Name: Azobé
Brand: Afromont
Availability: InStock

Specification Details

Specification	Details
Species	Lophira alata
Common Name	Azobé (Ekki)
Hardness (Janka)	3,680 lbf
Color	Reddish-brown to dark chocolate brown heartwood; lighter sapwood
Grain	Usually interlocked
Texture	Fine to medium
Natural Luster	Low
Durability	Extremely durable
Typical Uses	Heavy construction, marine, bridges, decking

Workability

Azobé is extremely difficult to work due to its very high density and hardness. Carbide-tipped tools are essential, and cutting speeds should be kept low. Pre-drilling is mandatory for all fasteners. It glues with difficulty and finishes are rarely applied in structural uses. Dust control and PPE are strongly recommended.

Common Uses

Marine construction, bridges, railway sleepers, harbor works, heavy-duty decking, and industrial flooring.

What Makes Azobé Unique

Azobé is renowned for its exceptional strength, density, and resistance to wear, even in the most demanding environments. It is one of the most durable hardwoods available and is often selected for critical structural and marine applications where failure is not an option.

Why Choose Azobé

Extreme Durability: Outstanding resistance to rot, insects, and marine borers
Exceptional Strength: Suitable for the heaviest structural loads
Long Service Life: Performs for decades in harsh conditions
Minimal Maintenance: Often used unfinished in exterior and marine settings

Why You Might Not Choose Azobé

Very Difficult Workability: Extremely hard and dense
Heavy Weight: Challenging to transport and install
High Tool Wear: Rapidly dulls cutting edges
Limited Decorative Use: Primarily structural rather than aesthetic

Climate Performance & Acclimation

Azobé performs exceptionally well in all climates, particularly in wet, coastal, and marine environments. Proper seasoning and professional handling are essential due to its density.

Ideal for Heavy-Duty & Marine Projects

Its unmatched durability makes Azobé ideal for bridges, docks, piers, seawalls, railway sleepers, and industrial decking.

Color and Grain Stability

Azobé’s dark reddish-brown color remains stable over time, with minimal surface change. Weathering may dull the surface, but structural integrity remains unaffected.