Rubberwood-the Eco-friendly Timber
     

What is Rubberwood?         forest.jpg (11859 bytes)

Colour :   The natural colour of Rubberwood is pale cream to yellowish brown

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Rubber plantations have existed for hundreds of years in tropical countries. These plantations have been used mainly for the production of latex. After the economic life of the rubber tree, which is generally 30 years, the latex yields become extremely low and the planters then fell the rubber trees and plant new ones. This eco-friendly Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) is an excellent timber to use and its various attributes are outlined here:

Structure : It is uniform in structure having an excellent "Timber" feel.   

Grain Pattern : The grain structure of Rubberwood is mostly straight. A cross-section of Rubberwood shows few concentric markings reminiscent of growth rings. These markings combined with the large vessels in structure give an attractive appearance with clear patterns on the longitudinal surface. Many characteristics of Rubberwood are similar to Ramin wood.

Strength Properties

Rubberwood is a moderately heavy timber, its weight being comparable to Oak & Teak. Its strength properties are comparable to Light Red Meranti or Teak and are the following :
Rubberwood Vs.Teakwood
                   
   

Specific gravity

Weight    Kg/cu. m*

Tensile stress, parallel to grain, Kg/cm2

Compressive stress, parallel  to grain, Kg/cm2

Compressive stress, perpendicular  to grain, Kg/cm2

Shear strength, parallel to grain, Kg/cm2

 Hardness  
  Teakwood

0.604

676

62

532

101

102.3

504.7

  
  Treated Rubberwood

0.557

 624 59.81 374 101 102.8 680  
* at 12% moisture content