Merbau

lpil, kwila (Intsia spp.)

Top portion of sample has water-based finish. Bottom portion is oil-based finish.

Appearance

Color: Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when freshly cut, turning brown or dark red- brown upon exposure.

Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture.

Variations Within Species And Grades: Moderate to high variation in color.

Properties

Hardness/Janka: Janka:1925; (49% harder than Northern red oak).
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (4.6; 47% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations have demonstrated significant movement in use.

Durability:

Workability

Sawing/Machining: Sawing is difficult; wood gums saw teeth and dulls cutting edges; carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily if correct sanding sequence is followed.

Nailing: No known problems.
Finishing: Takes neutral finish well. May be difficult to stain.
Comments: High resistance to termites.

Origin: Southeast Asia

Availability

Moderately available.