Merbau Species Information
Top portion is finished with water-base urethane; bottom with
oil-modified polyurethane.
Appearance
Color: Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when freshly
cut, turning brown or dark red-brown upon exposure.
Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture.
Variations within species and grades: Moderate to high variation
in color.
Properties
Hardness (Janka): 1925; 49% harder than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00158;
57% more stable than red oak). However, actual installations
have demonstrated significant movement in use.
Durability: Strength is comparable to hickory, but density is
somewhat lower.
Workability
Sawing/Machining: Sawing is difficult; wood gums saw teeth and
dulls cutting edges; carbide tooling recommended.
Sanding: Sands satisfactorily.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Wood stains black in contact with ferrous metals or
moisture.
Comments: High resistance to termites.
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