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Melunak Wood: Characteristics and Uses  Melunak Wood: Characteristics and Uses

 Introduction
Melunak is the Standard Malaysian Name for the wood of the Pentace species (Tiliaceae). This wood is recognized by various vernacular names such as balong ayam, baru, janda baik, kebal ayam, and kempayang hantu in Peninsular Malaysia. In Sarawak, it’s known as melunak, while in Sabah, it’s referred to as takalis. The major species include P. adenophora, P. curtisii, P. laxiflora, P. macrophylla, and P. triptera. The sapwood is typically yellow or light straw-colored, distinct from the heartwood, which is brown with a red or pink tinge or red-brown.

Melunak is also known by other names in different regions, including Melunak in Brunei, Sisiet and Tassiet in Cambodia, and Pinang in Indonesia.

 Density
Melunak wood is classified as Light Hardwood, with an air-dry density ranging from 530 to 755 kg/m³.

 Natural Durability
Based on the standard graveyard test conducted at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the untreated melunak wood showed an average service life of 2.1 years, categorizing it as moderately durable under exposed conditions. When treated with creosote (average absorption of 90 kg/m³) using the open tank method, melunak wood’s durability was significantly enhanced, with the test specimens lasting 14.2 years.

 Preservative Treatment
Melunak wood is challenging to treat with preservatives, making it a less viable option for certain applications without additional treatments.

 Texture
The texture of melunak is moderately fine and even, featuring a shallow to deeply interlocked grain, which can impact its finishing quality.

 Strength Properties
Melunak falls under Strength Group C (SG 5) based on MS 544: Part 2:2001. Below are its strength properties:

- *Condition:* Green / Air Dry
- *Moisture Content:* 63% / 16.1%
- *Modulus of Rupture:* 69 MPa / 85 MPa
- *Modulus of Elasticity:* 10,600 MPa / 12,000 MPa
- *Impact Bending:* 790 mm / 710 mm
- *Compression Parallel to Grain:* 35.4 MPa / 43.6 MPa
- *Side Hardness:* 4,050 N / 4,090 N
- *Shear Parallel to Grain:* 7.7 MPa / 10.8 MPa

 Machining Properties
Melunak wood is slightly difficult to resaw and cross-cut. It is generally easy to plane, producing a smooth finish, although green material may exhibit some grain pick-up in the radial direction.

- *Green Wood:*
  - Resawing: Slightly difficult
  - Cross-cutting: Easy
  - Planing: Tangential smooth; radial rough due to grain pick-up
  - Boring and Turning: Not tested in green condition

- *Air-Dried Wood:*
  - Resawing: Difficult
  - Cross-cutting: Slightly difficult
  - Planing: Slightly difficult, but with a smooth finish
  - Boring: Easy and smooth
  - Turning: Easy with a moderately smooth finish

 Nailing Property
Melunak wood has good nailing properties, making it suitable for construction uses where nailing is required.

 Air Drying
Melunak seasons fairly slowly, with some potential for defects such as slight bowing, twisting, end-checking, and staining.

- *13 mm thick boards:* 3.5 months to air dry
- *38 mm thick boards:* 5 months to air dry

 Shrinkage
Melunak exhibits moderate shrinkage rates:
- *Radial Shrinkage:* 1.4%
- *Tangential Shrinkage:* 2.5%

 Defects
Melunak logs are generally free from defects, though minor issues such as end-splitting and checking can occur during storage. The wood is classified as rarely susceptible to powder-post beetle attacks, and no sap-stain infection has been recorded.

 Uses
Melunak wood is versatile and is suitable for various applications, including:
- Interior finishing
- Decorative works and panelling
- Mouldings and superior joinery
- Cabinet making and furniture
- Flooring and ornamental items
- Joists, railway sleepers, and plywood
- Staircase components (e.g., apron lining, carriages, riser, stringer, tread, bullnose, round end, and winder)
- Pallets (expendable and permanent light-duty types)
- Light construction work

In Burma, similar wood sold under the name "Burma Mahogany" or "Thitka" is highly regarded for high-class furniture.

Melunak wood’s strength, appearance, and durability make it a valuable choice for a wide range of woodworking and construction applications.