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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Certified Source
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Steam Bending
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Varnishing
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Shorea negrosensis

Trade Name
Dark red meranti

Family Name
Dipterocarpaceae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Apnit, Aruas, Babanganon, Bagtikan, Balakbakan, Bangabang, Bataan, Bayakan, Binaliuan, Botgo, Bunga, Chapui, Danilang, Dark red lauan, Dark red meranti, Dark red Philippine mahogany, Dark red seraya, Hillagasi, Hinlagasi, Kalayaan, Kalian, Kila, Kuebang batu, Kuliaan, Lagasi, Lauaan, Lauaan-ayian, Lauaan-ayuan, Lauaan-pula, Lauaan-tabiban, Lauaan-takuban, Lauan, Mag-orang, Magaboling, Magangao, Malagangao, Malatbang, Manggachapui, Mayapis, Nemesu, Oba suluk, Philippine mahogany, Philippine red mahogany, Red lauan, Saplig, Takoban pula, Takuban, Tampalasaha, Tampalasha, Tangile, Tiaong, Ubanan, Ughayan, Yampalasaha

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand

Common Uses
Beams, Bedroom suites, Bent Parts, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: decking, Boat building: planking, Building construction, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Chests, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Drawer sides, Excelsior, Factory construction, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Hatracks, Heavy construction, Joinery, Joists, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Millwork, Musical instruments, Office furniture, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Plywood, Porch columns, Veneer, Veneer: decorative

Environmental Profile
Little or no threat to its population
Generally secure within its natural habitat
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center


Distribution Overview
The Dark red meranti group of Shorea is found in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The genera occurs extensively, from Sri Lanka and India in the west and throughout Burma and many regions in Southeast Asia, and up to the Philippine islands in the east. The forests in Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula are reported to contain the highest concentrations of Shorea species.

Heartwood Color
White
Yellow
Red
Orange
Brown
Reddish brown
Red
Brown, red, dark reddish brown with nearly black stripes after prolonged exposure
Pale red to pink
Dark brown to deep red, and sometimes deep purple
Conspicuous white dammar or red streaks


Sapwood Color
Red
Yellow
White
White to yellow
Well defined
Pinkish
Paler than heartwood
Not clearly differentiated from the heartwood


Grain
Interlocked
Figure
Rippled (figure)
Stripe (figure)

Interlocked
Rippled figure
Striped figure


Texture
Medium
Coarse
Resinous and oily
Coarse
Medium to coarse


Luster
High
Medium
Lustrous
Non-lustrous
Dull


Natural Growth Defects
Latex or other ducts
Brittleheart sometimes present.
Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive


Natural Durability
Non-durable
Susceptible to insect attack
Perishable
Non-resistant to termites
Non-resistant to powder post beetles
Moderately durable
Vulnerable to attack by powder-post beetles
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) often present in the standing tree
Not resistant to attack by marine borers
Non durable
Moderately durable to durable
Durable


Odor
Has a taste
No specific taste
Distinctive resinous odor


Kiln Schedules
T6-D4 (4/4)
T3-D3 (8/4) US Schedule F (4/4) United Kingdom
Drying (speed) is fast
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Splitting
Checking
Distortion
Discoloration
Warping may also occur durin drying
Thick material may check and end split
Slight surface checking
Moderate twist/warp


Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Rapidly
Reconditioning Treatement
Easy
Fairly difficult to dry
Dries slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Naturally dries quickly
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast


Tree Identification
Bole/stem form is straight
Bole/stem form is cylindrical
Bole/stem form is buttressed


Tree Size
Tree height is 10-20 m
Tree height is 20-30 m
Bole length is 10-20 m
Bole length is 0-10 m
Tree height is 40-50 m
Tree height is 30-40 m
Bole length is 20-30 m


Product Sources
Shorea species is a major timber source in international trade. Trees are plentiful, and supplies of timber and other timber products are universally available, especially in the form of veneers. This popular wood is typically priced in the inexpensive range.

Many species in the Shorea genus are also a source of other economically important non-timber products. Seeds of some species yield fat which is used in the manufacture of chocolate. Others produce nuts, the most common of which is the illipe nuts of commerce produced by S. gysbertisiana . The nuts yield a fat which is similar to cocoa-butter in some of its properties. Shorea trees are also tapped for oleo-resin, and typical dammar is obtained from S. wiesneri which grows in Java and Sumatra. The tree of S. robusta produces dammar which is used as a disinfectant and as incense in religious ceremonies in India. Other non-timber products from Shorea are reported to include tannin and fibers.

