Teak — Identification, Uses and Properties
Tectona grandis L. f. Lamiaceae (Verbenaceae)
Sawn timber appearance grading Grading depending on origin of woods and final uses. Grading rules for Teak from Myanmar depend on quality and geometric criteria for logs, sawn products and veneers. Four grades of log are defined for sliced veneers and six grades for sawn products (from SG1 to SG6 according to the number of defects). Visual structure grading According to European standard EN 1912 (2012) and associated national standards (see explanatory note), strength class D40 can be provided by visual grading. Strength class D30 can also be provided by visual grading according to French standard NF B 52-001-1 (2011).
Texture: Coarse. Grain: Straight. The wood darkens and presents golden glints with age. Sometimes black brown veins. Oily to the touch.
HARDWOOD AFRICA, LATIN AMERICA, ASIA, OCEANIA ARCHED GOODS
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Tectona grandis L. f.
Family
Lamiaceae (Verbenaceae)
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Java teak, Teak (Germany), Teca (Brazil), Teca (Costa Rica), Teca (Spain), Teck (France), Sagwan, Teak, Tega, Tekka, (India), Indonesia (Thekku, Tekku maram), Country (Jati, Tek), Italy (Local name), Laos (Teck), Myanmar (May sak), Panama (Kyun), Netherlands (Teca), United Kingdom (Teak), Thailand (Teak), Viet Nam (May sak, Teak)
Origin Region
Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania
Main End Uses
Arched goods · Turned goods · Framing · Ship building (planking and deck) · Cabinetry (high-end furniture) · Open boats · Stairs (inside) · Panelling · Exterior joinery · Interior joinery · Flooring · Stakes · Sliced veneer · Decking · Bridges (parts in contact with water or · Bridges (parts not in contact with water · Poles · Exterior panelling · Cooperage · Rolling shutters
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Yellow brown
Texture
Coarse
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Absent
Notes
The wood darkens and presents golden glints with age. Sometimes black brown veins. Oily to the touch.
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Log Description
Tree height
100 – 130 ft
Tree height
30 – 40 m
Diameter
25 to 100 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
2 to 6 cm cm
Buoyancy
Does not float
Log Conservation
Good
Diameter
9.8 to 39.4 in in
Sapwood Thickness
0.8 to 2.4 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.67 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
41.8 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
4.2
Janka Hardness
1,260 lbf
Janka Hardness
5,605 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.34 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
4.7 %
Radial Shrinkage
2.6 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.8
Fibre Saturation Point
24 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.22 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.127 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
19,270 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
8,285 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
56 MPa
Crushing Strength
8,122 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
98 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
14,214 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
13,740 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,992,819 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 1 - very durableDry Wood Borers
Class D - durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited to sapwood)Termites
Class M - moderately durableTreatability
Class 4 – non-treatable Cross sections of Tectona grandisUse Class
Class 4 - in ground or fresh water contactPreservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentNotes
The durability of Teak wood from plantation is much lower than that of Teak from natural forest. It is moderately resistant to fungi and classified as sensible to durable against termites. This species is listed in the standard NF EN 350 which makes a difference between Teak from Asia (meaning natural forest) and Teak planted in Asia and other countries; the first one is classified in the natural durability class 1 towards fungi and in natural durability class M towards termites; the second is in the natural durability class 1-3 towards fungi and in natural durability class M-S towards termites. The use class mentioned corresponds to Teak from natural forest. According to the European standard NF EN 335 of May 2013, performance length might be modified by conditions in which it is used. This species naturally covers the use class 5 (wood permanently or regularly submerged in salt water, sea water or brackish water) due to its high silica content.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Slow
Risk Distortion
No risk or very slight risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
No risk or very slight risk
Risk Collapse
No known specific risk
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #5 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
High
Machining Tools
Tungsten carbide
Suitability Peeling
Not recommended or without interest
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Silica content is variable. Sawdust is an irritant.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good but pre-boring necessary
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3 (moderately flammable) Thickness < 14 mm: M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4 (readily flammable) Euroclass grading. D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
Euroclass
D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
No trade restrictions
Trade Notes
Native to South-East Asia, this species has been widely
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