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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 Comments Common Names Common Uses Corrosive Properties 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 Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Intsia bijuga Trade Name Kwila Family Name Caesalpiniaceae Synonyms Intsia amboinensis Common Names Ai fra mas, Aizella, Bafn ooi, Bendora, Borneo teak, Choyo, Dedira, Dort, Dowora, Eh, Finuki-ukaba, Ghughole, Go nvoe, Go-nuoe, Gox nuwowse, Hintzy, Ifet, Ifil, Ihili, Ipi, Ipil, Isere, Ivili, Kaboing, Kajoe besi, Kayu besi, Kebuk, Kelo, Kivili, Krakas prek, Kubok, Kubuk, Kuren, Kwila, Lehase, Lumpha, Lumpho, Lumpho-thale, Makhamong, Makhar, Maroeasi, Melila, Mer, Merbau, Merbau changkat, Merbaue, Mirabow, Moluccan ijzerhout, Moluccan ironwood, Nityanmis, Ombong, Pas, Pradu-thale, Sabol, Sekka, Show, Sira, Tariti, Tashiro-mame, Tat-talun, Telat, Thort, Tos, Tuamis, U'ula, Vesi, Vuvuta, Wantal, Waroeasi, Wesele, Zolt, Zort Regions of Distribution Africa, Oceania and S.E. Asia Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Australia, Fiji [Polynesia], Fiji, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, New Caledonia Island [France], New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: planking, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Construction, Crossties, Decks, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Furniture , Furniture, Handles, Handles: general, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Ladders, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mathematical instruments, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piling, Poles, Posts, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Railroad ties, Shafts/Handles, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Sub-flooring, Tool handles, Toys, Turnery, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Wharf construction Environmental Profile Rare Abundant/Secure Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center This species has been classified as Vulnerable and is possibly Endangered within its natural habitat in the Philippines. Its status in Vietnam and Indonesia is currently known to be either Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare. Its stautus in the wild has also been listed as unknown because of inadequate information in parts of Myanmar or Burma and India, Kampuchea, Thailand, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Pacific Islands, and American Samoa Distribution Overview American Samoa, Australia, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar (at low altitudes in the west), Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Seychelles, Tanzania, Thailand, and Viet Nam. It is a tree of lowland, tropical rain forest which is often found in coastal areas bordering mangrove swamps, rivers, or floodplains. It is also found inland up to 600m, in primary or old secondary forests. Heartwood Color Red Brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Reddish brown Dark brown Pale brown The heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown initially, but it matures into brown or dark red-brown. Color variation between boards is moderate to high. Sapwood Color White to yellow Well defined Paler than heartwood Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Whitish gray to light yellowish brown. Width is 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm). Grain Interlocked Wavy Straight Figure Even Closed Other (figure) Ribbon (figure) Rippled (figure) Interlocked Wavy Straight Straight to interlocked Rippled figure Ribbon figure Other figure Texture Coarse Medium coarse to coarse Coarse Oily feel Medium Luster Slightly lustrous Lustrous Natural Growth Defects Yellowish deposits in vessels Whitish deposits in vessels Natural Durability Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Very durable Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Durable Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) Moderately resistant to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from marine borers Sapwood is susceptible to wood staining fungal attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Odor Characteristic odor, easily detectable when worked. Astringent taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Corrosive Properties Reacts with metals Non-corrosive Toxicity Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid Dry at a moderate speed Drying Defects Splitting Checking Case Hardening Distortion Slight surface checking Slight end splitting Moderate twist/warp Moderate end spitting Ease of Drying Thick Stock Requires Care Moderately Difficult to Difficult Easy Moderate Kiln Drying Rate Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) Tree Identification Bole/stem form is buttressed Bole/stem form is not buttressed Bole/stem form is straight Bole/stem form is misshapen Bole/stem form is fluted Bole/stem form is cylindrical Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m The tree is described as large in size, developing boles that are often short and thick Product Sources Comments Deposits and Reaction with Textiles - Pores usually contain water soluble yellowish deposits which are conspicuous on wood surface. A dark brown gummy substance which may stain textiles is also reported to leach out steadily with water. General finishing qualities are rated as good The timber is described as moderately heavy and moderately hard, with strength properties that are similar to those of Hickory (Carya ), but it is less dense. Blunting Effect Blunting effect on sawing dry wood is moderate Blunting effect on machining is variable Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Severe dulling effect on cutting edges Moderately easy Good boring properties Easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Easy to carve Cutting Resistance Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult Saw teeth are gummed up easily and dulled quickly Difficult to saw Cutting Resistance with green wood is variable Cutting Resistance with dry wood is moderate Carbide tipped tools are recommended Gluing Moderate gluing properties The wood is reported to glue well (except with casein glues) but requires considerable filling. Oily surfaces may cause difficulties. Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finishes well Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy When moulding quartered surfaces, it is recommended that a 20 degree cutting angle be used to minimize tear and pick up Movement in Service Stable Small Nailing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Holds nails well Difficult to nail Tends to split during nailing Pre-boring recommended Possible if prebored Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Planes well, to a good finish Quartersawn material with interlocked grain is rather difficult to plane and requires a reduced angle of 20 degrees to minimize tear and pick up. Resistance to Impregnation Resistant sapwood Resistant heartwood Heartwood is highly resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is resistant Sapwood is extremely resistant Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Response to Hand Tools Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Responds Readily Moderate working qualities Variable qualities Responds fairly well to hand tools Difficult to machine Cutting edges are dulled quickly and severely Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good routing properties Tends to dull cutting edges rather severely Sanding Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Satisfactory sanding properties May be some interference from oily patches Good sanding finish Screwing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Screwing yields good results Good screw holding properties Difficult to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finish is generally satisfactory Poor results Veneering Qualities Difficult to veneer Diifficult to veneer Suitable for slicing Suitable for peeling Bolt preparation requires steaming Steam Bending Poor because of oil exudations Good Painting Satisfactory results Takes paint well Polishing Poor to Very Poor Results Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Satisfactory results Good results Occasional surface preparation may be required because of oily patches Staining Staining (Characteristic) = coloured water-soluble extract Reacts with Iron to discolour wood Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Stains well Ferrous metals or moisture may stain wood black. Varnishing Takes varnish well Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = high