Kwila (Merbau)

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		Kwila (Merbau) Botanical Name: Intsia spp Common Name(s): Merbau (Malaysia), Vesi (Fiji) Origin: Papua New Guinea
OverviewBasic InfoTechnical General: The heartwood is yellowish-brown, brown or dark red, red-brown, turning to a dark red-brown with age. The wood is hard and heavy, the texture is moderately coarse but even and the grain may be straight or interlocked and is often wavy. Sulphur-yellow and dark coloured deposits are characteristic of the species and can be commonly seen in the vessel cavities. Seasoning: The timber dries slowly without appreciable degrade but if submitted to rapid drying conditions, there is a definite tendency for end splitting and surface checking to occur. It has a low shrinkage factor. Working: Saws well, however, with the fairly high incidence of gum, saws tend to become clogged. It planes well but there is a tendency for the grain to tear out in quarter-sawn material. A reduction in the cutting angle to 20º is beneficial. The wood tends to split when nailing but holds screws well and can be stained and polished reasonably well, however, patches of oil that exude may affect the finish. The yellow deposits are soluble in water and the dye produced does stain. If, however, early attention is given to any staining it can generally be removed by scrubbing with milk or lactic acid. Uses: Very good heavy construction timber. Ideally suited for decking and outdoor furniture. It is also used in internal joinery and flooring, striking tool handles and carving.y Availability Stocked: Yes Price: Availability: Available ex-stock in Kiln Dried sizes from 100x25 to 300x50mm, and Air Dried sizes 75x75 to 300x75mm Supply - Resource Certification Durability - Durability Durability (In Ground) Durability (Above Ground): Durable Density Density Air Dried 870 kg/m² Shrinkage Shrinkage Radial 0 - 2.0 % (Green to 12% MC) Shrinkage Tangental: 1.0 - 3.0 % (Green to 12% MC) Stability Stability Kiln Dried Very stable Stability Green: Stable Mechanical Properties Mechanical Links Janka Hardness: (Average) 14 kN Modulus of Rupture / Bending Strength: 147 MPa (N/mm² or MN/m²) Modulus of Elasticity / Stiffness: 18 GPa (GN/m²) Maximum Crushing Strength: 81 MPa (N/mm² or MN/m²) Moisture Meter Reading Corrections Moisture Meter Reading Corrections: Fire Indicies Ignitability Index: (NZ/AS 1530.3) Flame Spread Index: (NZ/AS 1530.3) Heat Evolved Index: (NZ/AS 1530.3) Smoke Developed Index: (NZ/AS 1530.3)

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