Plywood fk and fsf

The difference between FC plywood and FSF

Plywood is a popular material used in construction, furniture production, technical and decorative products. There are several types of it, in which it is desirable to understand in order to acquire what you need. In particular, it is useful to find the main difference between FC and FSF plywood as the most popular materials.

Structure and main difference

In FC plywood, veneer layers are glued with urea-formaldehyde glue. In FSF materials, gluing is carried out with phenol-formaldehyde glue resins. This is the fundamental difference between the types of FC and PSF, from which the corresponding consequences follow.

The external difference between FC and PSF is manifested in the color of the interlayer. The ends of the FC plywood are lighter, while the FSF has a dark reddish tint. This is explained by the fact that urea-based glue becomes transparent when solidified, while formaldehyde resins are colored.

The difference between FSF and FC is as follows:

• adhesive composition;
• moisture resistance;
• strength;
• end color;
• price;
• content of hazardous substances.

And it all depends mostly on the glue. The carbamide composition dissolves in water, so FC plywood products are afraid of getting wet. FSF, unlike FC, is a moisture resistant material.

Of course, the cost will be influenced by the place of production, additional processing and some other factors. But the general trend can still be traced.

It should be noted that there is also another type of plywood - FOF. She belongs to the group of special purposes. The difference between FOF and FSF plywood is that the former is covered with a durable laminated film. Thus, its moisture-resistant properties are further enhanced.

FC application

FK plywood sheets are made from hardwoods, mainly birch, poplar, alder. This is a wonderful material, the highest grades of which are distinguished by a light, even surface.

The peculiarity of FC is that, due to the adhesive, it does not withstand the prolonged influence of moisture and, when wet, swells and stratifies. At the same time, if such plywood is used in a dry room, then it exhibits high strength characteristics.

The question may arise, whether to use FSF or FC plywood for the floor, for example, for parquet? These two types are suitable, although moisture-resistant FSF plywood products (low grade, sanded and unpolished) are preferable. The difference between them will also be in the price. If the room is not damp, this is not a basement, not a basement, then in order to save money, you can use FC. Most often, when laying the floor, sheets 10-12 mm thick are used.

Application of FSF

FSF plywood is considered a moisture resistant material and more expensive. Both birch and coniferous veneers are used for its production.

It can be used outside buildings, in places with high humidity. Thick sheets of FSF are distinguished by their strength and wear resistance. They can be impregnated with fire retardants, as a result of which the plywood receives fire-resistant properties. This type is designated FSF-TV. It is used in passenger railway carriages, often laminated with a decorative film.

FSF sheets are used as a roofing material for the construction of stages, sports grounds, temporary structures, billboards. Such plywood is widely used for formwork, with laminated material being the best option here, since it can be used several times (up to 100).

Although furniture for living quarters is not made from FSF, it is great for garden benches, gazebos and other structures. Another common application is truck flooring and van cladding.It is allowed to make boxes for transportation of non-food goods from FSF-sheets.

The difference is in security

There is another important difference between the materials in question. It concerns the safety of their production, use and disposal.

The FSF contains phenol-formaldehyde, which makes one think about the safety of the material. Phenol and formaldehyde, from which the glue is made, are poisonous, negatively affect the skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory tract. Disposal of products with their contents is problematic.

When buying, you should pay attention to the class of emission of harmful substances. If the certificate of conformity is E1, then such plywood can be used even in the bedroom

It is prohibited to use class E2 indoors.

What to look for when choosing plywood?

The brand, grade and thickness of plywood are the main criteria for choosing a material.

Guests are guests, but it is better to check the quality of the material yourself. To determine which plywood to choose, first inspect the edges of the material. In high-quality plywood, the inner veneer layers should be straight, of the same thickness, without overlaps or gaps. The heterogeneity of the inner layers not only worsens the performance of the material, but can also appear on the outer side of the plywood sheet, create unnecessary problems during its cutting and at the finishing stage.

Before buying plywood, it will not be superfluous to visually assess the straightness of the sheet. Even a slight bend can turn into severe warpage due to the release of internal stresses after the sheet is cut.

