Balau

Balau

Durability:

Very durable and immune from insect or fungal attack. Extremely resistant to preservation treatment.

Strength Class = D70;
Weight per m3 12% m.c. = 880-995 Kg;
Modulus of elasticity 12% m.c. = 19000 N/mm2;
Durability = Very Durable.

Mechanical Properties:

Hard, heavy and very dense with a very high bending and crushing strength, and resistance to shock loads and high stiffness. Balau has a moderate steam bending classification requiring strong support on the outer face.

Seasoning:

Balau timber dries very slowly with considerable degrade in thicker sizes, but distortion is not serious. Checking and splitting may be severe and existing shakes are liable to extend. Boards should be partially air dried before kilning. Movement is medium in service.

Uses:

  • Heavy construction work
  • Bridge and wharf construction
  • Hardwood balau decking
  • Sleepers
  • Boats
  • Plywood
  • Veneer
  • General construction
  • Flooring
  • a number of other general utility purposes
Get in Touch

Description

Balau’s heartwood is yellow-brown, varying to brown and dark reddish-brown, with an interlocked grain and a moderately fine and even texture. It has a coarse texture with medium to large pores and the grain is sometimes interlocked. The weight of balau averages 930 kg/m³ (58 lb/ft³); specific gravity .93.

Additional information

Latin Name

Shorea spp

Family Name

Dipterocarpaceae

Distribution

West Malaysia

Timber you may like

  • Meranti

    Meranti is a tropical hardwood usually found in South East Asia. The heartwood colour is medium to dark red brown with conspicuous white dammar or resin streaks. The sapwood of Meranti wood however is lighter in colour. The grain is interlocked and wavy giving Meranti a coarse texture. Brittle heart can also be present. Meranti timber tends to have a weight from 580-770 kg/m³ (36-48 lb/ft³) with an average of 670 kg/m³ (42 lb/ft³) and a specific gravity 0.67.

  • Sapele

    The heartwood has a medium to dark reddish-brown colour, characterised by a well-defined ribbon striped figure on quartered surfaces. Sometimes, when wavy grain is present, a very attractive fiddleback figure, roe figure or occasionally, beautiful mottled figure is obtained. The grain is interlocked or wavy and the texture fairly fine. Has a cedar-like scent when freshly cut. The timber is liable to ring or cup shakes. Weight varies between 560-690 kg/m³ (35-43 lb/ft³) averages about 620 kg/m³ (39 lb/ft³); specific gravity .62.

  • Zebrano

    The heartwood is a light golden-yellow with narrow veining or streaks of dark brown to almost black, giving the quartered surfaces a zebra-stripe appearance. The grain is interlocked or wavy and produces alternating hard and soft grained material which makes the timber difficult to work. Zebrano has a coarse texture and a lustrous surface. Weight 740 kg/m³ (46 lb/ft³); specific gravity .74.

  • Jatoba

    Jatoba timber, also known as Brazilian cherry, has heartwood that is salmon red to orange-brown, marked with dark brown and russet brown streaks. The wood has a golden lustre. The grain is commonly interlocked with a medium to coarse texture. Weight 910kg/m³ (56lb/ft³); specific gravity .91.