The timber is a Medium Hardwood with a density of 495-1,010 kg/m3 air dry, Kelat has been classified as a moderately durable timber with an average service life of 3.3 years under natural Malaysian conditions
Other name: Syzygium cuminii
The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber ofSyzygium spp. (Myrtaceae). Vernacular names applied include jambu (Sarawak), kelat(Peninsular Malaysia) with various epithets, keriang (Peninsular Malaysia), obah(Sarawak) with various epithets and ubah (Sarawak). The latest taxonomic revision of the genus has produced 200 species. The sapwood is not sharply differentiated from the heartwood, which is light brown, pink–brown, red-brown or purple-brown with a grey tinge.
Also known as Asi (Samoa Islands); Batadomba and Madan(Sri Lanka); Binolan, Makassim, Mariig and Mekasim(Philippines); Daeng, Dang Khao, Mao and Wa (Thailand); Duhat, Jambu laut, Ki tembaga and Salam(Indonesia); Jaman (India); Olala (Fiji); Plong and Tram(Vietnam); Plong and Tram(Cambodia);Thabye and Thabye-gui (Myanmar); Ubah (Brunei); Va kaew (Laos); Water gum (Papua New Guinea).
AIR DRYING
The timber seasons very slowly with end-checking and insect attacks as the main defects. 13 mm thick boards take 5 months to air dry, while 38 mm thick boards take 10 months.
KILN-DRYING
Kiln Schedule C is recommended.
Kiln Schedule C
|
Moisture Content (%) |
Temperature (Dry Bulb) |
Temperature (Wet Bulb) |
Relative Humidity (%) (approx.) |
||
|
° F |
° C |
° F |
° C |
||
|
Green |
105 |
40.5 |
101 |
38.0 |
85 |
|
60 |
105 |
40.5 |
99 |
37.0 |
80 |
|
40 |
110 |
43.5 |
102 |
39.0 |
75 |
|
35 |
110 |
43.5 |
100 |
38.0 |
70 |
|
30 |
115 |
46.0 |
103 |
39.5 |
65 |
|
25 |
125 |
51.5 |
109 |
43.0 |
60 |
|
20 |
140 |
60.0 |
118 |
47.5 |
50 |
|
15 |
150 |
65.5 |
121 |
49.0 |
40 |
SHRINKAGE
Shrinkage is high, with radial shrinkage averaging 1.9% and tangential shrinkage averaging 3.3%.
