Color/Appearance: Kempas tends to be an orangish-brown, with an overall mahogany-like appearance.

Grain/Texture: Kempas has a medium to coarse open texture. The grain is interlocked and sometimes wavy. The wood can also have streaks of brittle tissue that can be a source of mechanical weakness.

Rot Resistance: Heartwood is rated as moderately durable to durable regarding decay resistance. Kempas is susceptible to termite attacks.

Workability: Kempas is considered to be a difficult timber to work on account of both its density and its interlocked grain. Also, sections of the wood may contain stone-like streaks of brittle areas, which can have a blunting effect on cutting edges, and make machining difficult. Kempas is slightly acidic and can be corrosive to metals. The wood accepts stains and finishes well.

Odor: No characteristic odor.

Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Kempas. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Pricing/Availability: Kempas should be relatively inexpensive for an imported tropical lumber, though not commonly available, except as flooring planks.

Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is reported by the IUCN as being conservation dependent. Cessation of any current conservation programs would likely result in a vulnerable or endangered Red List status.

Common Uses: Flooring, heavy construction, railroad crossties, plywood, and pallets (throughout its natural range).

Comments: Kempas is not a common timber among woodworkers, and tends to be imported primarily for flooring.

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