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Heavy hardwoods - Kiranji

The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Dialium spp. (Leguminosae). Vernacular names applied include keranji (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak) with various epithets. Major species include D. indum, D. platysepalum, D. procerum and D. kunstleri. The sapwood is white to yellowish white, becomes light brown on exposure and is very distinct from the heartwood, which is golden brown or red-brown and darkens on exposure.

Also known as Keranji (Brunei); Kralanh and Kralanhlomie (Cambodia); Kedjongong, Kerandji, Kerandji asap, Keranji and Nyamut (Indonesia); Kheng and Mai kheempheep (Laos); Taung-kaye (Myanmar); Kayi-khao, Khleng and Yi-thongbung (Thailand); and Xoay (Vietnam).

DENSITY

The timber is a Heavy Hardwood with a density of 755-1250 kg/m3 air dry.

NATURAL DURABILITY

Keranji is classified as moderately durable under the typical Malaysian conditions.

PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT

The timber is difficult to treat and the heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment.

TEXTURE

Texture is fine to moderately coarse and even, with deeply interlocked and sometimes wavy grain.

STRENGTH PROPERTIES

The timber falls into Strength Group A (Engku, 1988) or SG 3 (MS 544:Part 2:2001).

Strength Properties of Keranji

Species Test Condition Modulus of Elasticity(MPa) Modulus of Rupture(MPa) Compression parallel to grain (MPa) Compression perpendicular to grain (MPa) Shear strength(MPa)
D.Platysepalum Green 18,800 109 54.5 - 10.9
Air dry 20,100 134 72.0 - 16.0
D.Wallichii Green 21,000 129 68.8 9.24 10.9
D.Patens Green 19,200 156 88.7 19.72 17.0

MACHINING PROPERTIES

It is easy to very difficult to resaw and easy to difficult to cross-cut, depending on the species. Planing is easy to slightly difficult and the planed surface is smooth, moderately smooth or rough in some radial boards due to picking-up of the grain.

Machining Properties of Keranji

Species Test Condition Sawing Planning Boring Turning
Rip Sawing Cross Cutting Ease of planing Quality of finish Ease of boring Quality of finish Ease of Turning Quality of finish
D.Laurinum Green Slightly difficult Slightly easy Moderately Easy Smooth Moderately Easy Smooth - -
Air dry - - - - - - - -
D.Patens Green Difficult Slightly difficult Slightly difficult Tangential:smooth,radial:rough due to grain pick up Easy Moderately Smooth - -
Air dry Very Difficult Difficult Slightly difficult Moderately Smooth Fairly Easy Moderately Smooth Easy Smooth
D.Platysepalum Green Easy Easy Easy Smooth Easy Smooth - -
Air dry Difficult Slightly difficult Easy Smooth Easy Smooth Easy Smooth
D.Wallichii Green Difficult Difficult Slightly difficult Moderately Smooth - - - -
Air dry Very Difficult Difficult Slightly difficult Moderately Smooth - - - -

Nailing Property

Nailing property is rated as poor.

Air drying

The timber seasons fairly slowly with slight degrade, like cupping, bowing, twisting, splitting, surface-checking as well as insect and fungal attacks on the sapwood. The timber is also moderately prone to end-checking. 13 mm thick boards take approximately 2 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 6 months.

Kiln-Drying

Kiln Schedule E is recommended. The timber is prone to surface-checking and end-splitting. 25 mm thick boards take approximately 10 days to kiln-dry from 50 to 10% moisture content.

Kiln Schedule E

Moisture Content(%) Temperature (Dry Bulb) Temperature (Wet Bulb) Relative Humidity (%)(approx.)
Green 120 48.5 115 46.0 85
60 120 48.5 113 45.0 80
40 125 51.5 116 46.5 75
30 130 54.5 117 47.0 65
25 140 60.0 120 49.0 55
20 155 68.0 127 53.0 45
15 170 76.5 136 58.0 40

SHRINKAGE

Shrinkage is variable, depending on species. D. platysepalum shows high shrinkage with radial shrinkage averages 2.3% and tangential shrinkage averages 3.7%. D. wallichii shows rather low shrinkage in that radial shrinkage averages only 1% and tangential shrinkage averages 1.7%.

MOVEMENT IN SERVICE

The movement of seasoned timber is classified under Type II.

Uses

The timber is suitable for heavy construction, gymnasium equipment, railway sleepers, tool handles (impact), vehicle bodies (framework and floor boards), mallets, poles, telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms, bridges, pallets (permanent and heavy duty type), laboratory benches, heavy duty furniture, flooring (heavy traffic), piling, door and window frames and sills, posts, beams, joists, rafters, fender supports, columns (heavy duty), staircase (balustrade, carriage, newel, riser, stringer, tread, bullnose, round end and winder), interior finishing, panelling, mouldings, joinery and cabinet making.

REFERENCES

Ani Sulaiman& Lim, S.C.1990. Malaysian Timbers - Keranji. Timber Trade Leaflet No.112. The Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 7 pp.

Engku Abdul Rahman Chik. 1998b. Basic and Grade Stresses for Strength Groups of Malaysian Timbers. Malayan Forest Service Trade Leaflet No.38. The Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.13 pp.

Engku Abdul Rahman Chik. 1998b. Basic and Grade Stresses for Strength Groups of Malaysian Timbers. Malayan Forest Service Trade Leaflet No. 38. The Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 13 pp.

Menon, P.K.B.1986. Uses of Some Malaysian Timbers. Revised by Lim, S.C. Timber Trade Leaflet No.31. The Malaysian Timber Industry Board and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.48 pp.

MS 544:Part 2:2001. Code of Practice for the Structural Use of Timber: Permissible Stress Design of Solid Timber.

Wong, T.M. 1982. A Dictionary of Malaysian Timbers. Revised by Lim, S.C. & Chung, R.C.K. Malayan Forest Records No.30. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. 201 pp.