Teak PLANT
Grade
PLANT = 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.
Values for the PLANT 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 |
PLANTThis page 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 |
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 PLANT?
Teak PLANT is Teak in the PLANT grade — fast-grown plantation stock (Indonesia, Central/South America, Africa): lower density, wider rings, less extractive content — cheaper but noticeably less durable and softer. Teak PLANT has a tensile strength of 88 MPa (12.8 ksi), stronger than 72% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 1.1% and the elastic modulus is 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi). Teak PLANT has a density of 0.58 g/cm³ (0.021 lb/in³), lighter than 66% of natural material grades.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 68/100, better than 77% of natural material grades
Teak PLANT properties
Typical room-temperature values for Teak PLANT; 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 PLANT has a density of 0.58 g/cm³ (0.021 lb/in³), lighter than 66% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
Teak PLANT has a tensile strength of 88 MPa (12.8 ksi), stronger than 72% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 1.1% and the elastic modulus is 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi).
Thermal5
Teak PLANT is rated for continuous service to 90°C (194 °F). It conducts heat at 0.15 W/m·K (0.0838 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 51% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
Teak PLANT 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 good (68/100), better than 77% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Teak PLANT 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 PLANT's machinability is very good (70/100, worse than 67% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Teak PLANT
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 PLANT — frequently asked
What is Teak PLANT used for?
Teak PLANT 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 PLANT?
Teak PLANT has a typical tensile strength of 88 MPa (12.8 ksi) — stronger than 72% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Teak PLANT easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, worse than 67% 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 PLANT be welded?
Not weldable; join by mechanical fastening (pre-drill; stainless or bronze fasteners) or structural adhesive.
What surface finishes work on Teak PLANT?
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 PLANT 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 PLANT?
Teak PLANT 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.