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Blunting Effect
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Silica Content
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities
Weathering

Scientific Name
Anisoptera costata

Trade Name
Mersawa

Family Name
Dipterocarpaceae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Ansiopi, Armaniuri, Asomba, Bak, Baligan, Baoti, Baripung, Baurai, Berua, Cha wa ta pho, Chengal, Damar kelasi, Damar ketimpun, Damar lilin, Damar mata kuching, Damar miharo, Damar tingkis, Doka, Entenam, Gawi, Jamar, Kabaak khok, Kaban, Kaban kaunghmu, Kakan, Kansiopi, Kaunghmu, Kedao, Kenyau, Ketimpun, Kokadaka, Kora, Kra-bak, Krabak, Krabak daeng, Krabak dam, Mansiuri, Marlangat, Mascalwood, Meranti kawan, Merayo, Merbani, Merlangsat, Merluang lauh, Mersaw daun lebar, Mersawa, Mersawa kesat, Mersawa merah, Mesawa, Mi dang wa, Mindanao, Palosapis, Pedu kalui, Pengiran, Pengirin kesat, Penogran, Perapat hutan, Phdiek, Phdiek kraham, Punyau, Sampean, Sitairak, Suri, Tabaak, Tairak, Taire, Tairi, Tampudau, Tampurau, Tenam, Tukam, Ven van trang, Ven ven, Ven ven xanth, Venven, Vin vin, Von ven, Von-ven, weru

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam

Common Uses
Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Clogs, Concealed parts (Furniture), Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Floor lamps, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Joists, Light construction, Moldings, Particleboard, Plywood, Railroad ties, Tool handles, Toys, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Windows

Environmental Profile
Abundant/Secure
Generally secure within most of its natural habitat, but note exceptions.


Distribution Overview
Usually found in dry evergreen forests, scattered all over the countryside along depressions and along valleys of low hill ranges. Elevation is generally around 500m. Known to occur in Thailand.

Heartwood Color
Yellow
Brown
Orange
Red
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Brown
Red
Light buff to yellowish brown
Darkens slightly upon exposure


Sapwood Color
Yellow
White
Brown
White to yellow
Well defined
Same as heartwood
Pale yellow
Not always clearly demarcated from heartwood
Discoloration from sap-stain fungal infection may abnormally define sapwood from heartwood

Normal width is about 2 inches (5 cm).

Grain
Interlocked
Straight
Even
Crossed
Spiral
Figure
Weak (figure)

Interlocked
Straight
Weak figure
Spiral grain occasionally
Moderately to severely interlocked
Broad rays produce silver grain on quartersawn surfaces


Texture
Coarse
Medium
Even or uniform
Uniform
Medium to coarse
Coarse
Medium
Even textured


Luster
Medium
Low
Non-lustrous
Lustrous
Dull


Natural Growth Defects
Piped heart is occasionally present in large logs
Gum/resin exudation


Natural Durability
Moderately durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Non-durable
Resistant to marine borers
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Non-resistant to termites
Perishable
Moderately durable
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Susceptible to termite attack
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Moderately resistant to marine borer attack
Moderately resistant to attack by marine borers
Moderate weathering properties


Weathering
Good


Odor
No specific taste
Distinctive resinous odor


Silica Content
Siliceous
High
Moderate silica contact
Likely to have significant impact on machining
Contains high levels of silica (> 0.5% of dry weight)


Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed
T6-D4(4/4);T3-D1(8/4) US Schedule E; United Kingdom
Care is needed to accurately measure moisture content for kilning


Drying Defects
Checking
Distortion
Discoloration
Slight twist/warp
Slight surface checking
Wet pockets may also cause uneven variations in drying rate
Susceptible to sap-stain during air-drying
Slight warping and checking may occur during drying


Ease of Drying
Slowly
Fairly Easy
Dries slowly from the green conditin without severe degrade


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries slowly


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is buttressed
Bole/stem form is straight


Tree Size
Tree height is 40-50 m
Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm
Tree height is 60-70 m
Bole length is 20-30 m
Sapwood width is 5-10 cm
Sapwood width is 10-15 cm
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm
Tree height is 50-60 m
Bark width is 30-40 mm
Bole length is 30-40 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bole length is 10-20 m


Product Sources
The ITTO reports that timber production from this species is in low quantities. Exports are more or less regular. Exportation of the timber from Cameroon is prohibited.

