Types n applications

What is plywood??
 Plywood is a type of
manufactured wood made
from thin sheets of wood.
The layers are glued
together so that adjacent
plies have their wood grain
at right angles to each other
for greater strength. There
are usually an odd number
of plies, as symmetry makes
the board less prone to
warping.
How is it manufactured??
Plywood is one of the most widely used wood products. It
is flammable, flexible, cheap, workable, recyclable, and
can usually be locally manufactured. Plywood is made
from thin layers of wood that are peeled from trees. These
layers (or the veneer) are then glued together to make
plywood. The grain of plywood not only runs in one
direction, but each layer runs in the opposite direction,
this is one of the reasons why you can only buy plywood
with odd layers, it's so that it looks like a natural piece of
wood. Because of the way plywood is bonded (with grains
running against one another and with an odd number of
composite parts) it is very hard to bend it the opposite
way to the grain line. A common reason for using plywood
instead of plain wood is its resistance to cracking,
shrinkage, twisting/warping, and its general high degree
of strength.
Types of plywood…
A number of varieties of plywood exist for different applications.

Tropical plywood
 Tropical plywood is always made mixed species of tropical
wood in the Asian region. Tropical plywood boasts its superiority
over softwood plywood due to its density, strength, evenness of
layers, and high quality. It is usually sold at a premium in many
markets if manufactured with high standards. Tropical plywood
is widely used in UK, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Dubai, and other
major cities worldwide. It is the most preferred choice for
construction purposes in many regions.
Softwood plywood
 Softwood plywood is usually made either of Douglas fir or
spruce, pine, and fir (collectively known as spruce-pine-fir or
SPF), and is typically used for construction and industrial
purposes.
The other types of plywood…
Hardwood plywood
 Used for some demanding end uses. Birch plywood is characterized by its excellent strength,
stiffness and resistance to creep. It has a high planar shear strength and impact resistance,
which make it especially suitable for heavy-duty floor and wall structures. Oriented plywood
construction has a high wheel-carrying capacity. Birch plywood has excellent surface hardness,
and damage- and wear-resistance.
Decorative plywood
 Usually faced with hardwood, including red oak, birch, maple, lauan(Philippine mahogany) and
a large number of other hardwoods.
 Plywood for indoor use generally uses the less expensive urea-formaldehyde glue which has
limited water resistance, while outdoor and marine-grade plywood are designed to withstand
rot, and use a water resistant phenol-formaldehyde glue to prevent delamination and to retain
strength in high humidity.
 The most common varieties of softwood plywood come in three, five or seven plies with a
metric dimension of 1.2 m × 2.4 m or the slightly larger imperial dimension of 4 feet × 8 feet.
Plies vary in thickness from 1/10" through 1/6" depending on the panel thickness. Roofing can
use the thinner 5/8-inch plywood. Subfloors are at least 3/4-inch thick, the thickness depending
on the distance between floor joists. Plywood for flooring applications is often tongue and
grooved. The mating edge will have a "groove" notched into it to fit with the adjacent "tongue"
that protrudes from the next board. This prevents one board from moving up or down relative to
its neighbor, so providing a solid feeling floor when the joints do not lie over joists. Tongue &
groove flooring plywood is typically 1" in thickness.
 Special purpose plywood…
 High-strength plywood, known as aircraft plywood, is made from mahogany and/or birch, and uses
adhesives with increased resistance to heat and humidity. It was used for several World War II fighter
aircraft, including the British-built Mosquito bomber which was nicknamed the wooden wonder.
 Certain plywoods do not have alternating plies. These are designed for a specific purpose. One such
plywood is known as "Bendy Board". This is very flexible and is designed for making curved parts. In the UK
this is known as "Hatters Ply" as it was used to make gents stovepipe hats in Victorian times. However
these may not be termed plywood in some countries because the basic description of plywood is layers of
veneered wood laid on top of each other with the grain of each layer perpendicular to the grain of the next.
 Marine plywood is NOT specially treated to resist rotting in a high-moisture environment. Its construction is
such that it can be used in environments where exposed to moisture for long periods. Each wood veneer
will have negligible core gap, limiting the chance of trapping water in the plywood and hence providing a
solid and stable glue bond. It uses an exterior WBP glue similar to most exterior plywoods. Marine plywood
is frequently used in the construction of docks and boats. It is much more expensive than standard plywood:
the cost for a typical 4-foot by 8-foot 1/2-inch thick board is roughly $75 to $100 US or around $2.5 per
square foot, which is about three times as expensive as standard plywood.
