Birch Plywood
Birch Plywood
- Specification
- Technical Data
Birch plywood is a premium engineered wood panel constructed from cross-laminated layers of 100% birch veneers. Renowned for its exceptional strength, stability, and fine surface finish, it is the material of choice for high-end furniture, architectural millwork, and specialized industrial applications where superior performance is required.
Key Features
Material Composition
Face/Back: Rotary-cut Baltic birch veneers (Grade B/BB to A/AA)
Core: Uniform birch veneers throughout (no filler species)
Adhesive: WBP (Water Boil Proof) phenolic resin
Physical Properties
Density: 680-700 kg/m³ (20% denser than standard plywood)
Modulus of Elasticity: 11,000-14,000 N/mm² (EN 310)
Impact Resistance: 50% higher than softwood plywood
Standard Specifications
Parameter Range Thickness 3mm-30mm (±0.15mm tolerance) Panel Sizes 1220x2440mm (standard), 1525x3050mm (oversize) Ply Count 5-ply (3mm) to 21-ply (30mm)
Performance Advantages
✓ Structural Integrity - 40% stronger bending strength than pine plywood
✓ Dimensional Stability - 0.3% thickness swelling (24hr water immersion)
✓ Workability - Holds fine edges and CNC machining details
✓ Aesthetic Quality - Consistent pale color with minimal defects
Manufacturing Process
Veneer Production - Birch logs peeled into 1.2-1.8mm veneers
Drying & Grading - Precision dried to 6±1% moisture content
Cross-Lamination - Odd-numbered layers with 90° grain orientation
Hot Pressing - 150°C at 25kg/cm² pressure for 3-8 minutes
Finishing - Calibrated sanding to P120-P180 grit
Application Guide
| Industry | Typical Uses | Recommended Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| High-End Furniture | Cabinet carcasses, designer tables | 12mm-18mm |
| Architectural | Premium wall paneling, curved surfaces | 6mm-9mm |
| Transport | Aircraft/vehicle interiors | 3mm-6mm |
| Musical Instruments | Speaker cabinets, piano parts | 9mm-15mm |
Quality Standards
Formaldehyde - E0 (≤0.05ppm) and NAF (No Added Formaldehyde) options
Bond Quality - Exceeds EN 314-2 boil test requirements
Surface Quality - ≤1 visible defect per m² (A grade)
Comparative Analysis
| Property | Birch Plywood | Standard Plywood | MDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (18mm) | 12.5kg/m² | 11kg/m² | 13.5kg/m² |
| Edge Stability | Excellent | Good | Poor |
| Machining Quality | Superior | Average | Good |
| Cost Factor | 1.8x | 1.0x | 1.2x |
Installation & Finishing
Cutting - Requires 60-tooth+ tungsten carbide blades
Edge Treatment - Naturally attractive for exposed edges
Finishing - Accepts stains, varnishes, and lacquers equally well
Fastening - Pre-drill for screws near edges (5mm pilot hole)
