MERBAU

merbau TIMBER USES

The tropical wood merbau is a very durable, hard and heavy, versatile wood.

It can be used for the following purposes:

Structures and panels

• Sliced veneer

Exterior joinery (building facade)

• Cladding and outer coating
• Windows and doors
• Shutters and closures

Carpentry and interior fittings

• Wooden floors
• Interior staircases
• Doors and door frames
• Interior panelling and cladding
• Layout and furnishings
• Furniture and cabinetmaking

Outdoor equipment - Recreation

• Exterior staircases and guard railing
• Single-level terraces and pool areas
• Elevated terraces, balconies and corridors
• Shelters, outdoor furniture and playgrounds
• Gates
• Visual barriers and windbreak panels, pergolas

 Industrial usage and heavy work

• Hydraulic works in a submerged marine environment
• Structures and bridges in contact with soil or freshwater
• Acoustic barriers in urban areas along railroads and highways
• Sleepers and dunnage
• Industrial floors and heavy framework
• Vehicle, wagon and container bottom (or floor)

Shipbuilding

• Boat decks and planking

Miscellaneous uses

• Tool handles
• Musical instruments
• Packing and crating

DISTRIBUTION AREA OF merbau

Mainly present in Asia and Oceania, the exotic species merbau is also found in Central Africa.

DESCRIPTION OF merbau TIMBER

• Color: brown
• Sapwood: clearly demarcated
• Texture: coarse
• Grain: straight or interlocked
• Interlocked grain: slight

merbau: PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Read the Tropix sheet of merbau (CIRAD).

merbau: NATURAL DURABILITY AND TREATABILITY

• Funghi: class 1-2 - very durable to durable
• Dry wood borers: durable - sapwood demarcated (risk limited to sapwood)
• Termites : class M - moderately durable
• Treatability: class 4 - not permeable
• Use class ensured by natural durability: class 4 - in ground or fresh water
• Species covering the use class 5: No

Read the Tropix sheet of merbau (CIRAD).

PROCESSING OF merbau TIMBER

Read the Tropix sheet of merbau (CIRAD).

Sources :

• CIRAD
• ATIBT