Merbau is the commercial name for wood, which is obtained from several species of tropical plants. It is appreciated for its high strength, decorativeness, and resistance to adverse weather conditions.
Tree description
Aboriginal material names:
- quila
- lumfo
- Ipil
- tat-talun.
Root system Intsia helps to improve the mineral composition of the soil, prevents, slows down the processes of erosion. Trees grow well on all types of soil: from stony, loose, sandy to heavy loamy. Wide shady crowns have a picturesque appearance, the leaves emit volatile, contribute to air purification. Plants are suitable for landscaping parks, strengthening sloping banks.
Description and specifications of the material
Sawn logs emit a characteristic astringent aroma of essential oils, do not have perfect cut circles, sections without curvature, grooves, and other defects are short. The sapwood of the material is narrow, yellow, clearly demarcated from the sound array. For logs with a diameter of 100 cm, it is 5–7 cm. The core is golden-orange, pink or light brown, with contrasting yellow or grayish inclusions of mineral compounds: gum, sulfur. As it dries, the surface of the core darkens, acquires a bronze or brownish-red hue.
Drying is carried out in logs or sawn form at a temperature of 42–48 ° С. The material reaches the required 15% humidity slowly, at least 2 months, but practically does not warp, does not decrease in volume. The tangential shrinkage is 4.6%, radial - 2.7%, in volume - no more than 8%. There is a small risk of hairline cracks during the drying process.
The density of the dried material varies from 640 to 960 kg / m3. This tree is heavier and harder than oak, teak. The bending strength is 115 MPa, compression across the fibers - 58.2 MPa, along - 9.17 MPa. Hardness on the Jank scale ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 units, according to Monique - 8.8. Saturation of cells with moisture when completely immersed is not more than 24%.
The finished material has a homogeneous, somewhat rough texture with a beautiful combination of sections of straight, wavy, wavy-wavy fibers in the form of twists, ribbons, weaves, loops. After several years of operation, the array becomes more matte, acquires a silver tint.
Kinds
Intsia palembanica and Intsia bijuga - The main varieties of species that provide valuable lumber. Both species grow together, differ only in the shape of the leaves. Technical characteristics of wood are almost the same. The material grown on plantations in virgin forests also has no differences.
Sometimes the wood of Dussia (Afselia) is referred to the Merbau variety. This is an African or Madagascar breed of light red or bright brown hue. It is characterized by high hardness.
Fields of application
Oceania natives used thick logs Intsia for the manufacture of military canoes, the construction of houses. On the island of Fiji, they were supported by temples, carved sacred gongs, ritual bowls.
In Europe, merbau was used for the construction of sleepers, bridge supports, dams. In modern industry, this type of wood is used as raw material for the manufacture of massive boards, planed veneers. It produces various types of flooring, doors, window profiles, stairs, balustrades, decoration panels for rooms, yachts, and ground transportation of extra class.
Cases, parts of stringed musical instruments, fragments of artistic inlay, handles, ethnic-style wooden ornaments, figurines, figurines are carved from merbau, they produce expensive furniture.
Cabinetmakers love this material for the original drawing, rich shades.
Merbau wood oil is used for the production of ink, insecticides, and traditional medicine. It makes preparations for the treatment of joint inflammation. The crushed bark, the green part of the shoots are used as an anesthetic, anti-febrile and bactericidal agent.
Advantages
Merbau is used where resistance to high loads, strength, resistance to moisture are required. The material is suitable for external use, as it withstands temperature extremes, is insensitive to sunlight, winds, does not swell, does not crack. Wear resistance, stability make Merbau flooring suitable for audiences, clubs, dance halls.
The array has high biological stability, is practically not affected by fungus, termites, other woodworms, does not rot, does not require additional treatment with antiseptics. A long stay in water, direct contact with moist soil can be detrimental to the material.
Merbau does not crumble during processing, holds fasteners in the form of brackets or screws. Due to the high hardness of the tree, difficulties arise when driving nails.
The array is well etched with any tinting compounds, retains varnishes, paints, lends itself to gluing, polishing. Resistant to mechanical damage, durable, for decades does not require restoration.
Disadvantages
The wood of Merbau rocks is saturated with natural oils, dry material emits a lot of dust during processing. Vapors of essential oils, the smallest solid particles penetrate the respiratory tract, settle on the mucous membrane, provoking allergic reactions, a strong cough. When working with merbau, it is necessary to use protective equipment.
The presence in the thickness of the array of pockets with reserves of mineral deposits provides high strength, but reduces the elasticity of wood fibers. Merbau is difficult to grind, saw, cut, quickly dulls the working surfaces of tools. With strong shock loads, the tree may split. For a long time, only tungsten blades do not fail. With improper sawing, the edges of the cut fibers often bully.
Another drawback of wood is the darkening of the surface in places of contact with metal fittings. A light array inevitably changes hue as a result of long operation in bright light. To avoid the appearance of a grayish tint, it is necessary to tint the surface.
Import and value
Most of the raw materials come from New Guinea, Indonesia. Often the material is not certified. Illegally cut down timber is exported first to China or Japan. From there it is transported by large trading companies. This threatens the existence of natural habitats. Intsiabut the wood resource is regularly renewed through plantations.
Cost of 1 m3from which you can make 25 m2 parquet, is 120-140 dollars, the retail price of the material to the consumer costs from 2000 dollars and above.
In Russia, the cost of flooring from Merbau varies from 2500 to 4000 rubles. per 1 m2, solid board - from 5500 to 6000 rubles. per 1 m2.