Working with Andoung in Custom Epoxy Tabletops
Andoung is an African timber encompassing several botanical species, including Aphanocalyx hedinii, Bikinia coriacea, and related species formerly grouped under Monopetalanthus. According to the CIRAD Tropix technical sheet, this hardwood is frequently used in furniture components, flooring, and interior joinery. If you are evaluating Andoung slabs or dimensional boards for an epoxy river table, understanding its mechanical and physical behavior is essential before pouring resin.
| Property | CIRAD Tropix value | What it means / US units |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Aphanocalyx hedinii, Monopetalanthus hedinii (synonymous), Aphanocalyx heitzii, Monopetalanthus heitzii (synonymous), Bikinia coriacea, Monopetalanthus coriacea (synonymous), Bikinia durandii, Monopetalanthus durandii (synonymous), Bikinia pellegrini, Monopetalanthus pellegrini (synonymous), Bikinia p.p., Monopetalanthus p.p. (synonymous) | |
| Colour / texture / grain | Pinkish brown; texture medium; grain interlocked; interlocked grain marked | |
| Specific gravity (12% MC) | 0.59 | about 36.8 lb/ft³; a 2-inch-thick slab weighs about 6.1 lb per sq ft |
| Monnin hardness (12% MC) | 3.0 | French hardness scale; higher = harder (not a Janka value) |
| Total tangential shrinkage | 7.4 % | green to oven-dry |
| Total radial shrinkage | 4.0 % | green to oven-dry |
| Ratio St/Sr | 1.9 | closer to 1 = less cupping tendency |
| Coefficient of volumetric shrinkage | 0.46 % per % MC | volume change per 1% change in moisture content |
| Fibre saturation point | 28 % | |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/(m·K) | |
| Crushing strength (12% MC) | 48 MPa | about 6,960 psi |
| Static bending strength (12% MC) | 90 MPa | about 13,050 psi |
| Modulus of elasticity (12% MC) | 14,010 MPa | about 2,032,000 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 normal to slow; distortion: high 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 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). Notes. Frequently confused with EKABA (Tetraberlinia spp.). |
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 Andoung wood look like, and how wide are the slabs?
Andoung displays a warm pinkish brown to red brown color with a medium texture. The grain is interlocked, and the CIRAD data sheet specifically notes that the interlocked grain is marked. Sapwood measures between 5 to 15 cm thick and is not clearly demarcated from the heartwood. In log form, trees reach diameters between 80 to 100 cm, giving builders good potential for medium-to-wide live-edge slabs. Builders inspecting raw timber should check carefully for defects, as technical notes highlight the presence of possible wind shakes.
How heavy and hard is Andoung for a tabletop build?
Andoung sits in a moderate weight category. At 12% moisture content, its specific gravity averages 0.59, corresponding to a density of about 36.8 lb/ft³. In the shop, a standard 2-inch-thick tabletop slab weighs approximately 6.1 lb per square foot. In terms of surface resistance, it registers a 3.0 on the Monnin hardness scale. Note that Monnin is an empirical French test where higher numbers reflect harder wood (and it is not converted to Janka). A rating of 3.0 represents moderate hardness that resists everyday interior use while remaining comfortable to work with standard equipment.
How stable is Andoung when bonded to an epoxy river?
Stability across moisture shifts is critical for deep-pour river builds. Andoung has a total tangential shrinkage of 7.4% and a total radial shrinkage of 4.0%, yielding a tangential-to-radial shrinkage ratio of 1.9. Its fiber saturation point is 28%, and its coefficient of volumetric shrinkage is 0.46% per 1% change in moisture content. Because the shrinkage ratio is 1.9, flat-sawn sections carry a moderate tendency to cup relative to quarter-sawn stock. Ensuring the timber is thoroughly acclimated to indoor equilibrium moisture content prior to casting is vital so the wood does not exert differential stress against the rigid cured epoxy.
What drying risks should woodworkers watch out for?
The CIRAD Tropix data sheet classifies the drying rate of Andoung as normal to slow. While checking presents only a slight risk, and collapse or casehardening have no known specific risks, distortion carries a high risk. CIRAD warns that Andoung must be dried with care to avoid the risks of distortion in the presence of highly interlocked grain. For kiln operations, recommended drying programs use temperatures from 55 to 65 °C (131 to 149 °F).
How does Andoung handle cutting, machining, and surface prep?
In the shop, Andoung produces a normal blunting effect on tools. Standard cutting tools and saw blades with ordinary or alloy steel teeth are entirely adequate. However, the marked interlocked grain introduces practical challenges during surfacing. The CIRAD technical sheet notes some difficulties in the presence of highly interlocked grain, along with a tendency to woolliness. Woodworkers should use sharp cutters and make light passes when flattening slabs to prevent torn or fuzzy grain before sealing and pouring epoxy.
How does Andoung perform with fasteners and assembly?
For table bases and structural stretchers, Andoung offers good nailing and screwing properties. Mechanically, mature wood exhibits a crushing strength of 48 MPa (about 6,960 psi), a static bending strength of 90 MPa (about 13,050 psi), and a modulus of elasticity of 14,010 MPa (about 2,032,000 psi). These figures indicate a strong, rigid substrate capable of supporting wide spans and heavy steel bases.
Is Andoung durable enough for indoor furniture, and is it CITES-restricted?
Natural durability of Andoung heartwood is low. It is classified under durability class 5 (not durable) against wood-decay fungi, and it is susceptible (Class S) to both termites and dry-wood borers across all of the wood. Consequently, its natural durability limits it strictly to Use Class 1: inside without dampness. For an indoor dining table or conference desk, this is perfectly acceptable provided the piece remains in a dry interior environment. Regarding trade regulations, Andoung is not listed in the CITES Appendices (2025). The timber is also frequently confused in commerce with Ekaba (Tetraberlinia spp.).
Sources
Published October 31, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original graphic by BigEpoxy.com.
Staff note: Because CIRAD identifies Andoung heartwood as moderately permeable (treatability Class 2), edge-grain surfaces will readily accept penetrating epoxy seal coats, which helps prevent deep resin pours from pulling out air bubbles along the river channel. (Source: CIRAD Tropix 7 technical sheet: Andoung.)