 Marine plywood can be graded as being compliant with BS 1088, which is a British Standard for marine
plywood. There are few international standards for grading marine plywood and most of the standards are
voluntary. Some marine plywood has a Lloyd's of London stamp that certifies it to be BS 1088 compliant.
Some plywood is also labeled based on the wood used to manufacture it. Examples of this are Okoume
 Other types of plywoods include fire-retardant, moisture-resistant, sign-grade, pressure-treated, and of
course the hardwood and softwood plywoods. Each of these products is designed to fill a need in industry.
 Sizes “n” production…
Sizes
 US: 4 ft by 8 ft
Metric: 1220mm by 2440mm [3]
Production
 Plywood production requires a good log, called a peeler, which is generally straighter and larger in diameter
than one required for processing into dimensioned lumber by a sawmill. The log is laid horizontally and
rotated about its long axis while a long blade is pressed into it (rather like turning a Swiss Roll against the
edge of a ruler), causing a thin layer of wood to peel off. In this way the log is peeled into sheets of veneer
which are then cut to the desired dimensions, dried, patched, glued together and then baked in a press at
140 °C (280 °F) and 19 MPa (2800 psi) to form the plywood panel. The panel can then be patched, resized,
sanded or otherwise refinished, depending on the market for which it is intended.
 The adhesives used in plywood have become a point of concern. Both urea formaldehyde and phenol
formaldehyde are carcinogenic in very high concentrations. As a result, many manufacturers are turning to
low formaldehyde-emitting glue systems, denoted by an "E" rating ("E0" possessing the lowest
formaldehyde emissions). Plywood produced to "E0" has effectively zero formaldehyde emissions.
 In addition to the glues being brought to the forefront, the wood resources themselves are becoming the
focus of manufacturers, due in part to energy conservation, as well as concern for our natural resources.
There are several certifications available to manufacturers who participate in these programs. Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Sustainable Forestry
Initiative (SFI), and Greenguard are all certification programs that ensure that production and construction
practices are sustainable. Many of these programs offer tax benefits to both the manufacturer and the end
user.
US plywood grades…
 Plywood grades are determined by a veneer quality on the face and back of each panel. The
first letter designates quality of face veneer (best side), while the second letter denotes the
surface quality of the back of the panel. The letter "X" indicates the panel was manufactured
with scrap wood as the center plies, not "exterior" as is commonly thought. The A-D rating is
only good for construction (softwood) plywood, not for hardwood plywoods such as oak or
maple.
 "A": Highest grade quality available. Can be defect free or contain small knots, providing they
are replaced with wooden plugs (the fillers having a "boat" or an "American football" shape) or
repaired with synthetic patch. This grade may contain occasional surface splits that are
repaired with synthetic filler. The surface is always sanded and provides for smooth paintable
face quality.
 "B": Second highest quality veneer grade. Normally a by-product of downgraded "A" quality
veneer. Solid surface, but may contain small diameter knots and narrow surface splits.
Normally repaired with wooden plugs or synthetic filler. The surface is normally sanded
smooth.
 "C": Considered to be a lower end face quality, but a reasonable choice for general
construction purposes. May contain tight knots up to 1½ inches diameter, some open knot
holes, some face splits, and discoloration. Some manufactures may repair the defects with
synthetic filler. Panels are typically not sanded.
 "D": Considered to be the lowest quality veneer and often used for the back surface for
construction grade panels. Allows for several knots, large and small, as well as open knots up
to 2½ inches diameter. Open knots, splits, and discoloration are acceptable. "D" grade
veneers are neither repaired nor sanded. This grade is not recommended for permanent
exposure to weather elements.
Applications…
 Plywood is used in many applications that need high-quality, high-
strength sheet material. Quality in this context means resistance to
cracking, breaking, shrinkage, twisting and warping.
 Exterior glued plywood is suitable for outdoor use, but because
moisture affects the strength of wood, optimal performance is achieved
in end uses where the wood's moisture content remains relatively low.
On the other hand, subzero conditions don't affect plywood's
dimensional or strength properties, which makes some special
applications possible.