The difference between FSF plywood and FC is in the composition of the glue that connects the veneer layers. For FC, this is urea-formaldehyde glue, and for FSF, it is phenol-formaldehyde. The first one does not tolerate moisture worse, therefore, FC plywood, although it does not allow moisture to pass through, swells after a while. Therefore, FC plywood is not suitable for outdoor work, installation of street trends and billboards, as well as for rooms with high air humidity. The main area of ​​application of FC plywood is interior wall decoration and furniture manufacturing. Main advantages:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Low price.

The glue in FSF plywood provides better moisture resistance, but is toxic. Therefore, such plywood is used mainly in industrial conditions, as well as in outdoor work. But the differences between FC and FSF plywood do not end there. Since FSF plywood is better suited for production conditions and transport, a refractory grade of plywood was produced. But the composition of FSF plywood contains phenol, which does not allow the use of this plywood in the manufacture of furniture and in the decoration of household premises.

Based on the scope of application of these types of plywood, they are made from different types of wood. Therefore, there are several criteria on how to distinguish FC plywood from FSF. Plywood FC does not contain phenol, therefore it is lighter. In order to determine the type of plywood, you need to look at the cut. FSF plywood will have a darker, reddish tint

It is important to distinguish between these types of plywood, since, despite the similar appearance, they are intended for use in different areas.

The choice of any kind (modification) of products from one group of products always raises many questions. The main reason is that it is sometimes difficult even for a specialist to find differences between samples, since in many parameters (size, appearance, color design, and so on) they are often almost identical.

It is even more difficult for a potential buyer, since it is not always possible to place products next to each other and make a comparative analysis of the structure, shades or something else. This fully applies to plywood. FC and FSF have a difference in individual characteristics (physicochemical, technical), which determine the specifics of the use of sheets. So what is it?

It is not entirely correct to focus only on the abbreviation indicated on the plywood price tag. Moreover, there is a difference between FC and FSF plywood not only in some operational parameters, but also in cost (although not so significant). It is hardly appropriate to hope for professionalism, and the decency of the seller, if the building material is not purchased at a specialized outlet. Therefore, when buying, be sure to make an external inspection of the sheets. Such meticulousness will help not only to identify defective samples, but also to make sure that this is exactly the type of plywood that is needed.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for unscrupulous traders to make an obvious forgery, hoping for the buyer's incompetence. Otherwise, it is not a fact that after the repair, after a short time, you will not have to deal with restoration, alteration, or even complete dismantling of the entire structure.

Plywood FC and FSF have a lot in common. This is what often confuses potential buyers. For example, both the one and the other plywood belongs to the category of "moisture resistant", "multi-layer". And the varieties of veneer are the same - coniferous wood (pine), deciduous (birch, sometimes alder in FC) or a combined version. The fundamental difference is in the adhesive composition, as evidenced by the product labeling.

• Ф - letter at the first position in the designation of all sheet modifications. It stands for plywood.
• K - the composition is urea-formaldehyde.
• SF is a somewhat different glue, resin formaldehyde.

It is the means used for fastening the veneer in these modifications of the wood-layered plate that determines the properties of a particular type of plywood.

What to look for when choosing plywood?

The brand, grade and thickness of plywood are the main criteria for choosing a material.

Guests are guests, but it is better to check the quality of the material yourself. To determine which plywood to choose, first inspect the edges of the material. In high-quality plywood, the inner veneer layers should be straight, of the same thickness, without overlaps or gaps. The heterogeneity of the inner layers not only worsens the performance of the material, but can also appear on the outer side of the plywood sheet, create unnecessary problems during its cutting and at the finishing stage.

Before buying plywood, it will not be superfluous to visually assess the straightness of the sheet. Even a slight bend can turn into severe warpage due to the release of internal stresses after the sheet is cut.

The choice of any kind (modification) of products from one group of products always raises many questions. The main reason is that it is sometimes difficult even for a specialist to find differences between samples, since in many parameters (size, appearance, color design, and so on) they are often almost identical.

It is even more difficult for a potential buyer, since it is not always possible to place products next to each other and make a comparative analysis of the structure, shades or something else. This fully applies to plywood. FC and FSF have a difference in individual characteristics (physicochemical, technical), which determine the specifics of the use of sheets. So what is it?

