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Blunting Effect
Boring
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Corrosive Properties
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
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Silica Content
Staining
Strength Properties
Texture
Toxicity
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities

Scientific Name
Koompassia excelsa

Trade Name
Tualang

Family Name
Leguminosae

Wood Image 1

Wood Image 1

Common Names


Ginoo
Kayu raja
Kayu rajah
Mangaris
Manggis
Mengaris
Menggeris
Raja kayu
Tapang
Tualang
Yuan

Regions of Distribution
Oceania and S.E. Asia

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

Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Boat building (general), Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Chairs, Charcoal, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Construction, Crossties, Desks, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Heavy construction, Mine timbers, Musical instruments, Musical instruments: strings, Paneling, Poles, Posts, Railroad ties, Rustic furniture, Shipbuilding, Sporting Goods, Stools, Structural work, Tables , Tables, Turnery, Utility furniture, Utility poles, Vehicle parts, Veneer: decorative, Walking sticks, Wardrobes

Environmental Profile
Likely rare in many parts of its natural habitat
Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center

Its status in the wild is listed as unknown because of inadequate information in Thailand, Sabah, and Sarawak

Distribution Overview
Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, north-eastern Sumatra, Borneo and Palawan. Grows in primary tropical rainforest usually along rivers, in valleys and lower slopes of hills, locally abundant. A common but usually not very abundant species. Solitary trees standing alone in the open are encountered comparatively often because they are difficult to cut and because local people harvest honey from the tree crowns.

Heartwood Color
Red
Purple
Pink
Brown
Reddish brown
Dark brown
Red
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Dark brown

The heartwood is initially dark red but, it matures into a deep chocolate color, often with conspicuous broad alternating bands of lighter and darker tissue.

Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
White to yellow
Well defined
Pinkish
Yellow/Brown
Very wide
Pink tinge
Grayish white
Figure occurrence is very fine and distinct

Width is about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm).

Grain
Figure
Interlocked
Stripe (figure)
Rippled (figure)
Distinct (figure)
Ribbon (figure)

Interlocked
Striped figure
Rippled figure
Ribbon figure
Distinct figure

Areas of abnormal tissue are reported to appear as prominent zig-zag markings on plain cut surfaces.

Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Medium coarse to coarse
Even textured


Luster
Medium
Slightly lustrous
Dull


Natural Growth Defects
Yellowish deposits in vessels
Whitish deposits in vessels
Heart rot in older trees
Brittleheart is often frequent and extensive
Bark inclusion


Natural Durability
Durable
Moderately durable
Moderately durable
Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles
Non durable
Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera)
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) may be present in the felled log
Susceptible to termite attack
Susceptible to marine borer attack
Susceptible to attack from the pinhole borer beetle
Sapwood susceptible to attack by powder post beetles
Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present
Perishable


Odor
No specific smell or taste


Silica Content
Ilica Content

Some sources report a silica content of 0.28% by weight (ovendry).

Light-Induced Color Change
Darker


Corrosive Properties
Reacts with metals


Toxicity
Dermatitic effects


Kiln Schedules
Dry at a slow speed


Drying Defects
Moderate twist/warp
Moderate end spitting
Slight surface checking
Slight end splitting

Care is required during drying to prevent warping. Splitting may also occur during seasoning because of ingrown inner bark

Ease of Drying
Fairly Easy
Some tendency to warp and split
Dries slowly


Kiln Drying Rate
Drying rate is fairly rapid to fast


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


Tree Size
Bark width is 5-10 mm
Bole length is 10-20 m
Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm


The tree is described as very large, tall and straight. Trees in the Malay Peninsular attain a trunk diameter often exceeding 60 inches (150 cm) above very large buttresses. Philippine trees reach a trunk diameter of up to 40 inches (100 cm) or more.

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Logs are sinkers, and are reported to shatter frequently on falling because of their size. The tree is seldom harvested for timber because it is very heavy and develops very high buttresses. The wood also lacks natural durability, is difficult to work, and liable to split, factors which make it less desirable than other local timbers than can be used for similar purposes.

Reaction with Metals - Moist wood is reported to stain black when it comes in contact with iron and iron compounds.

Blunting Effect
Timber requires special tipped cutters to saw
Blunting effect on machining is moderate


Boring
Difficult
Moderately easy
Easy


Cutting Resistance
Easy to saw
Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy
Cutting Resistance with green wood is difficult
Cutting Resistance with dry wood is difficult

The material is hard and tough, but it saws well if chromium-plated bits or band saws are used.

Gluing
Difficult to glue

Difficult to glue, especially with urea formaldehyde adhesives.

Mortising
Mortising characteristics are generally good although the wood is hard and tough

Moulding
Good finishing results


Nailing
Holds nails well
Easy to nail
Difficult to nail

Special nails are recommended since chemicals in the wood are reported to stain iron and iron compounds.

Planing
Easy to plane
Planes to a satisfactory finish
Planes well, to a good finish
Difficult to plane
Difficult to plane with hand or machine tools

Smooth surfaces are difficult to achieve and a 20 degree cutting angle is recommended.

Resistance to Impregnation
Resistant heartwood
Resistant sapwood
Heartwood is moderately resistant
Heartwood is permeable
Sapwood is permeable

Sapwood responds readily to pressure treatment.

Response to Hand Tools
Easy to Work
Difficult to machine
Moderate working qualities
Hard and tough wood may be difficult to work with hand tools


Screwing
Requires special screws since damp wood is reported to stain black in the presence of iron and iron compounds

Turning
Easy to turn
Finish is generally satisfactory
Poor results


Veneering Qualities
Suitable for slicing
Suitable for peeling
Moderately easy to veneer


Polishing
Fair to Good Results
Satisfactory results
Good results
Requires a filler
High polish


Staining
Reacts with Iron to discolour wood
Finish is generally satisfactory

Staining properties are good after grain filling.

