Kempas Hardwood Technical Species Information

Detailed scientific and mechanical properties for Kempas Hardwood Lumber

Kempas

Kempas is generally imported from Asia and grows in Malaysia and Indonesia. The heartwood is a fairly consistent color which ranges from orange-red to reddish-brown with subtly contrasting yellow to pale white tones. The heartwood will darken with time. Kempas is somewhat similar to Cumaru from Brazil but does not have as much definition in the grain.

Request a Sample

Kempas Wood Properties

Janka Hardness: 1,750 lbf
Modulus of Rupture (MOR): 17,700 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE): 2,690 ×1000 psi
Density: 880 kg/m³
Tangential Shrinkage: 7.4%
Radial Shrinkage: 6%
Botanical Family: Leguminosae
Tree: The Kempas tree can reach heights of 180 feet and diameters of up to 6 feet.
Distribution: Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea. Found in lowland forest in swampy areas.
Other Names: Koompassia spp,Thongbueng, Gemaris, Hampas, Nyari, Kempas rawang, Impas (Sabah), Mengris (Sarawak),Tualangun

Kempas Characteristics

Color

Orange-red to red-brown heartwood.

Texture

Coarse

Grain

Interlocked, sometimes wavy

Luster

Variable

Durability

Durable except for inground

Drying

Rated as medium difficult to dry.

Workability

Difficult to work, like most tropical hardwoods.

Applications

Flooring, decking, outdoor furniture. plywood, sleepers, bridges, wharfage

Photosensitivity

Moderate

Kempas has been very popular as a less expensive alternative tropical hardwood. Available in prefinished solid only in two widths.