Properties and Uses

Chengal

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Neobalanocarpus heimii (Dipterocarpaceae). The timber is a heavy hardwood with a density of 915–980 kg m^–3air dry. The sapwood is light yellow and sharply defined from the heartwood, which is light yellow-brown with a distinct green tinge, darkening on exposure to dark purple-brown or rust-red. Texture is fine and even, with shallowly to deeply interlocked grain. The timber is very strong (Strength group A). It is slightly difficult to resaw and is easy to moderately easy to cross-cut. Planing is easy and the planed surface produced is smooth. The timber seasons slowly with moderate end-checking and surface-checking as the main sources of degrade. 13 mm boards take approximately 5 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 6 months. Shrinkage is fairly low, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.1% and tangential shrinkage averaging 2.6%. For kiln-drying, Schedule B is recommended. The timber dries very slowly and is extremely prone to surface-checking. 25 mm boards take approximately 30 days to kiln-dry from 50 to 10% moisture-content. The timber is very durable and no preservation treatment is necessary.

USES: The timber is suitable for all forms of heavy construction, railway sleepers, bridges, wharves, power-line poles, heavy duty furniture and heavy duty flooring. This timber is also a favourite for boat building.

Vernacular names applied include penak (P.M.). The name chengal is so popular, that many other species have been given vernacular names bearing the name chengal. Neobalanocarpus is a monotypic genus.