Certified Source
Certified Source


Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Blunting Effect
Moderate
Little
Slight blunting effect on cutting tools
Blunting effect on machining is slight


Boring
Fair to good results
Fairly easy to very easy
May occasionally be fuzzy
Easy


Carving
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good carving properties


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Interlocked grain cause sawn surfaces to be fibrous
Easy to saw


Gluing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Easy to glue
Good gluing properties


Mortising
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Mortises easily and clearly with sharp tools


Moulding
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Responds readily to ordinary tools in boring operations to produce clean surfaces
Easy to mould

The timber is stronger and harder than light red meranti

Movement in Service
Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement
Small
Holds its shape well after seasoning
Dimensionally stable after seasoning


Nailing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Holds nails well
Good nailing characteristics


Planing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Interlocked grain may cause some tearing, and a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended in planing
Easy to work in planning and almost all machine operations
Cutting edges should be kept clean and sharp


Resistance to Impregnation
Permeable heartwood
Permeable sapwood
Sapwood is permeable
Resistant to very resistant to preservative treatment
Heartwood is resistant
Fairly permeable


Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Responds Readily
Easy to machine
The operation requires sharp cutting edges for best results
Responds well to hand tools


Routing & Recessing
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Routs easily with ordinary machine tools
Cutting edges should be kept clean and very sharp to prevent fibrous surfaces in material containing interlocked grain


Sanding
Better sanding qualities than lighter stock


Screwing
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Good screwing properties
Easy to screw


Turning
Fairly Easy to Very Easy
Fair to Good Results
Turned surfaces of straight-grained material are usually clean
Good turning qualities


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for peeling
Veneers easily
Veneers moderately easy
There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits
Easy to cut


Steam Bending
Poor
Buckels severely at realtively large radii of curvature, even with use of supporting strap


Painting
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Surface Preparation
Good results
Takes a good polish


Staining
Fair to Good Results
Very Good to Excellent Results
Satisfactory staining properties
Finish is generally good


Varnishing
Very Good to Excellent Results
Fair to Good Results
Fairly Easy to Very Easy


Strength Properties
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft.
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = soft
Work to Maximum Load = very low
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft.
Weight=High
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Resists wearing and marring
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Max. crushing strength = low
Hardness = medium
Density=High
Compression strength (parallel to grain) = medium
Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12%moisture content)is high-comparable to Teak


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength698010609psi
Crushing Strength524711psi
Density38lbs/ft3
Hardness908lbs
Impact Strength22inches
Maximum Crushing Strength36795951psi
Shearing Strength1290psi
Static Bending45306842psi
Stiffness144316841000 psi
Toughness250inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load79inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.540.64
Weight3726lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage13%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength490745kg/cm2
Crushing Strength3649kg/cm2
Density608kg/m3
Hardness411kg
Impact Strength55cm
Maximum Crushing Strength258418kg/cm2
Shearing Strength90kg/cm2
Static Bending318481kg/cm2
Stiffness1011181000 kg/cm2
Toughness288cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load0.490.63cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.540.64
Weight592416kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Arno, J. 1988. Shorea spp. - Luan. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. 1994. Page 329-330.

Brown, W.H.,1969,Properties and uses of Tropical hardwoods in the United Kingdom. Part 1,Nonstructural properties and uses.,Conference on Tropical hardwoods SC-5/TN-5, Syracuse University

Chowdhury, K.A. and S.S. Ghosh. 1958. Indian Woods - Their Identification, Properties and Uses, Volume I - Dilleniaceae to Elaeocarpaceae. Published by the Manager of Publications, Delhi, India.

Chudnoff, M.,1984,Tropical Timbers of the World,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products,Laboratory, Madison.

Cortes, R.T.,1940,Impact bending properties of twelve Philippine Dipterocarps,Philippine Journal of Forestry 3(3) pp325-43

Fundter, J.M.,1982,Names for Dipterocarp timbers and trees from Asia,Pudoc, Wageningen, Netherlands

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: Meranti - The Hardworking Import. Wood & Wood Products, May 1991. Page 48.

Keating, W.G., Bolza, E.,1982,Characteristics properties and uses of timbers. South East Asia, Northern,Australia and the Pacific,C.S.I.R.O. Div. Chemical Technology,Inkata Press,1

Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Lauricio, F. M., Bellosillo, S. B. 1966. The Mechanical and Related Properties of Philippine Woods, The Lumberman, 12(5): A-H.

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.

Lomibao, B.A.,1973,Guide to the identification of the woods of Philippine Dipterocarpaceae,Foxpride Digest 2(2) pp26-34

Reyes, L.J.,1938,Philippine Woods,Commonwealth of the Philippines Department of Agriculture and Commerce,Technical Bulletin,No.7

Skolmen, R.G.,1963,Robusta Eucalyptus Wood: Its Properties and Uses,US. Forest Service Research Paper, No. PSW-9, Pacific Southwest Forest,Range Experimental Station

Tamesis, F., Aguilar, L.,1953,The 'Philippine mahogany' and other Dipterocarp woods,Philippine Department of Agriculture and Natural Research Popular Bulletin,No.44

Timber Development Association,1942,Red Lauan - Shorea negrosensis,TRADA Timber Leaflet No. 36

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook - Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin.

WCMC. 1992. Conservation Status Listing - Trees and Timbers of the World. World Conservation Monitoring Center-Plants Programme, Cambridge, CB3 ODL, United Kingdom.