The timber is a Light Hardwood with a density of 210-500 kg/m3 air dry.
Other name: Pulai (N7)
The Standard Malaysian Name for the timber of Alstonia spp. (Apocynaceae). Vernacular names applied include mergalang (Sarawak), pelai (Sarawak), pulai (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak) with various epithets and sayongan (Sabah). Major species include A. angustifolia, A. angustiloba, A. macrophylla, A. pneumatophora, A. scholaris and A. spatulata. The sapwood is not differentiated from the heartwood, which is cream to light yellow in colour.
Also known as Batino, Cayacayao, Dita and Silhigan (Philippines); Chatian and Shaitan wood (India); Chatian (Pakistan); Kajoe soesoeh (Papua New Guinea); Kayu susu, Pulai, Pulai hitam, Rita (Indonesia); Kra thungfa hai, Sattaban, Teen thian, Thia, Thungfa, Tin Pet (Thailand); Lettok, Sega, Shaitan (Myanmar); Mai Tin Pet (Laos); Mbulei (Fiji); Mbulei (Samoa Islands); Milky Pine and White cheesewood (Australia); Mo cua (Vietnam); Popel khe (Cambodia); Pulai (Brunei); Ruk kattana (Sri Lanka).
KILN-DRYING
Kiln Schedule J is recommended. The timber dries fast but is prone to stain, mould and insect attacks. 25 mm thick boards take approximately 5 days to kiln-dry from 50 to 10% moisture content.
Kiln Schedule J
|
Moisture Content (%) |
Temperature (Dry Bulb) |
Temperature (Wet Bulb) |
Relative Humidity (%) (approx.) |
||
|
° F |
° C |
° F |
° C |
||
|
Green |
135 |
57.0 |
123 |
50.5 |
70 |
|
50 |
135 |
57.0 |
119 |
48.0 |
60 |
|
40 |
140 |
60.0 |
118 |
47.5 |
50 |
|
30 |
150 |
65.5 |
121 |
49.0 |
40 |
|
20 |
170 |
76.5 |
127 |
53.0 |
30 |
SHRINKAGE
Shrinkage is rather high, especially in the radial direction, where it averages 2.3% while tangential shrinkage averages 2.8%.
