Merbau

Merbau (Intsia spp.)

Common Name(s): Merbau, Kwila, Ipil

Scientific Name: Intsia spp. (I. bijuga, I. palembanica)

Distribution: Southeast Asia, western Pacific islands, and Australia

Tree Size: 130-200 ft (40-60 m) tall, 4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 52 lbs/ft³ (825 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .68

Hardness: 1,710 lb_f (7,620 N)

Rupture Strength: 20,700 lb_f/in² (142,400 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 2,465,000 lb_f/in² (17,000 MPa)

Crushing Strength: 10,600 lb_f/in² (73.1 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 2.7%, Tangential: 4.6%, Volumetric: 7.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.7

Color/Appearance: Has an orangish-brown color when freshly cut, which ages to a darker reddish-brown. Color between boards can be highly variable. There are also small yellow mineral deposits found throughout the wood, making it easier to separate from other lookalikes. (These yellow deposits are water-soluble and can cause staining.)

Grain/Pore: Has a fairly coarse texture, with occasionally interlocking grain.

Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; medium-large pores in no specific arrangement; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; mineral deposits occasionally present, including conspicuous yellow deposits; growth rings distinct due to marginal parenchyma; rays barely visible without lens; parenchyma banded (marginal), paratracheal parenchyma vasicentric, aliform (winged or lozenge), and confluent.

Durability: Merbau is reported to be very durable, and resists both rotting and insect attack.

Workability: Glues and finishes well, though it can be difficult to saw due to gumming and dulling of teeth.

Scent: Has a unique smell when being sawed or sanded: which can also cause irritation and sneezing.

Safety: Merbau has been associated with mild allergic reactions: most common is skin irritation and a runny nose. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Sold infrequently in the United States, Merbau is a large tree and is somewhat moderately priced for an import, and should compare closely to Mahogany.

Comments: This wood has excellent strength characteristics, along with excellent stability, making it ideally suited for use as wood flooring and other applications where strength is important. It is commonly used for furniture and other specialty wood items in southeast Asia where this wood grows naturally.