-tipped saw teeth and tungsten carbide cutters to maintain clean lines and prevent tearout, particularly along sections of slightly interlocked grain. Additionally, shop dust collection is essential, as the sawdust is occasionally irritant to operators during surfacing and sanding.
Fastening, Durability, and End-Uses
For mounting table bases and hardware, nailing and screwing properties are rated as good, but pre-boring is necessary to prevent splitting. Natural decay resistance is very low: heartwood durability against fungi is classified as Durability Class 5 (not durable), and it is rated Class S (susceptible) to both termites and dry-wood borers across the entire wood volume. Heartwood treatability is Class 2 (moderately permeable).
Because of this vulnerability to moisture and insects, Abura is restricted by its natural durability to Use Class 1: interior environments with no dampness. CIRAD lists extensive appropriate uses including cabinetwork for high-class furniture, general furniture components, interior joinery, interior panelling, mouldings, glued laminated components, and turned goods.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Fleroya ledermannii, Hallea ledermannii (synonymous), Fleroya rubrostipulata, Hallea rubrostipulata (synonymous), Fleroya stipulosa, Hallea stipulosa (synonymous) | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Light brown; texture fine; grain straight or interlocked; interlocked grain slight | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.60 | about 37.5 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 6.2 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 2.0 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 8.9 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 4.3 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 2.1 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.44 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 32 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 46 MPa | about 6,670 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 78 MPa | about 11,310 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 11,020 MPa | about 1,598,000 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 2 – moderately permeable | |
| Use class from natural durability | Class 1 – inside (no dampness) | |
| Drying | rate rapid to normal; distortion: no risk or very slight risk; checking: 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 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).
Is It a Good Epoxy Table Wood?
Abura is a solid, practical choice for strictly indoor epoxy river tables and decorative desks. Its low distortion risk during drying, predictable rapid-to-normal seasoning rate, and fine texture make it well-behaved in the shop. However, builders must account for its high tool-blunting characteristics by running carbide tooling, pre-bore all mounting fasteners, and never use the wood in damp or exterior environments due to its lack of natural decay resistance.
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: When selecting raw Abura slabs, inspect the inner core carefully for brittleheart—a natural defect noted in CIRAD data that can cause abrupt cross-grain fractures under structural load. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Abura.)