Merbau

Ipil, kwila- Intsia spp

(Left-Oil based / Right-Water based finish)
Appearance: Color: Heartwood is yellowish to orange-brown when freshly cut, turning brown to dark red-brown upon exposure.
Grain: Straight to interlocked or wavy; coarse texture
Availability: Limited
Properties:
Hardness: 1925, Janka Table, 49% harder than Northern red oak .
Durability: Excellent
Workability:
Sawing: Moderately difficult to work due to high density, carbide tooling recommended
Nailing: Good
Sanding: Satisfactorily
Finishing: Wood stains black in contact with ferrous metals or moisture.