Properties and Uses

Kelat

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Syzygium spp. (Myrtaceae). The timber is a medium hardwood with a density of 495–1010 kg m^–3air dry. The sapwood is not sharply differentiated from the heartwood, which is light brown, pink-brown, red-brown or purple-brown with a grey tinge. Texture is moderately fine and even with interlocked, irregular or wavy grain. The timber is strong (Strength group B). It is easy to resaw and cross-cut. Planing is easy and the planed surface is smooth. The nailing property is rated as poor. The timber seasons very slowly with end-checking and insect attacks as the main defects. 13 mm boards take 5 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 10 months. Shrinkage is high, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.9% and tangential shrinkage averaging 3.3%. For kiln-drying, Schedule C is recom¬mended. 25 mm boards will take approximately 9 days to dry down to 10% moisture content. Major kiln-drying defects are likely to be cupping and end-splitting. The timber is moderately durable under exposed conditions and does not absorb preservatives readily.

USES: The timber is strong enough to be used for structural purposes like posts, beams, joists, rafters. If properly treated, may be suitable for tramways, railway sleepers for secondary lines, bridges, wharves and agricultural implements.

Vernacular names applied include jambu (Sar.), kelat (P.M.) with various epithets, keriang (P.M.), obah (Sab.) with various epithets and ubah (Sar.). The latest taxonomic revision of the genus has produced 200 species.