Abstract

Selected mechanical properties such as static bending (modulus of rupture, MORmodulus of elasticity, MOE), tensile strength (ultimate tensile stress, UTS) and compressive strength (parallel to grain) were determined for ten South Indian rattan species (Calamus nagbettai, C. thwaitesii, C. gamblei, C. hookerianus, C. karnatakensis, C. lacciferus, C. pseudotenuis, C. metzianus, C. rotang, C. travancoricus) representing large, medium and small diameter categories. Based on the mean strength values, these species may be classified as strong to very strong (Class I, MOR and UTS 70 N/mm2), moderately strong (Class II, MOR and UTS 45-70 N/mm2) and weak (Class III, MOR and UTS 45 N/mm2) rattans. The two strongest rattans, viz. C. nagbettai and C. gamblei were categorized as Class I while the weakest rattans, C. lacciferus and C. metzianus (which are commercially less important species) were categorized as Class III. The majority of the species were placed in Class II. Generally, the