Rubberwood is considered a hardwood and is part of the maple family. It is very durable and rarely warps or cracks. It is hard to scratch with everyday things such as kitchen utensils, fingernails, or pens and pencils.
Look and FeelRubberwood is a light-colored wood with a slight grainy look to it. It is similar to that of oak, though its grain is not as as defined or heavy as that in oak. If you run your hand over a piece of rubberwood (unfinished) furniture, it would feel smooth, and the chances of getting stuck with a sliver would be almost impossible, but you would feel the grainy texture in the wood.
FinishingRubberwood stains very well. Because it has a natural light undertone, it holds true to the stain color that is used on it. Whereas pine, which has a very yellow undertone, and alder, which is very red, often change the stain coloring, rubberwood is similar to that of maple and the undertones of the wood are subtle. Rubberwood also paints well because of its smooth texture.
Types of FurnitureAll types of furniture are made from rubberwood. However, it is most commonly used for building kitchen furniture because of its strength. You can also find tables, bedroom furniture and office furniture in rubberwood.
SignificanceRubberwood shrinks little when dried in a kiln, its dense grain helping to preserve its shape and strength, features that make it highly desirable for making furniture.
ConsiderationsRubberwood comes from 26- to 30-year-old trees that have ceased to produce marketable latex. These trees have more than one potential use during the course of their life cycles.
PotentialMature rubber trees average 75 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. The large amount of timber from each tree can be used in making not only furniture, but also in home construction and flooring.
Benefits
1. An added plus is rubberwood's high degree of resistance to insects, fungus and mold. It also has compatibility with most industrial adhesives.
2. The rubber wood latex can be use to make an organic mattresses. This is the ONLY Company which makes certify organic mattresses.
3. Many companies use rubber wood to make natural, chemical-free toys.
Density (kg/M3 at 16% MC --------------------- 560-640
Tangential Shrinkage Coefficient (%) ------------- 1.2
Radical Shrinkage Coefficient (%) ---------------- 0.8
Hardness (N) ------------------------------------ 4,350
Static Bending, N/mm at 12% MC --------------- 66
Modulus of elasticity,n/mm at 12%MC ----------- 9,700
Source : FRIM , Malaysia
As can be seen, these properties compare well with those of conventional hardwoods . Thus we have the ideal substitute with the major difference that Rubberwood is less expensive, more plentiful and Eco-Friendly.
Kelly Nuttall
eHow Contributing Writer
Most information for this article was taken from www.eHow.com
