plywood (3)

The structural formply is generally sold as a graded product. F17 is the stress grade of plywood. Besides F17, there are also F14, F8, F11, F14, F22, F27 stress grade. The stress grades are also used for bracing plywood and sheathing plywood of AS/NZS 2269 standard.

AS/NZS 2269 is a standard for structural plywood in both Australia and New Zealand. AS 6669 is a standard for formwork plywood in Australia only. Even though the New Zealand standard committee didn’t participate in AS 6669, its market still recognizes this standard.

Bond Types

Type A bond and type B bond is used for F17 formply manufacture. Most products on the market use type A bond with E0 formaldehyde emission. The type A bond is phenolic glue and it makes sure the veneers are glued permanently.

Type C bond is urea-formaldehyde. It is also permitted by the formwork plywood standard but not accepted by most construction companies.

Film Types

Formply can use different coatings or films however the most common film is paper impregnated with phenolic adhesive (A-bond). During the manufacturing process, the adhesive cure on the panel surface to produce the typical plastic film seen on most formply. It is usually black in color for the Australia market.