Giam

The timber is a Heavy Hardwood with a density of 865-1,220 kg/m3 air dry. The timber has been classified as very durable

The Standard Malaysian Name for the heavy timbers of Hopea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae). Vernacular names applied include giam (Peninsular Malaysia) with various epithets, selangan (Sabah and Sarawak) with various epithets and other localised names too numerous to list here. Major species include H. ferrea, H. helferi, H. nutans, H. pentanervia and H. semicuneata. The sapwood is yellow and is poorly defined from the heartwood, which is yellow with a greenish tinge when fresh and turns deep red-brown on exposure.

Also known as Balau (Indonesia); Heavy hopea (Papua New Guinea); Hin, Mai khaen fay and Mai la en (Laos); Koki:r (Cambodia); Krabok-krang, Lao Tao, Takian Hin, Takian-Nu and Takian-rak (Thailand); Sao xanh (Vietnam); Saplungan and Yakal(Philippines); Thingyan (Myanmar).

AIR DRYING

The timber seasons very slowly, with only slight end-checking, splitting and surface-checking as the main sources of degrade. 13 mm thick boards take approximately 6 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 8 months.

KILN DRYING

Kiln Schedule B is recommended.

Kiln Schedule B

 

Moisture Content (%)

 

Temperature(Dry Bulb)

 

 Temperature(Wet Bulb)

 

Relative Humidity (%) (approx.)

 

° F

 

° C

 

° F

 

° C

Green

105

40.5

101

38.0

85

40

105

40.5

99

37.0

80

30

110

43.5

102

39.0

75

25

115

46.0

105

40.5

70

20

130

54.5

115

46.0

60

15

140

60.0

118

47.5

50

SHRINKAGE

Shrinkage is average to high, with radial shrinkage ranging 1.4-2% and tangential shrinkage ranging 2.6-4.4%.