It is not entirely correct to focus only on the abbreviation indicated on the plywood price tag. Moreover, there is a difference between FC and FSF plywood not only in some operational parameters, but also in cost (although not so significant). It is hardly appropriate to hope for professionalism, and the decency of the seller, if the building material is not purchased at a specialized outlet. Therefore, when buying, be sure to make an external inspection of the sheets. Such meticulousness will help not only to identify defective samples, but also to make sure that this is exactly the type of plywood that is needed.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for unscrupulous traders to make an obvious forgery, hoping for the buyer's incompetence.Otherwise, it is not a fact that after the repair, after a short time, you will not have to deal with restoration, alteration, or even complete dismantling of the entire structure.

Plywood FC and FSF have a lot in common. This is what often confuses potential buyers. For example, both the one and the other plywood belongs to the category of "moisture resistant", "multi-layer". And the varieties of veneer are the same - coniferous wood (pine), deciduous (birch, sometimes alder in FC) or a combined version. The fundamental difference is in the adhesive composition, as evidenced by the product labeling.

• Ф - letter at the first position in the designation of all sheet modifications. It stands for plywood.
• K - the composition is urea-formaldehyde.
• SF is a somewhat different glue, resin formaldehyde.

It is the means used for fastening the veneer in these modifications of the wood-layered plate that determines the properties of a particular type of plywood.

Features of the use of plywood FC and FSF

FSF plywood differs significantly in quality from FC plywood.

Differences:

• The differences are not only in the composition of wood species, but also in the difference in the adhesive base. Basically, this plywood is made from a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees. Among them are larch, pine and birch.
• In addition, similar layers of trees are glued using phenol-formaldehyde glue. Due to the presence of phenol in the composition, such plywood is moisture resistant, therefore it can be easily used for external work, and for finishing walls that come into contact with precipitation.
• A similar composition can also be used when decorating a shed, and when insulating gazebos and houses. As mentioned above, this plywood contains phenol, which adversely affects the health of people.
• Accordingly, it is undesirable to use this kind of plywood for interior decoration of residential premises. In warm conditions, despite the moisture resistance, such plywood can release phenol, which is harmful to health.
• This plywood is safe for outdoor work, as well as for finishing non-residential premises. Outwardly, it differs somewhat from FC plywood in slightly darker interlayers. This is due to the presence of phenol in the adhesive. It is he who paints the layers in a reddish color. In FC plywood, the interlayers correspond to the color of the wood, are light.

Varieties of plywood

Decent alternative

When choosing plywood for finishing work, do not forget about such a category of material as FB ... It also uses hardwood or softwood veneer. However, the sheets are impregnated with bakelite varnish before gluing, the glue is made on the basis of water or alcohol-soluble resins.

Thanks to these features, the material is devoid of the disadvantages of plywood. FC and FSF , while embodying the best qualities.

It looks like this:

plywood has high moisture resistance, does not lose its original qualities even in sea water;

the material does not ignite and does not support the spread of open fire - the sheet will char, but will not flare up;

there are no toxic components in the composition, therefore, plywood of this series can be used in children's institutions;

a wide range of operating temperatures combined with resistance to almost any aggressive environment;

life time at least 10 years without loss of initial characteristics;

in terms of strength, such plywood is twice as strong as wood.

It should be noted that the characteristics of plywood FB confirmed by time: it was this material that was used for the manufacture of kamikaze aircraft.

Every person has heard the word "plywood" at least once in his life. In this article we will try to tell you what kind of material it is, what it is made of, where and how plywood is used.

Plywood is a multilayer wood building material, which consists of peeled veneer sheets glued together. Plywood is usually formed from an odd number of veneer sheets.

To increase the mechanical strength, the fibers in adjacent sheets are perpendicular to each other. This method of production makes plywood not only durable, but also ensures the stability of the sheet shape, and also endows the plywood with high resistance to deformation compared to natural wood.

Plywood production technologies differ slightly from each other due to the use of birch or coniferous veneer, as well as due to the addition of polymer resins.

