Scientific name

Intsia spp

Other names

English: Merbau

Geographic origin

Southeast Asia and Oceania

Description

&;8226; Sapwood: light yellow with greenish light shades
&;8226; Heartwood: orange brown when it is fresh wood that varies from light to dark bronze colour with the lights effects.
&;8226; Fiber: Straight. Slightly intertwined fibers are very frequent..
&;8226; Grain: medium size to rough

Capacity of being impregnated

&;8226; Sapwood: Capable of being impregnated
&;8226; Heartwood: No capable of being impregnated

Mechanization

&;8226; Sawing process: the hardness and high silica contents wear away tools and so makes sawing process difficult. In addition to that, oils can also produce irritation.
&;8226; Drying process: From low to very low speed. Little risk of deformation and crack formation.
&;8226; Planing process: Appart from hadness and silica difficulties, risk of repelling is very frequent due to the intertwined fibers.
&;8226; Gluing process: No difficulties arise excepting on very oily surfaces. In these cases, previous cleaning can be required.
&;8226; Nailing and screwing process: Pre-drilling is required
&;8226; Finish: No difficulties

Physical properties

&;8226; Apparent density at 12% humidity
810 kg/m3 heavy wood
&;8226; Dimensional stability
- Volumetric contraction coefficient 0.38 % stable wood.
- Relation between contractions 1,639 no tendency to deformity
&;8226; Hardness (Chaláis-Meudon) 6.4 hardwood

Mechanical properties

&;8226; Resistance to static flexion 1,350 kg/cm2
&;8226; Elasticity module 154,000 kg/cm2
&;8226; Resistance to compression 670 kg/cm2

Observations

Nowadays, its importation is limited to elaborated wood and not planed wood.