Some Commerical Timber of Myanmar (Burma)
Teak
|
Botanical Name |
: |
Tectona grandis Linn.f.
|
 |
|
Trade Name |
: |
Kyun (Burma), Giata
(Vietnam), Teck (Laos),Teak (Indonesia, India, Thailand), Burma Teak. This is
the only true teak.
|
| |
The Tree |
: |
A large tree attaining a
height of 150 ft (45m),a girth of 10-12 ft (3-3.7 m) and a clear
bole of 80 ft (25 m) in favourable localities. A height of 100 ft
(30m),a girth of 8ft (2.4 m), and a clear bole of 36 ft (11 m) is
common. Older trees tend to be fluted and buttressed at the base.
Found growing gregariously in mixed deciduous forests of the plains
and lower hills throughout the country generally below the 3000 ft
(920m) level.
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| |
The Timber
Colour |
: |
Dark
golden-yellow, turning brown and dark brown, with age. The colour
and the markings of the wood vary considerably with localities. The
best teak of Burma from Pegu Yoma areas and forests in Upper Burma
has a uniform golden colour,occasionally with darker lines.Teak from
dry area is darker in colour,commonly with dark, broadly
wavy streaks,giving the timber an extremely handsome appearance. The
uniform, grey-brown coloured teak occurs in other areas of the
country.Plantation teak closely resembles natural teak but may be
lighter and more yellow in colour.Sapwood is white to pale yellowish
brown, narrow to medium wide. The timber has a distinct oily feel,
is strongly and characteristically scented but without distinct
taste. Luster dull.
|
| |
Grain |
: |
Normally straight, often
wavy when grown in dry localities.Very coarse and uneven texture.
|
| |
Specific Gravity |
: |
0.586 green and 0.568 air
dry. Moderately heavy, 40 lb/ft3 (640 kg/m3 )
air dry and 55
lb/ft3 (880 kg/m3 ) green.
|
| |
Strength |
: |
Strong,moderately elastic
and hard. |
| Moisture content |
Bending strength |
Mod. of Elasticity |
Compression parallel to grain |
Hardness (Radial) |
Impact Max.drop |
|
(%) |
lbf/in2
(N/mm2) |
1000 lbf/in2. (N/mm2) |
lbf/in2
(N/mm2) |
lb
(kg) |
inches
(mm) |
| 49.4 |
11460 |
1640 |
5710 |
980 |
36 |
| (49.4) |
(79) |
(11316) |
(39.4) |
(445) |
(914) |
| 14.1 |
14465 |
1830 |
8350 |
960 |
31 |
| (14.1) |
(100) |
(12627) |
(57.6) |
(436) |
(787) |
Movement |
: |
Small and exceptionally
steady. Shrinkage from green to oven dry is 2.5% tangentially and
1.5% radially.
|
| Seasoning |
: |
Should be stacked in open
piles under cover with good air circulation.Dries quickly without
much deterioration. Kiln seasons easily and degrade is slight.
Liable to change colour,but becomes uniform within a reasonable
time.
|
| Working Properties |
: |
Saws easily and works with
moderate ease by hand and machine tools. Excellent surface can be
obtained. Takes nails and screws fairly well, but brittle. Glues
satisfactorily. Peels well on rotary machine and makes excellent
plywood. Slices nicely for ornamental plywood. Turns and carves
finely with little hand finishing.
|
| Poloshing and Staining |
: |
Varnishes and polishes
effectively. Filling before polishing is recommended.
|
| Durability and
Preservation |
: |
One of the most naturally
durable timbers of the world. Practically impervious to insects and
white ants but
not immune to marine borers. High in resistance to acid and
fire. Lasts well in contact with or under water and lasts indefinitely
under cover.Extremely resistant to preservative treatments.
|
| Uses |
: |
Outstanding in a wide
range of uses on account of its durability,strength, moderate
weight, ease of working ,stability and attractive appearance.Widely
used in ship building, for decking, launches,boats,deck houses and
weather doors. Makes excellent furniture,carvings and interior
fittings for ships, offices, and public buildings.In house
construction makes fine doors, frames,windows, window frames,
stair-cases, floors,panelling, cupboards and fittings.Widely used for
gates, fencing, verandahs, garden furniture and exterior
joinery.Makes a good floor with high resistance to wear ,especially
for moderate traffic in public buildings. Used for scrubbing towers
and fume ducts in chemical plants as it is resistant to chemicals.
Can be used in heavy construction ,like bridges.Makes high grade
veneer and plywood.One of the best all-round timbers of the world. |
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