Marine plywood is manufactured from durable face and core veneers, with few defects so it performs longer in both humid and wet conditions and resists delaminating and fungal attack. Its construction is such that it can be used in environments where it is exposed to moisture for long periods. Each wood veneer will be from tropical hardwoods, 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 Weather and Boil Proof (WBP) glue similar to most exterior plywoods. Better grades also tend to be lightweight, strong, and virtually free of defects. These qualities are what make this plywood a popular choice for building boats and boat parts. It's also a smart option for durable outdoor furniture projects in coastal areas, especially after it receives a strong protective finish.
There are several different grades of Marine plywood. Every grade typically has a distinct knot size and frequency, as well as a unique weight and thickness for its plies. All sheets can contain knots but no knotholes. Here are some of the different types of Marine-grade plywood: A-A: This grade of exterior Western plywood typically comes in sizes of 1220x2440mm or 910x1820mm A-B: This type of panel is also often found in a 1220x2440mm size. It is a stronger grade of plywood and has no open knots. A 3-plies A-B grade Marine plywood panel can weigh anywhere between 2.2 and 5.5 kg. Meanwhile, a 9-plies panel can weigh between 17 and 21 kg. B-B: This is also called face-back Marine plywood.
The veneer under the fiber surface is smooth and perfect for painting. MDO is very strong, durable and has dimensional stability, is often found in 4 feet by 8 feet size, and can come in various thicknesses, including ⅜-inches, ⅝-inches, ½-inch, ¾-inches and 1 inch. MDO-grade plywood is often used for siding and is resistant to denting and scratching, as well as weather and chemical damage.
HDO is manufactured with more resin than MDO and it is available in two types: Concrete and Industrial. Industrial grade HDO panels are commonly used for highway panels, industrial tanks and other demanding applications. HDO has a longer service life.
Film Faced Plywood is the special plywood with one or two sides coated with wearable and water-proof film which protect the core from moisture, water, weather and extend the plywood’s life.
Film faced plywood uses for various function: industry, construction, furniture… Fomex Group are manufacturing film faced plywood to distribute over the world. 4/ Container Flooring Plywood Standard shipping container flooring usually consists of marine hardwood plywood made from Apitong or Keruing in 25-30mm thickness. It is occasionally varnished but with costs being kept to a minimum these days it will usually come in a plain finish and treated. Timber plank flooring can be seen on older containers but the trend these days is more towards plywood. The hardwood used in containers however is in danger of running out and many container companies have run trials with alternatives.
The name of these plywood suggests that these are used for the boat construction industry because they are highly resistant to water. Boats require a tremendous resistance to water. Hence, they are made to withstand long exposure to water. While BWP grade can do that, BWR can only resist exposure to water for a shorter span of time. BWP grade makes an ideal choice for homeowners and architects in making furniture for bathrooms and kitchens and other places that are frequently exposed to water.
The adhesives used in making marine plywood are synthetic plastic resin, basically, a Phenol Formaldehyde resin that is known to have great adhesive quality. Use of good quality resins helps block all the moisture and water. Good brands use undiluted resin so that the quality of the plywood is not compromised with.
Mentioned earlier, these plywood have a great threshold for water exposure. Hence, marine-grade is used outdoors as garden furniture or staircases. Going by the name, they are used in the boat-making industry where exposure to water is high. They are preferred for bathroom and kitchen applications for the same reason. 3. Marine-grade plywood has unmatchable strength
Use of good quality resins and timber, make marine plywood the strongest in the plywood industry. They are known for their strength and durability. The waterproof aspect of these ply retains the integrity of your furniture.
As compared to the moisture-resistant variant, commercial plywood, marine-grade plywood are generally twice as expensive. Marine plywood price differs from brand to brand, however, the plywood sheet price differs more because of the quality of resin and timber used to manufacture them. The utility of marine plywood is vast which could affect the marine plywood price in the plywood industry. They have an extraordinary surface finish for both residential and commercial purposes. Marine plywood is impact-resistant and the hard exterior makes it scratch-proof. These features contribute to their popularity for commercial and residential constructions.