Strength Properties
Max. crushing strength = high
Density (dry weight) = 53 - 60 lbs/cu. ft.
Bending strength (MOR) = medium
Hardness (side grain) = hard
Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft.
Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium
Shrinkage, Tangential = very small
Shrinkage, Radial = very small
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low
Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large
Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very high
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high
Shrinkage, Tangential = small
Shrinkage, Tangential = large
Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large
Shrinkage, Radial = small
Shrinkage, Radial = moderate
Shrinkage, Radial = large
Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low
Max. crushing strength = medium
Hardness (side grain) = medium
Bending strength (MOR) = low
Bending strength (MOR) = high


Numerical Data
ItemGreenDryEnglish
Bending Strength1223916287psi
Crushing Strength10241146psi
Density54lbs/ft3
Hardness1938lbs
Impact Strength3643inches
Maximum Crushing Strength72099346psi
Shearing Strength2340psi
Static Bending881110169psi
Stiffness219424461000 psi
Work to Maximum Load1115inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity0.650.75
Weight5351lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage4.5%
Tangential Shrinkage7%
Volumetric Shrinkage12%
ItemGreenDryMetric
Bending Strength8601145kg/cm2
Crushing Strength7180kg/cm2
Density865kg/m3
Hardness879kg
Impact Strength91109cm
Maximum Crushing Strength506657kg/cm2
Shearing Strength164kg/cm2
Static Bending619714kg/cm2
Stiffness1541711000 kg/cm2
Work to Maximum Load0.771.05cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity0.650.75
Weight849817kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage4.5%
Tangential Shrinkage7%

References
Acosta-Solis, M.,1960,Maderas Economicas del Ecuador y sus Usos,Editorial Casa de la Culhra Ecuatoriana Quito

Australia C.S.I.R.O.,1969,Treatment of sawn of round timbers by the Boulton Process,C.S.I.R.O. Preservation Section Annual Report Project pp10-32

Balan Menon, P.K.,1967,The structure and identification of Malayan woods,Malyasia Forestry Department, Forestry Research Institute, Malayan Forest,Records,No.25

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Browne, F.G.,1955,Forest Trees of Sarawak and Brunei and their Products.,Government Printing Office, Kuching, Sarawak

Burgess, P.F.,1966,Timbers of Sabah,Sabah Forest Record, no.6

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

Desch, H. E. 1957. Manual of Malayan Timbers - Volume I. Malayan Forest Records, No. 15. Malaya Publishing House Ltd., Singapore.

Desch, H. E. 1957. Manual of Malayan Timbers. Malayan Forest Records, 28(30):315-318

Desch, H.E.,1954,Manual of Malayan Timbers (2 vols,Malayan Forest Records,no.15

I. Soerianegara and R.H.M.J. Lemmens (Editors,1993,Plant Resources of South-East Asia 5,(PROSEA, 1,Timber trees: Major commercial timbers,Pudoc Scientific Publishers, Wageningen 1993

Jackson, W.F.,1957,The Durability of Malayan Timbers,Malayan Forester,20,pp38-48

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

Kraemer, J.H.,1951,Trees of the Western Pacific Region,West Lafayette, Indiana U.S.A.

Kribbs, D.A. 1959. Commercial Foreign Woods on the American Market. Buckhout Lab., Dept. of Botany, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.

Lee, Y.H., Chu, Y.P.,1965,The Strength Properties of Malayan Timbers,Malayan Forester 28(4) pp307-19

Lee, Y.H., et al,1974,Commercial Timbers of Peninsular Malaysia,Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Department of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia and,Malaysian Timber Industry Board

Lee, Y.H., Lopez, D.T.,1968,The Machining Properties of some Malayan Timbers,Malayan Forester,3,pp194-210

Maeglin, R.R., C.K. Baah, G. Troemner, J.D. Danielson, and S.P. Loehnertz. 1989. Sawing of Difficult Species: Pre-project Study. PPR 14/89 (I). Prepared for ITTO by United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Malaysian Timber Industry Board,1986,100 Malaysian Timbers,The Malaysian Timber Industry Board

Mendoza, E.U.,1977,Bending Properties of Manggis (Koompassia excelsa,Forpride Digest 6(1) pp42-47

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Perkasa,1978,The Properties of Sarawak timber - Tapang (Koompassia exelsa,Perkasa 25 pp12-13

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

Sarawak - Borneo Lit.Bureau,1961,Common Sarawak timbers,Borneo Lit. Bureau for Sarawak Forestry Department

Schneider, E.E. 1916. Commercial Woods of the Philippines: Their Preparation and Uses. Bulletin No. 14. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Forestry, Manila, Philippines.

Tamolang, F.N., Et al,1978,Basic and Technological Information on Manggis (Koopassia excelsa [bece],Taub,Forpride Digest 7(4) pp19-33

The Malayan Forester,1964,Timber tests - Tualang (Koompassia excelsa,Malayan Forester 27(3) pp267-271

Tsumoto, T., Karasawa, H.,1975,The Properties of Tropical Woods 21,Government of Japan Forest Experimental Station Bulletin,No.227

Uganda Forest Department,1957,Akasinsa (Celtis africana,Uganda Forestry Department Timber Leaflet,No.32

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

Whitmore, T.C. (Ed.,1972,Tree Flora of Malaya A Manual for Foresters Volume 1,Forest Department Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Malaysia

Wood, B., Calnan, D.,1976,Toxic Woods,British Journal of Dermat 94 Suppl. 13