Teak OG
Grade
OG = old-growth (Burmese/FEQ) teak, kiln-dried
Slow-grown natural-forest heartwood with the highest extractive/oil content — the benchmark for yacht decking and exterior joinery, at premium price and constrained legal supply.
Values for the OG condition
Other Teak tempers and conditions
Teak is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Teak.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Green / unseasoned | Freshly sawn stock for large timbers or on-site shaping; strength and stiffness are markedly lower and shrinkage on drying must be allowed for. | — | 80 | 1.3 | — | 0.28 W/m·K |
Plantation-grown teak, kiln-dried | Fast-grown plantation stock (Indonesia, Central/South America, Africa): lower density, wider rings, less extractive content — cheaper but noticeably less durable and softer. | — | 88 | 1.1 | — | 0.15 W/m·K |
OGThis page Old-growth (Burmese/FEQ) teak, kiln-dried | Slow-grown natural-forest heartwood with the highest extractive/oil content — the benchmark for yacht decking and exterior joinery, at premium price and constrained legal supply. | — | 110 | 1 | — | 0.17 W/m·K |
What is Teak OG?
Teak OG is Teak in the OG grade — slow-grown natural-forest heartwood with the highest extractive/oil content — the benchmark for yacht decking and exterior joinery, at premium price and constrained legal supply. Teak OG has a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi), stronger than 97% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 13 GPa (1.89 Msi). Teak OG has a density of 0.69 g/cm³ (0.0249 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of natural material grades.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 90/100, better than 98% of natural material grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 77% of natural material grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of natural material grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 0.65 MPa·√m (0.592 ksi·√in), better than 75% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 62/100, worse than 87% of natural material grades
Teak OG properties
Typical room-temperature values for Teak OG; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Teak reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
Teak OG has a density of 0.69 g/cm³ (0.0249 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
Teak OG has a tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi), stronger than 97% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 13 GPa (1.89 Msi).
Thermal5
Teak OG is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.17 W/m·K (0.0982 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 76% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Teak OG is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 2.5 kV/mm (63.5 V/mil) and a resistivity of 3×10⁹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 98% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Teak OG takes about 12 MJ of energy and emits 0.65 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
Teak OG's machinability is good (62/100, worse than 87% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Teak OG
Is Teak easy to machine?
Cuts and turns cleanly with moderate power, but silica content dulls edges fast — use carbide tooling and good dust extraction (dust is a sensitiser).
Can Teak be welded?
Not weldable; join by mechanical fastening (pre-drill; stainless or bronze fasteners) or structural adhesive.
Can Teak be formed, bent or molded?
Fair steam-bending at best; usually laminated or CNC-shaped rather than bent, with 12 % MC stock for stable dimensions.
What surface finishes work on Teak?
Wipe with acetone/alcohol immediately before gluing or coating to remove surface oils; epoxies and PU adhesives work well, and untreated exterior surfaces weather to a stable silver-grey.
Teak chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| cellulosestructural microfibrils | 38 – 46 | 42 |
| hemicellulose | 18 – 26 | 22 |
| lignin | 27 – 33 | 30 |
| extractives (tectoquinone, caoutchouc oisource of natural decay/termite resistance; higher in old-growth heartwood | 3 – 10 | 5 |
| ash incl. silicasilica dulls cutting edges | 0.4 – 1.4 | 0.9 |
Teak OG — frequently asked
What is Teak OG used for?
Teak OG is typically used for boat decking, outdoor furniture, flooring, window/door frames and veneer. In short: highest natural decay resistance; marine-grade exterior hardwood; abrasive silica dulls tooling.
What is the tensile strength of Teak OG?
Teak OG has a typical tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) — stronger than 97% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Teak OG easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, worse than 87% of natural material grades). Cuts and turns cleanly with moderate power, but silica content dulls edges fast — use carbide tooling and good dust extraction (dust is a sensitiser).
Can Teak OG be welded?
Not weldable; join by mechanical fastening (pre-drill; stainless or bronze fasteners) or structural adhesive.
What surface finishes work on Teak OG?
Wipe with acetone/alcohol immediately before gluing or coating to remove surface oils; epoxies and PU adhesives work well, and untreated exterior surfaces weather to a stable silver-grey.
Can Teak OG be formed, bent or molded?
Fair steam-bending at best; usually laminated or CNC-shaped rather than bent, with 12 % MC stock for stable dimensions.
What is the maximum service temperature of Teak OG?
Teak OG is rated for continuous use to about 90°C (194 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-190), tropical species tables — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2021)
- EN 13556 — Nomenclature of timbers used in Europe (code TECT) — CEN (2003)
- EN 350 — Durability of wood and wood-based products — CEN (2016)
- Tropical timber species properties (Tectona grandis) — TRADA / PROTA wood database (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.