Petai |
The timber is soft to moderately hard and is light to moderately heavy with a density of 415-815 kg/m3 air dry. The timber is classified under light hardwood in Malaysia. The sapwood is white to yellow-brown and is extremely wide. The heartwood is seldom developed but if found, is dark brown in colour. Texture is rather coarse and uneven, with straight or shallowly interloocked grain. The timber is weak (Strengh group D). It is easy to saw and work and produces a smooth planed surface. The nailing property is rated as excellent. The timber seasons fairly slowly with the following defects: moderate amount of end-checking, insect and fungal attacks, slight amount of cupping, bowing, twisting and splitting. 13mm boards take approximately 3.5 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 5 months. Shrinkage is rather low, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.1% and tangential shrinkage averaging 1.9%. The timber is non-durable and is susceptible to powder-post beetle and sapstain fungal attacks. The timber can be easily with preservative.
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