Ulin wood / Iron wood, which has the scientific name Eusideroxylon Zwageri , found in rain forest in borneo / kalimantan island.
Ulin wood is a kind of heavy wood with a average dried weight of 900-1100 kg/m3. The janka hardness reaches 1000-1300, 7.620 N and has a bending strength more than 1100 kg/m3 and a pressure strength more than 650 kg/m3. With a strength class level I, ulin wood has the best strength to withstand the load very well, in both direction, either parallel to the wood grain, or perpendicular to the wood grain.
With the level of durability class I, when ulin wood placed in direct contact with moist soil can last 8-5 years, if the wood is not protected against wind and climate but protected from water, it can last 15-20 years. When the wood placed in a place which is protected from wind, weather and water (for example indoors), endurance is unlimited. Ulin wood is resistant to insects and fungi, nor is it eaten by termites.
Because ulin wood very strong in weight bearing, very durable, and resistant to insects and fungi, it is often used as raw material for making outdoor and heavy construction, etc. Visualy, ulin wood often has hair cracks appear easily on the surface, sometimes pinholes are often found. Generally these hair cracks and pin holes can be covered with wood fillers. Structurally, this pin holes do not reduce the strength of the ulin wood itself. Ironwood is a type of wood that is resistant to weather (both heat and rain) so it is often becomes the ideal materials for outdoor flooring / decking, fences, bridge construction, pier construction, etc.
Ironwood has reddish and yellowish color. Because of the appearance of smooth hair cracks, ironwood should not be recommended for finishing solid color paint, because the basic color is not too dark, iron wood suitable for both light or dark wood stain colors.
Ulin Wood Grain
Ulin Wood Finishing Options
Ulin wood can be finished by using a water-based finishing system, or solvent-based finishing system as follows.
1. Acrylic Water-based Finishing (transparent and solid color water-based)
Water-based finishing is an environmentally friendly, odorless, non-toxic paint that is easily applied with a spray or brush evenly, also easy to repaint. Because of its excellent resistance to ultraviolet light, this finishing is suitable for use in interiors and exteriors. Besides being weather resistant, this finishing is also resistant to mold and insects. Acrylic water-based finishing has good adhesion to the surface of the wood, seeps into the wood pores and is quite elastic, so that the wood will not easily peeled off. The last / top coat of finishing can be selected with the choice of doff / matt or gloss appearance.
There are two types of color in this acrylic water-based finishing system: transparent colors and solid colors. In case of ulin wood, we recommend using transparent wood stain (light or dark color). Meanwhile, if you choose not to use any color / type of wood stain , then the final appearance of the ulin wood color will look like the natural color of the ulin wood, just apply the final layer: clear doff / matt or clear gloss only then.
1.1. Transparent Wood Stain (visible wood grain )
1.2. Solid Color Wood Stain (invisible wood grain)
Ulin wood has brittle properties, so when adjusting to the environment it often appears smooth hair cracks on its surface. When a solid color paint finishing system applied, during the adjustment period, soon later, it will appear smooth hair cracks. It is advisable not to use solid color.
2. Melamine Solvent-based Finishing (transparent color solvent-based)
Melamine finishing is a two-component wood finishing system with low formaldehyde content so it is relatively odorless and less poignant in the eyes. This paint has a low level of yellowing tendency, and a good level of scratch resistance, has a matt or glossy look, hard and thick coating, and resistant to water and household chemicals. This finishing system still has good transparency so that it can show the authenticity of the wood grain. The last coat / top of finishing can be selected with the choice of doff / matt or gloss appearance.
Melamine finishing has very high transparency properties. Below is a choice of wood stain that can be applied to ulin wood, either light or dark colors are available. Meanwhile, if you choose not use any wood stain color then the color of the ulin wood will look like the natural color of the ulin wood, just apply the final layer : clear doff / matt or clear gloss only then.
2.1. Choice of Transparent Color Wood Stain (visible wood grain )
3. Paint Finishing (solid color solvent-based)
Paint is a nitrocellulose-based auto refinish lacquer paint that is dry, fast, has high glossy visual and is available in a variety of durable color choices. This paint finishing system also has excellent adhesion and durability to be applied to wood. Beside applied to wood, this paint is also known as a painting system on vehicles, machinery, iron and steel. The final coat of paint finishing can be applied with a matte / doff or gloss top coat finished.
Ulin wood when adjusting to the environment it often appears smooth hair cracks on its surface. When a solid color paint finishing system applied, during the adjustment period, soon or later, it will appear smooth hair cracks. It is advisable not to use this finishing system.
