Ekki Timber – Uses, Grades, Durability & Comparison
Ekki
Why use Ekki
What is Ekki timber?
Ekki timber (also known as Azobé) is an extremely dense, durable tropical hardwood, widely recognised for its strength, stability, and resistance to harsh environments. It is one of the toughest commercial timbers available and is commonly specified for projects where long service life and structural performance are essential.
Ekki is sourced from the species Lophira alata, a high-density hardwood native to West and Central Africa. It is significantly heavier and stronger than many commonly used hardwoods, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Why use Ekki timber?
Ekki timber is a top choice for projects requiring exceptional durability, strength, and long-term stability. Its remarkable density allows it to withstand heavy loads and extreme conditions, making it ideal for demanding structural and construction applications.
Its natural resistance to decay, moisture, and marine borers ensures outstanding performance in harsh and water-exposed environments. This makes Ekki particularly suitable for marine projects such as docks, jetties, bridges, and other waterfront structures where longevity is critical.
Ekki also offers excellent dimensional stability, with minimal movement or warping over time — even in fluctuating climates. This reliability makes it a trusted and long-lasting hardwood for high-stress construction and marine applications.
If you think Ekki timber might be the right choice for your project, contact us today for expert advice and competitive pricing.
Availability and Dimensions
At East Brothers, we maintain a good stock of Ekki roundwood, ready to be sawn to your specified dimensions. Our mill specialises in bespoke timber cutting, allowing us to tailor our cutting to your requirements as long as they can be milled from the log.
Our maximum cutting dimensions are:
- Length: 14 meters
- Width: 500 millimeters
- Height: 500 millimeters
For dimensions exceeding these limits, please contact us directly to discuss potential solutions.
If you’re ready to begin your timber journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert sales team on 01794 330198. We’re here to help!
Saw milling process
- Order placedTimber allocated in Mill01Our friendly experts will assist you in finalising your order and entering it into our system.
- CuttingTimber is cut in mill02Your order will be milled to match your specified dimensions.
- Additional processesTimber is treated03If your order requires additional processes, such as kiln drying, planing, or cross-cutting, this will happen at this stage
- Order readyTimber is finished04Once your order is completed, we will notify you that it is ready for collection. If you’ve requested delivery, we will reach out to arrange it.
Technical Specification
Common Name(s): Ekki
Scientific Name: Lophira atlata
We can visually grade hardwoods to BS 5756:2007.
D70
Subject to Timber sizes and requirements
Average Dried Weight: 1,065 kg/m3
Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .82, 1.06
Janka Hardness: 14,330 N
Modulus of Rupture: 195.8 MPa
Elastic Modulus: 18.99 GPa
Crushing Strength: 95.8 MPa
Shrinkage: Radial: 8.0%, Tangential: 11.1%, Volumetric: 18.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.4