14 Dulwich St., Loganholme, Queensland, 4129, Australia
P07 3806 1944 (+617 3806 1944) F07 3209 7711 (+617 3209 7711)

Plywood Specifications

A quick overview

Standards

AS/NZS 2272:2006 (usually called AS2272) The Australian marine plywood standard. Plywood made to this standard is amongst the very best in the world. Has legal effect in Australia and New Zealand.
BS1088-1:2004 (Usually called BS1088). The British maine plywood standard. Probably the most widely known standard for marine ply in the world. Extensively used by the asian plywood mills as well as the European. Has no legal effect outside the UK. Some European manufacturers can provide a legal certificate of conformance.
AS/NZS 2271:2004 The Australian exterior grade of plywood standard. Specifies lower quality veneers than AS 2272, but does require waterproof glue. (Although some is only semi waterproof, B Bond, it is important to check the stamp on the sheet). Exterior plywood with an A Bond is useful in many parts of marine construction.
AS/NZS 2269:2008 The Australian structural plywood standard. This defines the F strength standards which can be relied upon when using F rated plywoods, such the plywood which complies with AS 2272. Structural plywood is made pretty much without reference to its appearance, so it can look pretty ugly.

Face Veneers

Marine Plywood to AS 2272 has either AA faces or OO faces. (OO is defined in the AS 2272 standard, they are similar to a B grade face). Australian exterior plywood is typically AC and structural is CD or even DD. Other combinations are possible.

Imported marine ply is usually described by the importer as AA or BB and we would generally agree with those descriptions.

AS 2271 and AS 2269 go into considerable detail about these veneer grades. this is a quick summary.

Quality A —a high quality appearance grade, suitable for clear finishing.
Quality S —an appearance grade that permits natural characteristics as a decorative feature.
Quality B —an appearance grade suitable for high quality paint finishing.

(B) Back veneer qualities:

Quality C —a non-appearance grade with a solid surface.
Quality D —a non-appearance grade with permitted open imperfections. (Often large open knot holes.)

Glue Standards

Type A bond is produced from phenol formaldehyde (PF) resin that sets permanently under controlled heat and pressure and will not deteriorate under wet conditions, heat or cold. It is readily recognised by its black colour. The Type A bond is specified in AS2272 for marine plywood, AS2269 for structural plywood and AS2271 for exterior plywood used under conditions of long term full exposure or under wet or damp conditions.
Type B bond is produced from melamine fortified urea formaldehyde resin (MUF) which again sets under controlled heat and pressure. Type B bond is included in the AS2271 exterior plywood standard for applications involving up to two years maximum exposure such as formwork plywood or plywood used in semi exposed applications such as exterior door skins.
Type C and Type D bonds are both interior bonds and are not recommended for any purpose where exterior use or wet or damp conditions are involved, or where long term load bearing requirements exist. The glue line is light coloured.

Enquiries

Please call Boatcraft Pacific 07 3806 1944 ( +617 3806 1944) for how to contact your nearest reseller.