Views

Depending on the glue used

• FSF (phenol formaldehyde glue) - the highest level of moisture resistance. Due to the harmful substances in the resin composition, it is not recommended for living quarters and furniture production;
• FKM (melamine glue) - medium level of moisture resistance. It has a lower content of harmful substances, but also a lower resistance to moisture, therefore it can be used wherever there are no increased requirements for moisture resistance and toxicity level;
• FC (urea glue) - low level of moisture resistance. It does not contain harmful substances, therefore it can only be used in the interior decoration of residential premises, as well as kindergartens, rooms, furniture;
• FBA (albuminocasein glue) - non-waterproof plywood. It is environmentally friendly and can be used wherever increased moisture resistance is not needed.

Separately, it is necessary to highlight bakelized plywood (FB). It is impregnated with bakelite glue and has the highest level of moisture resistance and response to aggressive environmental conditions. Can be used: at high / low temperatures; from tropical to northern climates, with constant exposure to sea water, microorganisms, etc.

Because this building material is quite expensive, for the convenience of buyers, it is divided into several more subspecies: according to the composition of the resin, as well as, according to the method of gluing, so that each person can choose the desired brand and not overpay in vain:

1. FBS (impregnation with alcohol-soluble glue), the main advantage is moisture resistance:

• FBS brand: all veneer layers are completely impregnated, the highest quality of the material;
• FBS-1 brand: the layers are not impregnated, but only coated, the quality is slightly lower;
• FBS-1A grade: only longitudinal layers are coated.

1. FBV (impregnation with water-soluble glue), the main advantage is strength:

• FBV brand: only the outer layers are impregnated, and the inner ones are coated;
• FBV-1 brand: veneer is only coated.

On the surface

Types of plywood for surface layer processing:

1. Laminated. To enhance all the qualities of wood, the outer layers are covered with a special film for additional protection of the surface;
2. Sanded on both sides (Ш2);
3. Sanded on one side (Ш1);
4. Unpolished (NSh).

The surface of the plywood is sanded in order to remove defects and make it more aesthetically pleasing.

Basically, sanded and laminated are used for finishing or decorative finishes, as well as for creating the front parts of furniture.

Types of plywood and its classification

Plywood is a well-known and popular sheet building material for a long time. It has high flexural strength, both in the longitudinal and transverse directions. In private households, it is used for sheathing frames, flooring. Cheap grades are also used in some construction processes.

Plywood is made of several veneer layers glued together.

The fibers are layered in different directions. This increases the flexural strength of the material in all directions.

Plywood is one of the most famous and popular sheet materials in construction.

Plywood is made from softwood and birch. Birch is more expensive, more often used as furniture. Coniferous is made from all coniferous wood. Cheaper options - from larch, pine and spruce - can be used both for the manufacture of furniture and for construction needs (for example, for frame cladding or for removable formwork in the manufacture of concrete products).They can use Siberian cedar veneer. This type usually comes as a finishing material.

Layers and their number

There are at least three layers in plywood, but maybe more. The layers are arranged so that the veneer fibers are directed in different directions - alternately along the long side of the sheet, then across. An odd number of veneer layers is more common. In private housing construction, three and five-layer plywood is most often used. In this case, the orientation of the layers is selected relative to the central layer.

Layers are perpendicular to each other

If on the outer layer the veneer fibers are directed along the long side, the plywood is called longitudinal. It has great flexibility. If the veneer fibers are located along the short side of the sheet, plywood is called transverse and is used where high bending rigidity is required.

Moisture resistance

Since glue is used in the manufacture, the entire material has a fairly high degree of water resistance. There are several popular brands of plywood:

• Moisture resistant marked with FC. For its gluing, a glue based on carbamide-formaldehyde resin is used. That is, there is formaldehyde emission. With an emission class E1 and below, it can be used indoors or for the manufacture of furniture.

• Plywood of increased moisture resistance - FSF. The same glue is used only with water-repellent additives. Can be used for outdoor use.

• FSF-TV. The same water-repellent plywood but with flame retardant additives.
• Laminated - practically insensitive to moisture.

If you need material for indoor use and don't want to worry about formaldehyde in the air, look for the FBA brand. It is environmentally friendly, but only suitable for rooms with normal humidity. The FB brand does not swell even under water, there is also BS aviation plywood. She still does not react to chemical environments. It was used in the construction of ships and airliners.

Surface finish

The outer layers of plywood can be sanded during production. There are such types:

• Unpolished. No surface treatment. Marked with NSh.
• Only one side is sanded to smoothness. Sh1 is added to the marking.

