Kekabu |
The timber is soft and light with a density of 415-545 kg/m3 air dry.Based on the graveyard tests of untreated specimens under natural conditions conducted at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the wood is classified as non-durable with an average service life of about 0.9 year (Mohd. Dahlan & Tam, 1985). When the timber was treated with creosote to an average absorption of 592 kg/m3 (37 lb/ft3) by the open-tank method and tested, it was found that there was no change after 12 years, indicating that treated kekabu could be rendered extremely durable.The timber is extremely easy to treat with preservatives.Texture is moderately coarse and even, with straight or slightly interlocked grain.The timber falls into Strength Group D. It is easy to resaw and cross-cut. Planing is easy and the planed surface produced is moderately smooth to smooth. Nailing property is excellent.The timber seasons fairly rapidly with negligible degrade except for fungal and insect attacks. 13 mm thick boards take 2.5 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 3.5 months.Shrinkage is average with radial shrinkage averaging 1.7% while tangential shrinkage averaging 2.4%.
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