Kwila
Durability: Very Durable
Colour: Dark
Sizes available: 25, 40, 50, 75, 100 mm
| Trade Name: | Kwila |
| Botanical Species: | Intsia spp. |
| Other Names: | Merbau (Malaysia), Vesi (Fiji) |
| Country of Origin: | Papua New Guinea |
| Air Dry Density: | 870kgs/m³ |
| Durability: | Very Durable |
| Strength: | SD2 |
| Seasoning: | ||
| • | The timber dries slowly without appreciable degrade but if submitted to rapid drying conditions, there is a definite tendency for end splitting and surface checking to occur. | |
| • | It has a low shrinkage factor. | |
| Characteristics: | ||
| • | The heart wood is yellow-brown, brown or dark red, red-brown, turning to a dark red-brown with age. |
|
| • | The wood is hard and heavy, the texture is moderately coarse but even and the grain may be straight or interlocked and is often wavy. | |
| • | Sulphur-yellow and dark coloured deposits are characteristic of the species and can be commonly seen in the vessel cavities. | |
| Working Qualities: | ||
| • | Saws well, however with the fairly high incidence of gum, saws tend to become clogged. | |
| • | It planes well but there is a tendency for the grain to tear out in quarter-sawn material. | |
| • | A reduction in the cutting angle to 20° is beneficial. | |
| • | The wood tends to split when nailing but holds screws well and can be stained and polished reasonably well, however patches of oil that exude may affect the finish. | |
| • | The yellow deposits are soluble in water and the dye produced does stain. | |
| • | If early attention is given to any staining it can generally be removed by scrubbing with milk or lactic acid. | |
| Uses: | ||
| • | A very good heavy construction timber. | |
| • | Ideally suited for decking and outdoor furniture. | |
| • | It is also used in internal joinery and flooring, striking tool handles and carving. | |
| Product Attributes: | ||
| • | Yellow brown timber which will turn red brown with age. | |
| • | Long lengths available. | |
| • | A very strong, durable, stable timber. | |
| • | Fixed widths available. | |
| • | Veneers available. | |
| Product Limitations: | ||
| • | Does leach when in contact with water. | |
| • | Care needed when machining. | |
| • | Care needed when staining, polishing and gluing due to natural resins. | |
