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Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Drying Defects
Family Name
Grain
Heartwood Color
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
References
Regions of Distribution
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Kermadecia vitiensis

Trade Name
Kauceuti

Family Name
Proteaceae

Wood Image 1

Common Names
Kauceuti

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

Countries of Distribution
Fiji [Polynesia]

Common Uses
Cabinetmaking, Furniture, Moldings, Paneling, Veneer

Heartwood Color
Brown
Red
Black
Pale red to pink
Reddish brown
Brown


Sapwood Color
Green/Grey
Red
Brown
Well defined
Different than heartwood


Grain
Even
Interlocked
Straight

Figure shows rays
Straight
Interlocked


Texture
Coarse


Natural Durability
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable


Drying Defects
Slight twist/warp
Moderate collapse and honeycombing


Tree Size
Tree height is 10-20 m


Cutting Resistance
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy


Turning
Easy to turn


Veneering Qualities
No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting
Easy to cut


Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = low
Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = medium


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength664410418psi
Density32lbs/ft3
Maximum Crushing Strength21393916psi
Shearing Strength1221psi
Stiffness113113211000 psi
Weight3125lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage3%
Tangential Shrinkage10%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength467732kg/cm2
Density512kg/m3
Maximum Crushing Strength150275kg/cm2
Shearing Strength85kg/cm2
Stiffness79921000 kg/cm2
Weight496400kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage3%

References
Alston, A.S.,1966,Natural Heartwood Durability,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No. 2

Alston, A.S.,1966,Powder Post Beetle Lyctus Species,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.6

Bolza, E., Kloot, N.H.,1972,The Mechanical Properties of 56 Fijian Timbers,Australia C.S.I.R.O. Division of Forest Products Technological Paper,No.,62

Fiji Department of Forestry,1969,A Summary of the Properties of 34 Indigenous Timbers,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. Fiji timbers and their uses No.38

Fiji Forestry Department,1970,The Properties and Potential Uses of Kauceuti (Kermadecia vitiensis) A,Summary of C.S.I.R.O. Investigations,Fiji Timbers and their Uses No.42, Department of Forestry, Suva, Fiji