Purna Chandra Meher

L.A.T.F. Jharsuguda
 PLYWOOD
Plywood is made by cementing together several layers of wood (at least three) which
may be thin veneers or thicker boards.
How ply wood is made?
Plywood consists of the face, core and back. The
face is the surface that is visible after installation
while the core is lies between the face and back.
Thin layer of wood veneers are glued together with
strong adhesive. This is the mainly a phenol or urea
formaldehyde resin. Each area is oriented with grain
perpendicular to the adjacent layer
Plywood generally made in two ways:-
1. By cold pressing:- in cold pressing the adhesive
can set room temperature
2. By hot pressing:-in hot pressing the glued
veneers with requisite number of pile are
pressed in large hydraulic presses. The leaves of
these presses are electrically heated.
the usual ranged of pressure and heat for the
apply for fabrication of plywood veneer is about 7
bar and 150 to 250 degree centigrade respectively.
Which wood is ply made of ?

Plywood is manufactured from softwood, hardwood, or both. The

hardwoods used are ash, maple, oak, and mahogany. Douglas fir is the
most popular softwood for making plywood, although pine, redwood, and
cedar are common. Composite plywood can also be engineered with a core
of solid timber pieces or particleboard, with a wood veneer for the face and
back. Additional materials can be added to the face and back veneers to
improve durability. These include plastic, resin-impregnated paper, fabric,
Formica, or even metal. These are added as a thin outer layer to resist
moisture, abrasion and corrosion.

ASH PLANT OAK PLANT PINE PLANT MAHOGANY PLANT

 PROPERTIES OF PLYWOOD
HIGH STRENGTH:- Plywood has the structural strength of the wood from its laminated design
, the veneer are laid 90 degree angle to each other acts as resistance to splitting. Its also gives
the whole sheet uniform strength for increase stability.
HIGH PANEL SHEAR:- Ply wood is odd number of layers, making it tough to bends.The angle at
which veneer grains are laid against each other may be varied from 90 degree. Each veneer can
be laid at a 45 or 30 degree to next one increase the plywood strength in every direction. This
cross lamination increase the panel shear of plywood important in bracing panel and fabricated
beams.
FLEXIBILITY:- Unlike cut timber, plywood can be manufactured to fit every requirement. The
thickness of each veneer can very from few millimetres to several inches . Thinner veneers are
used to increase the flexibility for use in ceilings and paneling.
MOISTURE RESISTANCE:-The type of adhesive used to bind the veneers makes the plywood
resistant to moisture and humidity. A layer of paint or varnish can also increase resistance to
water damage. These types of veneers are suitable for exterior use such as cladding, sheds, and
in marine construction. They are also suited for holding concrete while it sets. Moisture
resistance is important in interior applications as well, including on floors. The cross lamination
ensures the veneers do not warp, shrink, or expand when exposed to water and extreme
temperature.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE:-Plywood treated with preservative does not corrode when
exposed to chemicals. This makes it suitable for chemical works and cooling towers.
FIRE RESISTANCE:-Plywood can be treated with a fire resistant chemical coating. More
commonly, it is combined with non combustible materials such as plasterboard or fibrous
cement. This makes it ideal for use in fire resistant structures.
IMPACT RESITANCE:-Plywood has high tensile strength, derived from the cross lamination
of panels. This distributes force over a larger area, reducing tensile stress. Plywood is
therefore able to withstand overloading by up to twice its designated load. This is critical
during short-term seismic activity or high winds. It is also useful in flooring and concrete
formwork.
INSULATION:- Plywood has high thermal and sound insulation. This makes it a useful
insulating material for flooring, ceilings, roofing, and wall cladding. Insulation offered by
plywood can greatly reduce heating and cooling costs.
 TYPES OF PLYWOOD AND GRADE

TYPES-
 COMMERCIAL PLYWOOD
 WATERPROOF PLYWOOD
 FLEXO PLYWOOD
 MARINE PLYWOOD
 SOFTWOOD PLYWOOD
 HARDWOOD PLYWOOD
 TROPICAL PLYWOOD
 AIRCRAFT PLYWOOD
 DECORATIVE PLYWOOD

GRADE:-
BWR-Boiling water resistance
BWP-Boiling water proof (this grade mostly used in kitchen)
MR – Moisture resistance.
COMMERCIAL PLYWOOD:- Gurjan, hollock, silver oak wood
are used in commercial plywood.
It is an interior grade of plywood for indoor used.
It has light colour shade.

WATERPROOF PLYWOOD:- Waterproof plywood is mostly used

In MR Grade (Moisture Resistance) it react with both aluminium
and marine plywood. It has black colour shaded. Due to chemical
used in it, it does not affected by termite.

FLEXO PLYWOOD:- It is flexible and making curved parts. The

Grain are not adjacent so it bend, all grains are go in one
Direction.
MARINE PLYWOOD:- It is a form of plywood that has been constructed using waterproof to
make it suitable for used in wet environment including home built boat and other structure
HARDWOOD PLYWOOD:- It is made from angiosperm trees and used for demanding end
used, it has excellent strength and stiffness, surface hardness, damage and wear resistance.
AVAILABLE SIZE AND THICKNESS OF PLYWOOD.

The available sizes are-

• 8FT×4FT
• 7FT ×4FT
• 6FT ×4FT
• 8FT ×3FT
• 7FT ×3FT
• 6FT ×3FT

The available thickness are-

• 4MM
• 6MM
• 8MM
• 10MM
• 12MM
• 15MM
• 18MM
 USES OF PLYWOOD

USE OF PLYWOOD AS A BUILDING MATERIAL

• To make light partition or external walls

• To make formwork, or a mould for wet concrete
• To make furniture, especially cupboards, kitchen cabinets, Modular kitchen, and office
tables
• As part of flooring systems For packaging
• To make light doors and shutters.
• It used as furniture items and in the construction of wooden house, etc.
 BENEFIT OF PLYWOOD

• Easily workable and capble of being shaped to numerous designed.

• High uniform strength –wood is 25 to 45 times stronger along the grain than across the
grain.
• Uniform tensile strength in all direction
• Light in weight and greater strength
• Elastic material, least affected by changes in atmosphere.
• Highly resistance to cracking, spalling and warping as it great stiffness and rigidity in
comparison with solid wood.
• It is reusable.