Products : Kempas Timber

Description

INTRODUCTION

Kempas wood is a Medium Hardwood of Koompassia malaccensis (Leguminosae). The sapwood is white or pale yellow and is sharply defined from the heartwood, which is pinkish when fresh and darkens to bright orange-red or deep brown.

Also known as Kempas (Brunei); Hampas, Impas, Kempas, Keranji, Mengeris, Mengris, Pah and Upil (Indonesia); Koompassia (Papua New Guinea); and Makupa, Sifai and Tong-bueng (Thailand).

USES

The timber when treated with preservatives is suitable for all heavy constructional works, posts, beams, joists, rafters, piling, columns (heavy duty), fender supports, door and window frames and sills, tool handles, bridges, wharves, marine construction, railway sleepers, telegraphic and power transmission posts and cross arms. When untreated, the timber is suitable for structures under cover, flooring, paneling, mouldings, vehicle bodies, plywood and charcoal manufacture. 

SHRINKAGE

Shrinkage is on the high side with radial shrinkage averaging 2% and tangential shrinkage averaging 3%.

STRENGTH PROPERTIES

The timber falls into Strength Group A (Engku, 1988b) or SG 2 (MS 544:Part 2:2001).  

Strength Properties of Kempas