Properties and Uses
Sepetir |
The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Copaifera palustris and Sindora spp. (Leguminosae). The timber is a light hardwood with a density of 530–785 kg m-3 air dry. The sapwood is light grey-brown or beige with a pink tinge and is clearly defined from the heartwood, which is brown with a pink tinge and darkens on exposure. A corewood, which is streaked with layers of darker coloured to almost black wood is often developed. Texture is moderately fine and even, with straight or shallowly interlocked grain. The timber is only moderately strong (Strength group C). It is slightly difficult to difficult to resaw and cross-cut but is easy to plane and the surface produced is smooth. The nailing property is rated good. The timber dries moderately slowly, with almost no degrade, although the sapwood is likely to be attacked by powder-post beetles. 13 mm boards take approximately 3 months to air dry, while 38 mm boards take 5 months. Shrinkage is rather high, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.5% and tangential averaging 2.9%. For kiln-drying, Schedule G is recommended. The timber dries fast but has a marked tendency to warp if the boards contain dark streaks. For such material, Schedule D is recommended. The timber is moderately durable and is very difficult to treat with preservatives. USES: The timber is suitable for general planking, light construction, ceiling, packing cases and pallets. The streaked material is, however, highly prized as a superior cabinet wood and is suitable for decorative works like joinery and panelling. The timber has also been used for flooring, furniture manufacture and rotary cut veneers for plywood. Vernacular names applied include sepetir (P.M., Sab. and Sar.) with various epithets, petir (Sar.), tampar hantu (Sar.) and tepih (Sar.). Major species include Copaifera palustris; Sindora coriacea, S. echinocalyx, S. siamensis, S. velutina and S. wallichii.
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