 Plywood is also used as an engineering material for stressed-skin
applications. It has been used for marine and aviation applications
since WWII. Most notable is the British De Havilland Mosquito bomber,
which was primarily made out of wood. Plywood is currently
successfully used in stressed-skin applications. The American
designers Charles and Ray Eames are famous for their plywood-based
furniture, while Phil Bolger is famous for designing a wide range of
boats built primarily of plywood.
Softwood plywood applications
 Typical end uses of spruce plywood are:
 Floors, walls and roofs in house constructions
 Wind bracing panels
 Vehicle internal body work
 Packages and boxes
 Hoarding
 Fencing
There are coating solutions available that mask the prominent grain structure of
spruce plywood. For these coated plywoods there are some end uses where
reasonable strength is needed but the lightness of spruce is a benefit e.g.:
 Concrete shuttering panels
 Ready-to-paint surfaces for constructions
Tropical plywood applications
 Common plywood
 Concrete panel
 Floor base
 Structure panel
 Container flooring
 Lamin board
 Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
Birch plywood applications
 Coated special birch plywood is typically used as a ready-to-install
component e.g.:
 Panels in concrete formwork systems
 Floors, walls and roofs in transport vehicles
 Container floors,
 Floors subjected to heavy wear in various buildings and factories,
 Scaffolding materials
 Birch plywood is used as a structural material in special applications
e.g.:
 Wind turbine blades
 Insulation boxes for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers
 Smooth surface and accurate thickness combined with the durability of
the material makes birch plywood a favorable material for many special
end uses e.g.:
 Die-cutting boards
 Supporting structure for parquet
 Playground equipment
 Furniture
 Signs and fences for demanding outdoor advertising
 Musical instruments
 Sports equipment
 Plywood is a sheet good and is one of the most commonly used materials in
woodworking and construction. Plywood comes in many grades and
configurations. It's uses range from sub flooring and roof sheathing in it's
cruder grades, right up to the very finest cabinets and furniture where
numbered and matched sheets are often used. These sheets are kept in the
order the veneer was cut from the tree, permitting the use of matched panels.
 Plywood is available with other core materials. Some plywoods have a
softwood lumber for the core, and is known as lumbercore plywood. It is a
high quality product and is used mainly in cabinets and furniture. It too is a
stable product, and has some advantages over veneer core, particulary in
regards to holding power of the fasteners.
 Plywood is graded by the quality of the face material and uses letters as the
identifier. With "A" being the best and "D" being the worst. Numbers are also
used in conjunction with these letters to help in the ordering process. For
example A-1 referres to the face side, or "show side", being as close to
perfect as possible, while the back of the sheet will have a lesser but still very
good quality back. In a typical order to our wholesaler, we would specify 1 -
sheet, 3/4" A-1, V.C. Maple. This translates into one sheet of 3/4" Maple
plywood, with one "A" grade face, and a veneer core. Had we specified L. C.,
we would have received lumber core plywood.
 The glues used in making plywood also vary by the intended use. Urea-
formaldehyde glue is often used for interior grade plywood, while phenol-
formaldehyde glue is common for exterior uses, including marine grade.
Since these glues are carcinogenic, more and more manufacturers look to
use "Greener Glues".
 Certain plywoods do not have
alternating plies. These are designed for
a specific purpose. One such plywood is
known as "Bendy Board". This is very
flexible and is designed for making
curved parts. This material is available
in 1/4, 1/2, 5/8 inch sheets. (or those
were the sizes the last time I checked). 
 
 The plywood shown in the photos is
Bendy Board. These cylinders are two
layers of 3/8 inch material, glued up to
give us the desired 3/4 inch thickness.
Using a single layer of 3/4 inch material
would have prevented us from making
the small radius required for the project.
These parts are used on the bar in the
home page photo, prior to the veneer
being added. As you can see, curves
and plywood get along just fie. Keep in
mind when ordering, it is sold in 4 foot
by 8 foot sheets, and depending on the
direction you want it to bend determines
how you specify your order. Either 4 feet
by 8 feet, or 8 feet by 4 feet.
A veneer is a thin covering over another surface
Wood veneer…
 In woodworking, veneer refers to thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3 mm (1/8 inch), that are
typically glued onto core panels (typically, wood, particle board or medium-density fiberboard) to
produce flat panels such as doors, tops and panels for cabinets, parquet floors and parts of
furniture. They are also used in marquetry, Plywood consists of three or more layers of veneer,
each glued with its grain at right angles to adjacent layers for strength. Veneer beading is a thin
layer of decorative edging placed around objects, such as jewelry boxes.
