Abstract:
This work was conducted to determine some
physical and mechanical properties of
Manilkara discolor, a lesser-known and
lesser-utilized timber species from Kilindi
District Tanzania. Three large trees free from
visible defects were selected, felled and small
sample pieces of 20 mm x 20 mm x 60 mm for
compression, 20 mm x 20 mm x 20 mm for
shear, 20 mm x 20 mm x 45 mm for cleavage
and 20 mm x 20 mm x 300 mm for static
bending, comprising 72 pieces for each test
were prepared. The sample pieces were tested
in laboratory using standard methods. The
wood was brownish and attractive, fine
textured with appealing figure and attaining
good finish when plained. The results showed
the species to have wood basic Density of 765
kg m -3 , Modulus of Elasticity of 14,341 N
mm -2 , Modulus of Rupture of 119.48 Nmm -2 ,
Work to Maximum Load of 0.132 mm Nmm -2
and Work to Total Fracture of 0.284 mm
Nmm -2 . The Compression parallel to grain
was 41.69 Nmm -2 , Shear parallel to grain was
18.65 Nmm -2 and Cleavage Strength was
34.97 Nmm -2 . Manilkara discolor wood was
found to have desirable values and can be
used to substitute other species which are
currently in danger of over-exploitation.
