Botanical Name :
Shorea lavefolia Endent
Family Name :
Dipterocarpaceae
Domestically it is better known as Bangkirai wood, while outside Indonesia it is known as Yellow Balau or sometimes just Balau, which is actually a name from Malaysia. This wood is only found in abundance in Indonesia, Malaysia & the Philippines.
Bangkirai trees
Can be up to 120 cm in diameter and up to 40 meters high. The average diameter is 70-90cm.
Wood Color
The wood is yellow and sometimes slightly brownish, which is why it is called yellow balau. The difference between sapwood and heartwood is quite clear, with the sapwood being lighter in color. When it has just been cut, the wood part of the terrace sometimes looks reddish brown.
The Density
hardness of Bangkirai wood is quite high, between 880-990 kg/m3 at 12% MC drought. It can even reach 1050 kg/m3.
Drying
Bangkirai drying process with normal temperature is 12-25 days. The greatest risk is the wood warping or even cracking while still in the oven.
Machine Process
The type of fiber with a strong bond, the machining process will be quite easy and smooth, but after a few hours in the open air, Bangkirai Fiber has a tendency to open and ‘twist’ so it is not suitable for construction that requires high stability.
However, because of its hardness, bangkirai is very suitable for decking products, outdoor furniture, bridge construction, pergolas and other heavy construction.
reference: Cabana, savanna