 Veneer is obtained either by "peeling" the trunk of a tree or by slicing large rectangular blocks of
wood known as flitches. The appearance of the grain and figure in wood comes from slicing
through the growth rings of a tree and depends upon the angle at which the wood is sliced. There
are three main types of veneer-making equipment used commercially:
 A rotary lathe in which the wood is turned against a very sharp blade and peeled off in one
continuous or semi-continuous roll. Rotary-cut veneer is mainly used for plywood, as the
appearance is not desirable because the veneer is cut concentric to the growth rings.
 A slicing machine in which the flitch or piece of log is raised and lowered against the blade and
slices of the log are made. This yields veneer which looks like sawn pieces of wood, cut across
the growth rings.
 A half-round lathe in which the log or piece of log can be turned and moved in such a way to
expose the most interesting parts of the grain.
 Each slicing processes gives a very distinctive type of grain, depending upon the tree species. In
any of the veneer slicing methods, when the veneer is sliced, a distortion of the grain occurs. As it
hits the wood, the knife blade creates a "loose" side where the cells have been opened up by the
blade, and a "tight" side.
 Traditionally, veneers were also sawn, but this is more wasteful of wood. Veneering is an ancient
art, dating back to the ancient Egyptians who used veneers on their furniture and sarcophagi.
Producing wood veneers…
 The finest and rarest logs are sent to companies that
produce veneer. The advantage to this practice is two
fold. First, it provides the most financial gain to the owner
of the log. Secondly, and of more importance to the
woodworker, is this practice greatly expands the amount
of usable wood. While a log used for solid lumber is cut
into thick pieces, usually no less than 1 1/8 inches,
veneers are cut as thin as 1/40 of an inch. Depending on
the cutting process used by the veneer manufacture, very
little wood is wasted by the saw blade thickness, known
as the saw kerf. Therefore, the yield of a rare grain
pattern or wood type is greatly increased, which in turn
places less stress on the resource. Some manufacturers
even use a very wide knife to basically "slice off" the thin
veneer pieces. In this way, none of the wood is wasted.
The slices of veneer are always kept in the order in which
they are cut from the tree, and are known as flitches.
Types of veneers…
 There are a few types of veneers available and each serves a purpose.
 A: Raw veneer has no backing on it and can be used with either side
facing up. It is important to note that the two sides will appear different
when a finish has been applied, due to the cell structure of the wood.
 B: Paper Backed veneer is as the name suggests, veneers that are
backed with a paper. The advantage to this is it is available in large
sizes, or sheets, as smaller pieces are joined together prior to adding
the backing. This is helpful for users that do not wish to join smaller
pieces of raw veneers together. This is also helpful when veneering
curves and columns as the veneer is less likely to crack.
 C: Phenolic Backed veneer is less common and is used for composite,
or man made wood veneers. Due to concern for the natural resource,
this is becoming more popular. It too has the advantage of being
available in sheets, and is also less likely to crack when being used on
curves.
 D: Laid Up veneer is raw veneer, which has been joined together to
make larger pieces. The process is time consuming and requires great
care, but is not difficult, and requires no expensive tools or machinery.
Veneers can be ordered through some companies already laid up to
any size, shape or design.
Patterns
 There are a number of "patterns" common to veneered work. This refers to the
way the veneers are laid up.
 A: Book Matched: where the veneers are opened from the flitch much like the
pages of a book.
 B: Slip Matched: where the pieces are joined together in the order they come
from the flitch, and have the same face kept up.
 C: Radial Matched: where the veneer is cut into wedge shaped pieces and
joined together.
 D: Diamond Matched: where the pattern formed is diamond shaped.
Advantages of using veneers
 Furniture made with wood veneer uses somewhat less wood than the same
piece of furniture made with solid wood. Some projects built using wood veneer
would not be possible to construct using solid lumber, due to expansion and
contraction caused by fluctuation of temperature and humidity.
Buying veneers
 Wood veneers are typically sold by the square foot. With the ability to join
veneers, even small pieces are usable, resulting in very little waste. Many
sources sell small packets of veneers which are sequence matched, and are
perfect for small projects. These make experimenting and practicing much more
economical. It is also possible to buy plywood and other substrates with
veneered faces for larger projects consisting of casework.