Pink Satinwood (Kokoda) Marine Plywood BS1088
Temporary Supply problems - Update March 2014.
We are told there has been a serious accident at the mill involving a fatal boiler explosion and as a result some thicknesses of Pink Satinwood will be unobtainable for some months. We have obtained supplies of plywood made from Merswa and or Nyatoh (Pencil Cedar) which is about the same weight and price, however the sheets are 2440 long, not 2500. As at 1 November only 4mm is out of stock and the 12mm is sometimes only 2440 mm long. As at March 2014, we are disappointed to say that the veneer thicknesses used in this plywood has become less satisfactory, the 6mm showing an extremely thin central veneer (0.4mm) and the side veneers being 1.8mm thick and the face veneers are 1mm. Technically it complies with BS1088, but it is right on the extreme edge as to what is acceptable.
Please call for more info.
This pink satinwood marine plywood has the larger sheet size of 2.5 metres long by 1.22 metres wide.
Pink Satinwood is another name for this rainforest hardwood from Papua New Guinea. The scientific name is Buchanania spp (being mostly Buchanania heterophylla and Buchanania macrocarpa). The book by Keith R. Bootle "Wood In Australia" states that it similar to gaboon with a provisional strength rating for seasoned timber possibly a little stronger. Like gaboon it has low decay resistance and moderate dimensional stability. The manufacturer states that it has an air dry density of 425kg per cubic metre, which varies from log to log (Bootle says 350kg/cu m). The sheets are manufactured from a single pink hardwood timber species, with a 1.2mm "B" grade Face and 1.2mm "B" grade Back. The glue is an "A" Bond "Phenolic" black colour - and it will meet or exceed the 72 hour boil test. The ply is constructed as follows 3mm(3 ply); 4mm(3 ply); 6mm(5 ply); 9mm(5 ply); 12mm(7 ply); 15mm(7 ply); 18mm(9 ply) and 25mm(11 ply).
The first thing to realize is that any standard is legally enforceable only within its country of origin. Thus as a quality guarantee, BS1088 is only enforceable within the British Isles.
BS1088 specifies that for marine ply the timber selected should be a moderately durable species, it also permits the non-durable Okoume species to be used. Face veneers must be free of open defects other than small sound “pin” knots. Gaps are not permitted. BS1088 allows “occasional closed splits”. Core veneers are permitted to have sound knots, as well as edge gaps up to 0.5 mm. The adhesive used in all marine plywood manufacture is waterproof phenolic type WBP. Regular production sampling and testing is required for waterproof and adhesion qualities by both long term immersion and by 72 hour boiling. There should be no adhesion failures.
Boatcraft Pacific inspects plywood before offering it for sale and we regularly reject plywood that does not meet the specification. For some historic reasons, BS1088 has come to be regarded as an international standard which indicates that, worldwide, a plywood sheet so branded will meet marine requirements. While this belief is valid and legally enforceable within U.K., regrettably it is not so elsewhere. Because there is no enforceability outside U.K. the sad fact is that many Asian manufacturers appear happy to apply the mark BS1088 as a brand rather than as a statement of quality, with the result that quite inferior products are now widely available on the market, showing poor bonding, splits and other defects in both face and core veneers, all in the name of “marine plywood”.
We have sent quite a lot of poor quality Gaboon marine plywood back to the importers (who we suspect just take it around to our competitors who, not knowing any better, just sell it as first grade).
We can ship plywood to anywhere in Australia, how-ever we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you also buy 2 of the 3mm MDF Sheets to protect your plywood from damage whilst in transit. If your order weighs more than 30kg, please give some thought as to how it is going to be unloaded from the delivery truck.
Here is some information about glue bond quality and how to check it.
