Properties and Uses
Merbau |
The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Intsia spp., principally I. palembanica (Leguminosae). The timber is a heavy hardwood with a density of 515–1040 kg m–3 air dry. The sapwood is pale yellow to light buff and is sharply differentiated from the heartwood, which is yellowish to orange-brown when fresh, darkening to brown or dark red-brown on exposure. Texture is rather coarse but even, with interlocked grain. The timber is strong (Strength group B). It is moderately easy to resaw and cross-cut when green but is slightly difficult when dried. Planing is easy to slightly difficult and the planed surface is smooth in most cases except for slight picking up of grain on the radial face. Nailing property is rated as very poor. The timber seasons slowly without any degrade except for some powder-post-beetle attacks on the sapwood. 13 mm boards take approximately 4.5 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 6 months. Shrinkage values are particularly low, with radial shrinkage averaging 0.9% and tangential shrinkage averaging 1.6%. The heartwood of Merbau is durable under exposed conditions and is reported to be resistant to termite attacks. The sapwood is however, perishable. The timber is very difficult to treat with preservatives. USES: Merbau is a very attractive wood, with its growth ring figure and deep colour. The timber is suitable for interior finishing, panelling, strip and parquet flooring, superior joinery, cabinet-making, musical instruments, decorative and novelty items, veneers and power transmission poles. The timber is widely used for the manufacture of reproduction antique furniture and strip flooring in the country. Vernacular names applied include merbau ipil (P.M.) and ipil laut (Sab.) for I. bijuga. Major species include I. bijuga and I. palembanica.
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