HOME>What's Rattan>Raw Materials/Process/Weaving
Among small rattan poles with skins with 5mm to 15mm diameter, Sega, in particular, is a glossy material coated with translucent dental enamel. It is a top quality material in Japan.
Peels are ribbons made from the skins of small rattan poles splitting into a certain width/thickness. They are usually used for wrapping and weaving.
The core, small rattan pole with peeled skin, will be ground into strings. It is also flattened or sliced into semicircle shape.
Tohichi is rattan with over 15mm diameter and mostly used for frames of furniture. Tohichi, with ca 30mm diameter in particular, is a high-demand material for its significant workability and quality finish due to the sheer skin and thick fiber layer.
Palasan is mostly produced in Philippines with a sheer fiber layer and vessels that almost reach to the skin. High workability but very light, so thicker materials are mostly used.
Rattan materials can be bent by hand but heating by burner or steam will make sharp and clear curving. Rattan material can be curved up to 3 times of the rattan diameter but, if it goes further, would be damaged on the shape or fibers. Rattan, not like curved pipe, is always going to restore its original shape. Easy to curve is easy to deform. Though it would not restore the original shape completely, Rattan would never keep the curving, which means, it must be stiffened or need some support so as not to be deformed.
Only 1/4 weight of the same gravity is required for curving.
4 times of load capacity compared to woods.
Peel or small rattan pole with skin is usually used for weaving. These two materials are quite different in weaving methods and finish.
Usually woven lineally back and forth in a certain frame to make a perfect tension.
Weaving ribbon-shaped rattan pole with skin will add a steric finish.
