 Merbau (Intsia bijuga)
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Common Name(s): Merbau, Kwila, Ipil Scientific Name: Intsia 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) Hardness: 1,710 lbf (7,620 N) Bending Strength: 20,700 lbf/in2 (142,400 kPa) Elasticity: 2,465,000 lbf/in2 (17,000 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 easy to identify.
Grain/Pore: Has a fairly coarse texture, with occasionally interlocking grain.
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.
Smell: 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 Range: 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.
None available.
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Merbau (Intsia bijuga) |
 Lower portion of segmented turning is Merbau, upper portion is Padauk |
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