The most commonly used types of plywood: a comprehensive analysis and application guide
Based on industry standards and authoritative data, this article systematically sorts out the classification system, core characteristics and applicable scenarios of plywood, providing professional reference for engineering material selection and home decoration.
Core classification: divided by structure and raw materials
Single core plywood
Definition: It is made of multiple layers of wood veneer vertically staggered and pressed, and the fiber directions of adjacent layers are 90° to each other, forming a high-strength structure.
Advantages: Lightweight, excellent bending resistance, suitable for load-bearing scenarios such as furniture frames and building templates.
Typical products: three-ply board (3 layers), five-ply board (5 layers), odd-numbered layer design conforms to the principles of symmetry and stability.
Medium fiberboard (MDF) core plywood
Composition: The outer layer is wood veneer, the inner core is medium-density fiberboard, and the surface is smooth and flat.
Applicable scenarios: cabinet door panels, decorative panels and other fields that require fine processing, but high humidity environments must be avoided.
Solid wood core plywood
Features: The interior is made of solid wood strips, and the outer layer is covered with veneer, which has both the strength of solid wood and the stability of plywood.
Application: Scenarios that require deformation resistance, such as long-span countertops and bookshelf shelves.
Functional classification: classified by weather resistance and application scenarios
Ordinary plywood
Class I (boiling water resistant type): phenolic resin glue is used, which can withstand boiling water and extreme climates, and is used for ships and outdoor buildings.
Class II (water resistant type): urea-formaldehyde resin glue is used for bonding, suitable for humid environments such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Class III (moisture resistant type): low formaldehyde urea-formaldehyde glue, limited to dry indoor environments (such as furniture linings).
Class IV (non-moisture resistant type): soybean glue is used for non-structural purposes such as packaging boxes.
Special plywood
Marine plywood: tropical hardwood veneer + phenolic glue, resistant to seawater corrosion, in line with shipbuilding standards.
Aviation plywood: birch veneer + phenolic film paper, light and high strength, used for aircraft parts.
Flame retardant plywood: add flame retardant to meet GB 8624 B1 fire protection standard, suitable for public place decoration.
Insect-proof/anti-corrosion plywood: veneer impregnated with insect repellent or preservative to extend outdoor service life.
Environmental protection and process classification
Environmental protection level
E0 level: formaldehyde emission ≤0.05 mg/m³, in line with children’s furniture standards, price premium 15-20%.
E1 level: formaldehyde emission ≤0.124 mg/m³, meet the basic requirements of interior decoration, mainstream product in the market.
E2 level: for industrial use only, surface sealing treatment is required.
Surface treatment process
Sanding board: mechanical grinding to improve flatness, suitable for paint covering.
Veneer: covered with solid wood veneer or PVC film, used for high-end furniture finishing.
Painted board: pre-coated with environmentally friendly paint to reduce on-site construction pollution.
Size and tree species selection guide
Standard specifications
Length and width: 1220×2440mm (general type), 5×5 feet (decorative board).
Thickness: 3mm (lightweight plywood), 18mm (floor base), 32mm (heavy-duty structure).
Common tree species
Hardwood: birch (high strength), mountain camphor (corrosion resistance), beech (beautiful texture).
Softwood: pine (low cost), poplar (lightweight and easy to process).
Bamboo: bamboo plywood (environmentally friendly and crack-resistant), used for outdoor floors and walls.
Purchase and quality control points
Four-step inspection method
Observe the edge: no delamination, burrs, uniform cross-section glue layer.
Knock and identify the sound: a crisp sound indicates tight bonding, and a dull sound may indicate debonding.
Smell: Pungent odor indicates excessive formaldehyde, and E0/E1 grade is preferred.
Check certification: Look for domestic and international standard logos such as GB/T 18259 and EN 636.
Future trends and industry data
Market size:
In 2024, China’s plywood production capacity will reach 221 million cubic meters/year, accounting for 60% of the global total production.
Technology upgrade:
The penetration rate of automated production lines exceeds 75%, and the single board peeling accuracy error is ≤0.1mm.
Environmental transformation:
From 2025, the EU will force imported plywood to meet the E0 grade standard, forcing the industry to upgrade.