Certified Source
Certified Source


Comments
Retards the setting of cement and should not be used for shuttering concrete

Blunting Effect
High to severe
Blunting effect on sawing green wood is severe
Capable of dulling cutting edges rapidly and severely, depending upon silica amount


Cutting Resistance
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Fairly difficult to saw
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult

The wood has been found to be fairly difficult to saw especially when interlocked grain is present.

Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Glues well


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Satisfactory moulding results
Very sharp cutting edges are required to produce a smooth surface


Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Excellent Stability - Small Movement
Stable
Retains shape well after seasoning
Medium
Good dimensional stability and shows little movement in use


Nailing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Holds nails well
Good nailing characteristics


Planing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Planes to a satisfactory finish
Reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended for best results
Planes fairly cleanly
Dulls cutting edges rapidly due to silica content
Difficult to plane


Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is resistant
Sapwood is permeable
Resistance to preservative treatment varied from moderate to very resistant


Response to Hand Tools
Responds Readily
Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work
Easy to Work
Moderate working qualities
Easy to work with hand tools except when interlocked grain is present
Dulls cutting edges rapidly due to silica content


Sanding
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Responds well to sanding operations
Produces clean surfaces
Good sanding finish


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Screwing yields satisfactory results
Holds screws well
Easy to screw


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Easy to turn


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Suitable for slicing
Veneers moderately easy
Veneers easily
Difficult to veneer
Good gluing qualities
No steaming needed during bolt preparation.
Suitable for peeling
Moderately easy to veneer
Drying degrade is moderate to severe, with collapse, buckles, and splits


Steam Bending
Poor to Very Poor Results
Poor steam bending characteristics


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Good results
Good finishing characteristics
Fairly good polishing characteristics


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Stains satisfactorily after surface preparation


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Max. crushing strength = medium
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
High in density
Heavy
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high
Bending strength (MOR) = high

It compares favorably with Teak, which also has high bending strength. Some familiar species with high crushing strength parallel to grain include Hard maple, Teak, and White oak

Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength688810620psi
Density40lbs/ft3
Maximum Crushing Strength38836599psi
Shearing Strength1528psi
Stiffness134615731000 psi
Specific Gravity0.510.52
Weight3830lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage15%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength484746kg/cm2
Density641kg/m3
Maximum Crushing Strength273463kg/cm2
Shearing Strength107kg/cm2
Stiffness941101000 kg/cm2
Specific Gravity0.510.52
Weight608480kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Ashton, P.S.,1964,A manual of the Dipterocarp trees of Brunei State,O.U.P. London

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 4 South East Asia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Eddowes, P. J. 1961. Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea: Their Properties and Uses. Office of Forests, Papua New Guinea.

Eddowes, P.J.,1977,Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea: Their Properties and Uses,Hebano Press, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France

Fundter, J.M.,1982,Names for Dipterocarp timbers and trees from Asia,Pudoc, Wageningen, Netherlands

HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Martawijaya, A. (Ed.,1978,Timbers used for the ship building industry in Indonesia,Lembaga Penelitian Hasil Hutan, Bogor, Indonesia, Laporan No.109

Martawijaya, A., Kadir, K., Kartasujana, I.,1986,Indonesian Wood Atlas. Vol.1.,Department of Forestry Agency for Forestry Research and Development.,Bogar-Indonesia

Meijer, W., Wood, G.H.S.,1964,Dipterocarps of Sabah (North Borneo,Sabah Forest Department, Forest Record No.5









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