Common Names:   Aizella Ipil Kwila Lumpha Lumpho Merbau Tat talun Purchase Merbau

Mechanical Values

Environmental Profile
This species is currently known to be either Extinct, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Rare within its natural habitat in Indonesia (Source - World Conservation Monitoring Center -1992 ).

Distribution
The species is reported to be distributed in the Indo-Malayan region, Indonesia, the Philippines, and many areas in the western Pacific islands. It also grows in Australia. The trees may be common in localized areas in lowland forests and transition zones behind mangroves.

Product Sources
There is currently no information on whether material from this species is available from sustainably managed forests or other environmentally responsible sources. 

Tree Data
The tree is described as large, developing a bole that is described as often fluted, rather short and thick, with a length of about 50 feet (15 m). Trunk diameter is reported to to be up to 60 inches (150 cm) above large spreading buttresses.

Sapwood Color
The sapwood is whitish in color, and is well demarcated from the heartwood. Width is reported to be 1.5 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm).

Heartwood Color
The heartwood is yellowish to orange brown when first cut, but it matures into brown or dark red-brown upon exposure. Vessels are often filled with yellowish or whitish deposits, conspicuous on the surface. Color variation between boards is reported to be moderate to high.

Grain
Grain is straight to interlocked, or wavy. Radial surfaces exhibit an attractive, ribbon figure.

Texture
The texture is typically fairly coarse.

Luster
Luster is reported to be variable. 

Odor
Dry material is reported to have a distinct odor which is easily detectable when it is being worked. The wood also has an astringent taste.

Ease of Drying
The wood is reported to season well with little degrade. Air drying to 30% moisture content has been recommended before kiln drying to minimize degrade.

Drying Defects
The wood may distort slightly during drying. To prevent end checking, sealing has been suggested.

Kiln Schedules
T3 - C2 (4/4); T3 - C1 (8/4) US
Schedule C (4/4) United Kingdom

Movement in Service
The wood is rated as stable, with small movement after seasoning, but reports indicate significant movement in service in actual installations.

T/R Ratio
1.70
This indicator is more meaningful if it is used together with other drying information and actual shrinkage data in the tangential and radial directions. (Refer to the Numerical Values window).

Natural Durability
The heartwood is reported to be durable and is highly resistant to termite attack. The sapwood is reported to be susceptible to insect attack.

Resistance to Impregnation
The heartwood is reported to be highly resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable.

Gum Content and Reaction with Textiles
The wood contains a dark brown gummy substance that leaches out steadily with water, and stains textiles.

Cutting Resistance
The wood is reported to be difficult to saw. Saw teeth are gummed up easily and are also dulled rapidly. Carbide-tipped cutters are recommended.

Blunting Effect
The wood exerts severe blunting effect on cutting edges.

Planing
The wood is reported to be rather difficult to plane, especially if the grain is interlocked. When planing quartered material with interlocked grain, it is recommended that the cutting angle be reduced to 20 degrees to minimize tear and pick up.

Turning
The timber is reported to turn easily, but it has severe blunting effect on cutting edges.

Moulding
A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended in moulding quartered surfaces.

Boring
The wood is reported to have good boring properties, but it has severe dulling effect on cutting edges.

Routing & Recessing
Routing properties are reported to be generally good.

Mortising
Mortising operations are reported to be relatively easy, but cutters may blunt rather rapidly.

Carving
Carving characteristics are reported to be good.

Gluing
The wood is reported to glue well (except with casein glues) but requires considerable filling. Oily surfaces may cause difficulties.

Nailing
Pre-boring is recommended since the wood tends to split. Nail-holding characteristics are reported to be good.

Screwing
The wood is difficult to screw, though it has good screw-holding properties.

Sanding
Sanding properties are reported to be generally satisfactory, but there may be interference from oily patches.

Polishing
The wood has good polishing characteristics. Surface preparation may be required because of oily patches.

Staining
The wood stains well, but material in contact with ferrous metal and moisture may be stained black.

Varnishing
The wood is reported to take varnish well.

Painting
The wood takes paint well.

Steam Bending
Steam bending characteristics are rated as poor because of oil exudations.

Response to Hand Tools
The wood responds well to hand tools, but cutting edges are dulled quickly and severely.

Comments
The timber of Merbau is reported to be comparable in strength to that of hickory (Carya ), but it is less dense.