RAMIN

THE TREE

RAMIN IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT TIMBERS INTRODUCED IN ABOUT 1950. IT WAS OBTAINED FROM SARAWAK, FROM A TREE WITH A SMALL BOLE, RARELY EXCEEDING 60cm, BUT ABUNDANT IN EXTENSIVE TRACTS OF COASTAL SWAMP-FOREST. FIRST SHIPPED AS LOGS, AND DISCOLORING BADLY IN SHIPMENT, IT DIDN'T BECOME SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED UNTIL IT WAS SAWN AND DRIED IN SARAWAK. IT IS NOW OBTAINED FROM INDONESIA, SAWAK AND WESTERN MALAYSIA, AND IS HIGHLY DEMANDED.

THE WOOD

RAMIN IS ALMOST WHITE, MODERATELY FINE AND EVEN IN TEXTURE AND GENERALLY STRAIGHT-GRAINED. ITS UNPLEASANT SMELL WHEN GREEN DISAPPEARS ON DRYING. IT IS OF MEDIUM WEIGHT.


TECHNICAL PROPERTIES

RAMIN DRIES EASILY, BUT HAS A TENDENCY TO SPLIT AND TO DISCOLOR, ESPECIALLY IN THICKER SIZES. A LITTLE LIGHTER THAN BEECH, IT COMPARES WELL WITH IT IN MANY STRENGTH PROPERTIES, THOUGHT IT IS NOT SO TOUGH AND SPLITS MORE READILY. IT WORKS EASILY AND FINISHES WELL. RAMIN IS NOT SUITABLE FOR USE OUT OF DOORS.

USES

RAMIN ATTRACTED INTEREST BECAUSE OF ITS PLAIN APPEARANCE. BEING PALE IN COLOR, IT COULD BE STAINED AND FINISHED TO MATCH MORE DECORATIVE WOODS, AND, HAVING A STRAIGHT GRAIN, IT WAS POPULAR FOR MACHINE PROCESSING. IT WAS USED IN THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE BEECH. RAMIN IS ALSO USED FOR MOULDINGS, DOWELLING, HANDLES AND TOYS, ETC…

 SOFT WOODS: