Technical Wood Properties for Apitong, Keruing Hardwood Truck Trailer Flooring

Technical information about Apitong, Keruing from TrailerDecking.com.

Scientific Name, Other Names

Dipterocarpus spp, Hagokhak, Panau, Dau, Yang, Eng, In, Heng, Keroeing, Kerunwing, Kruen, Kurjun, Klalar, Lagan, Bagac, Gurjun

Description

Keruing or Genuine Apitong is the name given to approximately 70 species of Dipterocarpus throughout Southeast Asia. It is a common specie of wood and has been used for truck trailer components since the 1960's. Apitong is one of the most popular exotic hardwood species that comes out of South East Asia. The name Apitong has its origin as the local Philippine name and encompasses the tree species from the genus Dipterocarpus. Due to Apitong’s unique mechanical and physical properties, it is commonly considered to have one of the best strength to weight ratio of any commercially harvested species. Recognizing the wonderfully unique properties of Apitong, many experienced and globally savvy buyers choose the value and reliability of Apitong and consider it the undisputed species of choice for truck and trailer flooring.

Janka Hardness

1,520 lb

Strength (MOR)

19,900 psi

Stiffness (MOE)

2,070 ×1,000 psi

Density

790 kg/m³

Tangential Shrinkage

10.9%

Radial Shrinkage

5.2%

About

Our Keruing, Genuine Apitong is available in a variety of widths in both shiplap and rough.

Family

Dipterocarp

Tree Characteristics

The Apitong tree can grow to be 141 feet high.

Geographic Area

Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Pakistan, India, Burma, Borneo, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Kampuchea

Color

Keruing, Genuine Apitong Heartwood varies from brown to dark brown or light to dark red-brown, sometimes with a hint of purple; the heartwood is normally well defined from the buffcolored or gray sapwood.

Photosensitivity

Yes, darkens with age.

Luster

Medium

Grain

Uniform straight grain, slightly interlocking

Texture

Moderately coarse

Drying Characteristics

Difficult to dry without minor amounts of checking. Requires pre-drying.

Working Characteristics

There is a silica and resin in most species of Keruing which require carbide or tungsten tools for best results

Durability Rating

Medium durability. Not resistant to powder post beetles or termites. Above ground exterior exposure is rated as 7 to 15 years.

Applications

Flooring, pallets, chemical processing equipment, veneer and plywood, railroad crossties (if treated), truck floors, boardwalks, framework for boats and general construction work