MERANTI BAKAU
INTRODUCTION
The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Shorea uliginosa (Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular names applied include meranti paya (Peninsular Malaysia, in error), meranti tenggelam (Perak) and seraya buaya hantu (Sabah). There is only one species contributing to this timber, viz. Shorea uliginosa, although sometimes a timber derived from the true meranti paya (Shorea platycarpa) cannot be confidently separated from meranti bakau. The sapwood is lighter in colour and is distinct from the heartwood, which is light pink to light red-brown.
Also known as Meranti merah (Indonesia).
DENSITY
The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 595-755 kg/m3 air dry.
NATURAL DURABILITY
The timber is moderately durable under exposed conditions.
PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT
It is rather difficult to treat with preservatives.
TEXTURE
Texture is rather coarse but even, with interlocked grain.
STRENGTH PROPERTIES
The timber falls into Strength Group C (Engku, 1988b) or SG 4 (MS 544:Part 2:2001).
MACHINING PROPERTIES
It is easy to work and produces a moderately smooth surface.
NAILING PROPERTY
The nailing property is rated as good.
AIR DRYING
The timber seasons fairly rapidly with moderate cupping, bowing and twisting as the main sources of degrade. 13 mm thick boards take approximately 2 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 3.5 months.
KILN-DRYING
Kiln Schedule H is recommended. The timber kiln-dries fast without any degrade.
| Kiln Schedule H | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture Content (%) | Temperature (Dry Bulb) | Temperature (Wet Bulb) | Relative Humidity (%) (approx.) | ||
| °F | °C | °F | °C | ||
| Green | 135 | 57.0 | 127 | 53.0 | 80 |
| 50 | 135 | 57.0 | 126 | 52.0 | 75 |
| 40 | 140 | 60.0 | 126 | 52.0 | 65 |
| 30 | 150 | 65.5 | 129 | 54.0 | 55 |
| 20 | 170 | 76.5 | 136 | 58.0 | 40 |
SHRINKAGE
Shrinkage is average, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.0% and tangential shrinkage
The timber is suitable for general light construaveraging 2.7%.
USES
The timber is suitable for general light construction, posts, beams, joists, rafters, furniture, door and window frames and sills, flooring, plywood, pallets (expendable type), joinery and cabinet making
REFERENCES
- Engku Abdul Rahman Chik. 1998b. Basic and Grade Stresses for Strength Groups of Malaysian Timbers. Malayan Forest Service Trade Leaflet No. 38. The Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 13 pp.
- Menon, P. K. B. 1986. Uses of Some Malaysian Timbers. Revised by Lim, S. C. Timber Trade Leaflet No. 31. The Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 48 pp.
- MS 544:Part 2:2001. Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Timber: Permissible Stress Design of Solid Timber.
- Wong, T. M. 1982. A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers. Revised by Lim, S. C. & Chung, R. C. K. Malayan Forest Records No. 30. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 201 pp.