Merbau

The heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when newly cut, but matures to brown or dark red-brown; there can be moderate to high colour variation. The grain can be straight, wavy or interlocked, and may form a ribbon figure on radial surfaces. Merbau has a moderately coarse but even texture with an oily feel to it. The surface can often be lustrous, but vessel cavities may contain yellow deposits that can dye cloth. The sapwood is clearly demarcated from the heartwood and is whitish-grey to yellowish-brown.

Properties:

It is moderately heavy and hard, with medium stiffness, bending strength and resistance to shock loads. The wood has moderate steam-bending properties, but high crushing strength. It works well with hand tools, but has a severe blunting effect. Tungsten-carbide-tipped (TCT) blades are advised for sawing, which can be difficult because of the gum content. A reduced angle is recommended for planing, to reduce tear-out and pick-up on quartersawn stock. It turns, bores, mortises, glues, stains, varnishes and paints well. It needs pre-boring for nailing and screwing, and sands satisfactorily.

Seasoning:

The wood seasons well with little degrade. Sealing is recommended to prevent end checking. Movement in service is small.

Durability:

The heartwood is durable and very resistant to preservative treatment. The sapwood is vulnerable to insect attack, but permeable to preservatives.

Typical Uses:

Furniture, quality joinery, office furniture, kitchen cabinets, boatbuilding, flooring including parquet, striking-tool handles, heavy construction and railway sleepers (railroad ties). Interestingly figured logs are sliced for decorative veneer.

Intsia bijuga and I. palembanica (Leguminosae)

Syn. for I. palembanica: I. bakeri Also called:

hintzy, ipil, mirabow, kubok, lumpho, zolt, kwila, vesi

Grows:

Madagascar, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam and many western Pacific islands.

Weight per Board Foot:

4.6 lbs

Typical dry weight:

56lb/ft3 (900kg/m3)

Specific Gravity:

.90

Typical Height:

130ft (40m)

Trunk Diameter:

5ft (1.5m)