Red Meranti
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Common Name(s): Dark Red Meranti, Lauan, Philippine Mahogany Scientific Name: Shorea spp. Distribution: Southeast Asia Tree Size: 65-130 ft (20-40 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (675 kg/m3) Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .55, .68 Janka Hardness: 800 lbf (3,570 N) Modulus of Rupture: 12,710 lbf/in2 (87.7 MPa) Elastic Modulus: 1,743,000 lbf/in2 (12.02 GPa) Crushing Strength: 7,070 lbf/in2 (48.8 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.9%, Tangential: 7.8%, Volumetric: 12.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.0 |
Color/Appearance: Typically a dark reddish or purplish brown; commonly with white resin streaks present.
Grain/Texture: Grain can be straight or interlocked. With a coarse texture and low natural luster.
Endgrain: Diffuse-porous; large to very large pores in no specific arrangement, few to very few; solitary and radial multiples of 2-3; tyloses occasionally present; parenchyma vasicentric, winged, and banded with embedded resin canals; narrow to medium rays, spacing normal.
Rot Resistance: Reported as moderately-durable to non-durable in regard to decay resistance, but is susceptible to insect attack.
Workability: Typically easy to work, though any interlocked grain can present problems during planing, and Dark Red Meranti is reported to have very poor steam-bending properties. Some species may have a slight blunting effect on tools due to small levels of silica present in the wood. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Odor: No characteristic odor.
Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Meranti in the Shorea genus has been reported to cause eye, throat, and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
