Technical species information for Golden Balau

Detailed scientific and mechanical properties for Yellow Balau wood

Bangkirai, Golden Balau

Bangkirai wood has a brownish yellow heartwood and a light brown sapwood. Its grain can be straight or interlocked, featuring a glossy and smooth texture. Bangkirai has great durability as well as great hardness, with Janka hardness rating of 1798. Bangkirai has long been used both for finer uses such as flooring, but for heavy duty uses as well, such as marine and heavy construction. A great all-rounder, Indonesian Bangkirai hardwood flooring is beautiful flooring choice.

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Bangkirai Wood Properties

Janka Hardness: 1,798 lbf
Modulus of Rupture (MOR): 20,950 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE): 2,900 ×1000 psi
Density: 930 kg/m³
Tangential Shrinkage: 9.3%
Radial Shrinkage: 4.2%
Botanical Family: Shorea
Distribution: Indonesia
Other Names: Shorea laevis, Anggelam, Balau, Benuas, Kumus, Penepak

Bangkirai Characteristics

Color

Heartwood is brownish yellow with light brown sapwood.

Texture

Smooth

Grain

Straight or interlocked

Luster

Glossy

Durability

Rated as durable.

Drying

Somewhat difficult to dry, requires careful conditioning during drying.

Workability

Difficult to cut, plane and sand - similar to Ipe and Cumaru.

Applications

Decking, siding, outdoor furniture.

Photosensitivity

Moderate

Bangkirai , aka Yellow Balau, is a popular species used for decking and siding applications primarily in Europe. An outstanding hardwood with incredible durability and strength, Bangkirai rivals Ipe from South America in terms of its longevity and mechanical properties.