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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

Wood Image 1

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

Bending strength (MOR) = high

Density (dry weight) = 53 - 60 lbs/cu. ft.

Shrinkage, Tangential = very small

Shrinkage, Radial = very small

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = high

Hardness (side grain) = hard

Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium

Hardness (side grain) = medium

Shrinkage, Tangential = small

Shrinkage, Radial = small

Bending strength (MOR) = very high

Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very high

Density (dry weight) = 61 - 67 lbs/cu. ft.

Max crushing strength = very high

Bending strength (MOR) = medium

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	14282	20110	psi
Crushing Strength	1411	1784	psi
Density		49	lbs/ft3
Hardness		1885	lbs
Maximum Crushing Strength	7292	10062	psi
Shearing Strength		2677	psi
Static Bending	8126	10272	psi
Stiffness	2072	2393	1000 psi
Toughness		475	inch-lbs
Specific Gravity	0.63	0.65
Weight	54	48	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	2		%
Tangential Shrinkage	4		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	8		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	1004	1413	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	99	125	kg/cm2
Density		785	kg/m3
Hardness		855	kg
Maximum Crushing Strength	512	707	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		188	kg/cm2
Static Bending	571	722	kg/cm2
Stiffness	145	168	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		547	cm-kg
Specific Gravity	0.63	0.65
Weight	865	769	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	2		%
Tangential Shrinkage	4		%

References
Alston, A.S.,1966,Natural Heartwood Durability,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No. 2

Alston, A.S.,1966,Powder Post Beetle Lyctus Species,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.6

Alston, A.S.,1982,Timbers of Fiji: Properties and potential uses,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva

Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1963,The Mechanical Properties of 174 Australian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.25

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1972,The Mechanical Properties of 56 Fijian Timbers,Australia C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.,62

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1976,The Mechanical Properties of 81 New Guinea Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Res. Tec.Paper (2nd series) 11

Bolza, E.,1975,Properties and Uses of 175 Timber Species from Papua New Guinea and West,Irian,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Building Research Report,no.34

Bolza, E.,1976,Timber and Health,Div. Building Res. C.S.I.R.O. Australia

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods - Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 8 Australasia,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Budgen, B.,1981,Shrinkage and density of some Australian and South-East Asian Timbers,C.S.I.R.O. Div. building Res. Tech Paper(2nd Series) No.38

C.S.I.R.O. Division of Building Research,1978,CSIRO Division of Building Research Information service Sheet No. 10-39,Kwila (merbau,CSIRO Division of Building Research Information service, Melbourne,,Australia

Cameron, S.,1945,Some Notes on Utilisation of Timbers in the South-West Pacific,New Zealand Journal of Forestry Volume 5(2) 117-127

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

Da Costa, E.W.B., Osborne, L.D.,1967,Comparative decay resistance of 26 New Guinea timber species in,accelerated laboratory tests,Comm. Forestry Review 46(1) pp63-74

Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15

E.H. Walker,1954,Important Trees of the Ryukyu Islands,United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands Special Bulletin,No. 3

EcoTimber International, San Francisco, California. Personal Communication, 1993.

Eddowes, P.J. 1977. Commercial Timbers of Papua New Guinea - Their Properties and Uses. Forest Products Research Center, Office of Forests, Department of Primary Industry, Papua New Guinea.

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

Fiji Department of Forestry,1969,A Summary of the Properties of 34 Indigenous Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.38

Fiji Forestry Department,1969,Timbers for Flooring A Note on Current & Potential Species,Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.36, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji

Fiji Forestry Department,1981,The Properties and Uses of 43 Indigenous and Exotic Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.71

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

France - C.T.F.T.,1973,Investigations and Tests carried out on Tropical Timber by several,Research Laboratories,CTFT

Gueneau, P., Gueneau, D.,1969,Proprietes Physiques et Mecaniques des Bois Malagaches,CTFT Madagascar

HMSO. 1972. Handbook of Hardwoods. 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I. Soerianegara and R.H.M.J. Lemmens (Editors,1993,Plant Resources of South-East Asia 5,(PROSEA, 1,Timber trees: Major commercial timbers,Pudoc Scientific Publishers, Wageningen 1993

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

Kininimonth, J.A.,1982,Properties and uses of the timbers of Western Samoa, Indigenous,Hardwoods,Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand

Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Kraemer, J.H.,1951,Trees of the Western Pacific Region,West Lafayette, Indiana U.S.A.

Kribs, D.A.,1950,Commercial and Foreign Woods on the American Market (a manual to their,structure, identification, uses and distribution,U.S.A. Penn. State College, Tropical Woods Laboratory

Kukachka, B.F.,1970,Properties of Imported Tropical Woods,Forest Research Paper FPL 125

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

Netherlands - Houtinstituut T.N.O.,1963,Merbau,Houtinstituut T.N.O. Delft.

NWFA. 1994. Wood Species Used in Wood Flooring. Technical Publication No. A200. National Wood Flooring Association, Manchester, MO.

Papua New Guinea Department of Forests,1972,New Horizons,Forestry in Papua New Guinea,Jacaranda Press PTY Ltd, Brisbane

Pleydell, G.J.,1970,Timbers of the British Solomon Islands,United Africa Company (Timber) Ltd, London

Rao, K.R. and S.K. Purkayastha. 1972. Indian Woods - Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume III - Leguminosae to Combretaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India.

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

Sallenave, P.,1955,Proprietes Phyiques et Mecaniques des Bois Tropicaux de l'Union Francaise,C.T.F.T

Solomon Islands,1976,Solomon Islands Timbers - Major Species,For Div. Min. Nat. Resources, Honiara, Timber Booklet 1

Takahashi, A.,1978,Compilation of Data on the Mechanical Properties of Foreign Woods (Part,III) Africa,Shimane University, Japan, Research Report on Foreign Wood No. 7

Tamolang, F.N., Martawijaya, A., Kartasujana, I., Kadir, K., Parwira, S.,1992,Indonesian Wood Atlas Volume II,Department of Forestry, Agency for Forestry Research and Development,,Bogor-Indonesia

Tanzanian Forest Department, Pterocarpus angolensis,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sect. Moshi - Timbers of Tanganika

The Ecological Trading Company Limited (ETC, Newcastle upon Tyre, United Kingdom.

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.

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