Glue-coated plywood, also known as formwork plywood, is increasingly used and serves as an alternative to film-faced plywood to optimize construction material costs. The plywood core is bonded with glue, and the entire surface of the plywood is coated with a layer of glue. This glue layer enhances the plywood’s strength, rigidity, water resistance, moisture resistance, mold resistance, termite resistance, and impact resistance.
To better understand this material, let’s explore its features with Phuc Khanh through the following content.
Definition of Glue-coated Plywood Glue-coated plywood, often referred to as phenolic plywood or film-faced plywood, is a type of plywood that has been coated with a layer of glue on its surface. This layer typically consists of a phenolic resin film that enhances the plywood’s water resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
Structure of Glue-coated Plywood Glue-coated plywood is composed of three main components:
- Core Wood: Thin layers of wood veneers are stacked and bonded together. Each layer is about 1.7mm thick, creating a core thickness ranging from 12mm to 18mm.
- Surface Film: The surface is covered with a phenolic resin film, which provides excellent water resistance and scratch resistance.
- Glue: The layers are bonded with either Melamine Urea Formaldehyde (MUF) or Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) glue, known for their high adhesive strength and water resistance.
Classification of Glue-coated Plywood Glue-coated plywood can be classified based on the type of glue used and the surface finish:
- Phenolic Film-coated Plywood (PF): Known for its high resistance to boiling water and durability, often used in construction and exterior applications.
- Melamine Film-coated Plywood (MUF): Offers good water resistance and is often used in both interior and exterior applications.
- Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) Plywood: Made from wood powder, plastic, and additives, known for its excellent water resistance, termite resistance, and fire retardancy.
Applications of Glue-coated Plywood
- Construction: Used for concrete formwork due to its high durability, water resistance, and ease of cleaning. The smooth phenolic film surface ensures easy release and multiple reuses.
- Interior and Exterior Furniture: Used for making kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, tables, chairs, and other furniture items due to its aesthetic appeal and durability.
- Exterior Cladding and Fencing: Ideal for outdoor use such as wall cladding, fences, and outdoor furniture due to its weather resistance.
- Flooring: Suitable for outdoor flooring applications like pool decking, park flooring, and garden pathways due to its durability and resistance to moisture.
Advantages of Glue-coated Plywood
- Cost-effective: Generally cheaper than other formwork materials like steel or plastic while providing similar durability and reusability.
- Material Efficiency: Reduces material wastage in construction by providing a tight, sturdy formwork.
- Aesthetic Quality: The smooth film surface gives concrete a polished finish, reducing the need for additional finishing work.
- Easy Handling: Lightweight and easy to transport, install, and dismantle compared to heavier materials like steel.
- Reusable: Can be reused multiple times if properly maintained, making it an economical choice for construction projects.