Merbau Hardwood Technical Species Information & Technical Species Information
Detailed scientific and mechanical properties for Merbau Hardwood Lumber
Merbau
Merbau is a beautiful exotic hardwood that grows in the forests of Southeast Asia as well as throughout the South Pacific region. When freshly cut the color of the wood is yellow to orangish-brown, but upon exposure will darken to a rich dark brown to reddish-brown color much like Brazilian Cherry. One unique characteristic of Merbau is the yellow flecks, or mineral deposits, which can be seen in many of the pieces. These flecks will become more subtle over time, but when initially finished the wood appears to be flecked with gold.
Merbau Wood Properties
- Janka Hardness
- 1,840 lbf
- Modulus of Rupture (MOR)
- 20,700 psi
- Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
- 2,465 ×1000 psi
- Density
- 750 kg/m³
- Tangential Shrinkage
- 4.6%
- Radial Shrinkage
- 2.7%
- Botanical Family
- Leguminosae
- Tree
- A large tree often with a rather short, thick bole, sometimes to 50 ft, often fluted; trunk diameters to 5 ft above large spreading buttresses.
- Distribution
- Indo-Malayan region, Indonesia, Philippines, and many of the western Pacific islands as well as Australia.
- Other Names
- Kwila, Ipil, Malacca Teak, Mirabow, Moluccan Ironwood
Merbau Characteristics
Color
Heartwood yellowish to orange brown when freshly cut, turning brown or dark red brown on exposure; sapwood pale yellow to light buff, sharply demarcated from the heartwood.
Texture
Coarse
Grain
Straight to interlocked or wavy.
Luster
Variable
Durability
Heartwood has an average service life of 6 years in Malayan stake tests but generally reputed to have good durability; highly resistant to termite attack. Sapwood prone to powder-post beetle attack.
Drying
Seasons well with little degrade. Movement in service is rated as small.
Workability
Rather difficult to saw because of gumming of teeth and dulling of cutting edges, dresses smoothly in most operations, finishes well.
Applications
Flooring, furniture, paneling, fine joinery, decorative turnery, cabinetmaking, musical instruments, specialty items. The wood is also a dye source.
Photosensitivity
Moderate
Merbau truly is a perfect exotic wood floor species for a number of reasons. Not only is it a great alternative to Brazilian Cherry, which has become harder & harder to acquire, not to mention somewhat expensive, but it has all of the properties you look for in a wood floor; beautiful color, optimum hardness, & outstanding stability.
Nova USA currently imports Merbau in a Solid 11/16" x 3-1/4” & 5” width. The product is Clear grade with 1’-6’ lengths and is only available Unfinished.