Plywood

Plywood is a composite wood material obtained by bonding thin wood layers (veneer) placed at right angles to each other. Thanks to cross-lamination technique, it provides high strength and dimensional stability.

What is Plywood?

Plywood is produced by pressing an odd number of wood veneer layers with special adhesives so that the fibers are perpendicular to each other. This cross arrangement eliminates the natural weaknesses of wood and provides equal strength in all directions. It usually consists of 3, 5, 7 or more layers.

Plywood Production Process

1. Log Selection: Quality, straight-grained logs are selected
2. Steam Softening: Logs are kept in steam room for 12-48 hours
3. Peeling: Veneers of 1.5-3.5mm thickness are obtained with rotary peeling machine
4. Drying: Veneers are dried to 6-14% moisture content
5. Quality Control: Defective pieces are sorted, patched if necessary
6. Gluing: Phenol formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde glue is applied
7. Laying: Layers are arranged crosswise
8. Pressing: Pressed at 120-150°C temperature and high pressure
9. Cooling and Sizing: Cooled and cut to desired dimensions

Types of Plywood

1. By Usage Area

• Interior Plywood: Urea formaldehyde glue for dry environments
• Exterior Plywood (WBP): Phenol formaldehyde glue, water resistant
• Marine Plywood: Special resin, resistant to seawater and moisture

2. By Wood Type

• Birch Plywood: Most common, light color, smooth surface
• Pine Plywood: Light, economical, prominent grains
• Okoume Plywood: Light, tropical wood, used in boat building
• Beech Plywood: Hard and durable, for heavy loads

3. By Surface Quality

• A/A Grade: Both surfaces flawless
• A/B Grade: One surface flawless, other with minor defects
• B/B Grade: Minor defects on both surfaces
• C/D Grade: For structural use, hidden areas

4. Special Plywood

• Film Faced: Phenol film coated, used in formwork
• Fire Resistant: Treated with special chemicals
• Laminated Plywood: With decorative coating applied
• Flexible Plywood: Bendable, for special applications

Plywood Thicknesses

Standard thicknesses: 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, 24mm, 27mm, 30mm
Can go up to 40mm in special production.

Advantages of Plywood

• High Strength: Strong in all directions thanks to cross layers
• Dimensional Stability: Minimal warping, shrinkage and expansion
• Large Size Capability: Single piece up to 3050x1525mm
• Lightweight: Lighter than solid wood of same thickness
• Screw Holding: Excellent screw and nail holding power
• Flexibility: Bending capability in thin thicknesses
• Surface Quality: Smooth and even surface
• Workability: Easy cutting, drilling, routing

Plywood Application Areas

• Construction Industry: Formwork, roof coverings, subflooring
• Furniture Production: Cabinet bodies, drawer bottoms, shelf systems
• Transportation: Truck bodies, container floors
• Marine: Boat hulls, deck coverings
• Packaging: Heavy load crates, export packaging
• Decoration: Wall and ceiling coverings
• Stage and Decor: Theater stages, exhibition stands

Things to Consider When Choosing Plywood

1. Usage Area: Indoor/outdoor, moisture level
2. Load Capacity: Thickness selection according to load
3. Glue Type: Water resistance requirement
4. Surface Quality: A grade for visible surfaces
5. Emission Class: E0 or E1 low formaldehyde
6. Certification: CE, FSC, CARB certificates
7. Number of Layers: More layers mean higher strength

Plywood Processing Techniques

• Cutting: Use of fine-toothed saw, preventing chipping
• Drilling: Preventing splitting by placing backing on rear surface
• Edge Processing: Edge banding or solid strip application
• Surface Treatment: Varnish, paint or coating application
• Joining: Screws, PVA glue, dowels

Plywood Maintenance

• Cleaning with dry or slightly damp cloth
• Protection from sharp objects
• Avoiding excessive moisture (careful in bathroom, kitchen)
• Surface protector application (varnish, oil)
• Regular inspection and maintenance

Plywood vs Other Materials

Compared to MDF: Plywood is lighter and stronger, MDF has smoother surface

Compared to Particle Board: Plywood is much more durable and water resistant

Compared to Solid Wood: Plywood is more stable and economical, solid is more prestigious

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Modern plywood production is carried out with sustainable forest management principles. FSC and PEFC certified products guarantee responsible resource use. Additionally, plywood minimizes waste by utilizing 85-90% of the tree. The use of low-emission adhesives has reduced its negative impact on indoor air quality.

Conclusion

Plywood is one of the most versatile and reliable materials among engineered wood products. With its high strength, dimensional stability and wide range of applications, it is an indispensable material in the construction and furniture industry. With the right selection and proper use, plywood offers both economical and long-lasting solutions.