 What is
Rubberwood?Rubber plantations have
existed for hundreds of years in tropical
countries. These plantations have been used
mainly for the production of latex. After the
economic life of the rubber tree, which is
generally 30 years, the latex yields become
extremely low and the planters then fell the
rubber trees and plant new ones. This
eco-friendly Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) is
an excellent timber to use and its various
attributes are outlined here:
|
| APPEARANCE |
 |
Colour |
Pale cream
to yellowish brown. Oxidative discolouration can
be limited by rapid production sequence and
vacuum drying |
| Grain
pattern |
Mostly
straight. A cross section of Rubberwood shows few
concentric markings reminiscent of growth rings.
These markings combined with the large vessels in
structure give an attractive appearance with
clear patterns on the longitudinal surface. Many
characteristics of Rubberwood are similar to
Ramin wood. |
| Structure |
Uniform in
structure with an excellent 'Timber' feel. |
| PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES |
|
| Green
Density |
800 kg/m³ |
| Density
at 12% m.c. |
600–620
kg/m³ (light) |
| Relative
Density |
0.63–0.66
(moderately heavy timber) |
| Volume
Shrinkage |
Negligible
and comparable to Dark Red Meranti
Tangential 1.4%, Radial 1% |
Compression
Strength
(Parallel to Grain)
(Perpendicular to Grain) |
32 N/mm²
4.69 N/mm² |
Bending
Strength
(Modulus of Rupture) |
66 N/mm² |
| Sheer
Parallel to Grain |
11 N/mm² |
| Modulus
of Elasticity |
9240 N/mm² |
 |
WORKING
PROPERTIES |
| Durability |
Resistant
to many fungal, bacterial and mould attacks can
also be made resistant to other specific
susceptibilities. |
| Gluing |
Good and
compatible with almost all industrial grade
adhesives--its glue bond strength is high. |
| Machining |
Easy to
saw, machine, plane, turn and bore.
The resultant surfaces are fairly smooth |
| Nail
holding |
Average of
Radial Tengential value
Average of end values |
91 kg
53 kg |
| Screw
holding |
Average of
Radial Tengential value
Average of end values |
267 kg
164 kg |
   
|
