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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Hopea papuana Trade Name Balau Family Name Dipterocarpaceae Common Names Balau, Ehang besi, Gagil, Giam, Gisok-gisok, Gointa, Hopea, Kaliot, Keilmen ogerie, Koha pilopilo, Koka-pilo-pilo, Lao-two, Light hopea, Linakiong, Magasusu, Manggachapui, Matajien, Matre, Merawan, Narek, Pasang keserup, Riheu, Sangal, Tjengal Regions of Distribution Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Common Uses Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Bridge construction, Cabinetmaking, Decks, Flooring, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Ladders, Light construction, Marine construction, Mine timbers, Paneling, Piling, Railroad ties, Turnery, Vehicle parts Environmental Profile Vulnerable Abundant/Secure Rare Heartwood Color Brown Red Yellow Orange Purple Black Dark brown Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown White to cream Sapwood Color White Yellow Pink White to yellow Paler than heartwood Grain Interlocked Figure Variable (figure) Interlocked Variable figure Texture Medium Coarse Fine Fine to medium Medium Luster Medium Low Natural Growth Defects Gum/resin streaks Natural Durability Durable Non-resistant to marine borers Resistant to termites Very durable Moderately durable Susceptible to insect attack Non-resistant to powder post beetles Perishable Resistant to marine borers Non-durable Resistant to powder post beetles Durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Light-Induced Color Change Darker Toxicity Some toxic effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=E US=T6D2/T3D1 Fr=5 Drying Defects Distortion Checking Splitting Moderate surface checking Slight twist/warp Slight cupping Severe surface checking Moderate twist/warp Ease of Drying Moderately Difficult to Difficult Fairly Easy Rapidly Slowly Difficult Kiln Drying Rate Naturally dries at a moderate speed Naturally dries quickly Naturally dries slowly Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Bole length is 20-30 m Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 40-50 m Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 10-20 m Bark width is 20-25 mm Bark width is 10-15 mm Bark width is 25-30 mm Bark width is 15-20 mm Bark width is greather than 50 mm Tree height is 50-60 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Certified Source Certified Source Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fairly difficult to very difficult Easy Carving Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Cutting Resistance Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Moderate gluing properties Mortising Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Finishes satisfactorily Moulding Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Satisfactory moulding results Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Nailing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fairly Easy to Very Easy Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Pre-Boring Recommended Holds satisfactorily Easy to nail Planing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is extremely resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Responds Poorly Moderate working qualities Easy to machine Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Sanding Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Screwing Fair to Good Results Pre-boring recommended Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to turn Finish is generally satisfactory Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Suitable for peeling Steam Bending Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Painting Fair to Good Results Polishing Poor to Very Poor Results Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = high Bending strength (MOR) = high Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 53-60 lbs/cu. ft. Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Numerical Data Item