Properties and Uses

Melantai

The Standard Malaysian Name for certain lightweight reddish and yellowish timber of Shorea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae). The timber is separate from the Red Merantis on the grounds that Melantai is usually lighter in density and tends to have a bright yellow tinge. The timber is a light hardwood with a density of 415–625 kg m^–3air dry. The sapwood is lighter in colour, not sharply defined but moderately distinct from the heartwood, which is than and yellow-pink when freshly cut, weathering to a light pink colour with a yellow tinge. Texture is moderately coarse but even, with interlocked grain. The timber is only fairly strong (Strength group C). It is easy to work and planes to a smooth and highly lustrous surface. The nailing property is rated as good. The timber seasons fairly rapidly without any defects. 13 mm boards take 2 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 4 months. Shrinkage is fairly low, especially when compared with other species of Shorea. Radial shrinkage averages 0.9% while tangential shrinkage averages 2.6%. For kiln-drying, Schedule H is recommended. The timber dries very fast without degrade. 25 mm boards take an average of 6 days to kiln-dry from 50 to 10% moisture content. The timber is non-durable in exposed conditions and is difficult to treat with preservatives.

USES: The timber is suitable for interior finishing, mouldings, panelling, rotary cut veneers and plywood, planking, shelving and the manufacture of doors.

Vernacular names applied include belantai (Kd.), kawang with various epithets in Sabah, engkabang for S. macrophylla in Sarawak and melantai (P.M.). The species as a group are more developed in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak than in the Peninsula. Only one species occurs in Peninsular Malaysia and that is S. macroptera. The other species belonging to this group include S. macrophylla, S. parvistipulata ssp. parvistipulata, S. pilosa, S. pinanga and S. scaberrima.