• Both sides are sanded - Ш2.

Plywood sanded on both sides is used for the manufacture of furniture. For construction sites, both smooth sides are rarely needed. Usually, if polished is used, then Ш1. And then, if this material is used for decorative cladding. More often at a construction site, an unpolished one is needed - it provides better adhesion to other materials.

Geometry and other

Thickness. The biggest dilemma here is what to take on the floor. In general, there is such a rule that at least 3/4 of the thickness of the subsequent floor covering. From experience - less than 10mm on the floor is not taken. For residential premises with a small load, this is usually 12-15mm thick. It is not the thickness that is more important here, the quality with which the sheets will be laid. 18mm plywood can also creak and bend perfectly.

There is nothing to advise on the format - it is chosen based on their design needs. The most popular format of the FC brand is square sheets 1525x1525mm.

There is also such a factor as the manufacturer: the price may differ by 20% or more. For example, film faced plywood is successfully produced by both China and the Russian Federation. Guess what is cheaper :) There are really a lot of plywood manufacturers with the same marking - it is better to be interested in the differences on the spot with the supplier. Touching a product is also a significant factor in choosing.

Very often in construction, renovation, exterior and interior decoration, a material is required that is equally strong and lightweight, inexpensive and resistant to environmental conditions. Plywood meets all these requirements. In this article, we will take a closer look at the types of plywood, its characteristics and the purpose of each type.

Familiar plywood

Plywood is a wood-laminated material with at least 3 layers. The layers are veneer or tree bark.When manufacturing, the veneer is placed in each layer perpendicular to the previous one, therefore, the density and strength increase, and the composition used for gluing the layers increases moisture resistance.

An alternative to using these building materials

If you do not fixate yourself on purchasing any of the aforementioned plywood, then in this case, the most appropriate option would be to purchase sheets with the FB marking. This plywood combines the advantages of using both of these materials. It has the ability to boast of having really high characteristics, which are determined by the peculiarities of its production. Such veneer is impregnated with a special bakelite varnish, thanks to which really impressive physical and technical characteristics are provided!

The concept of "plywood" is a collective term that unites sheets glued from three or more layers of wood veneer. The fibers of the wood are usually perpendicular, which allows the plywood to hold its shape and resist dynamic loads.

Currently, plywood of the class is very popular FC
and FSF
... However, disputes about the quality of products and their environmental safety do not subside between the finishers. Let's try to understand this issue.

Characteristic

For gluing FC (plywood glued sheet), glue based on carbamide-formaldehyde resin is used. It is notable for its low moisture resistance and therefore is used as a base for parquet or laminate indoors with relative humidity, for wall decoration and furniture manufacture. Such material is durable, which is especially taken into account when buying furniture.

FC is a relatively cheap material and therefore is in great demand. Also in its production, silicate glue is used, which is the least harmful to human health. It is made from birch or alder, and a combination of these tree species is also possible. If a large amount of moisture gets on the FC, then after drying it can curl or stratify. Such sheets can be up to 40 mm thick and can be divided into grades, depending on the presence of knots on the surface.

The concept of "plywood" is a collective term that unites sheets glued from three or more layers of wood veneer. The fibers of the wood are usually perpendicular, which allows the plywood to hold its shape and resist dynamic loads.

Currently, plywood of the class is very popular FC
and FSF
... However, disputes about the quality of products and their environmental safety do not subside between the finishers. Let's try to understand this issue.

Nuances of marking

In addition to the brand, as mentioned above, the marking contains other information. Therefore, further we will get acquainted with all the designations that can be found on plywood sheets.

An example of the surface of plywood of different grades

Grade

The plywood marking must contain the grade designation, which determines its quality. According to the existing GOSTs, plywood boards exist in the following grades:

Surface of elite grade E plywood

It should be noted that there are different grading systems.Often, Roman numerals are replaced by the Latin letters "A", "B" and "C". Moreover, the letters can be combined, which means a different number of defects.

Of course, it is not difficult to guess that, for example, the technical characteristics of FC grade plywood, Air Force grade, correspond to the lowest category. But, in some cases, it is better to ask the seller what grade the material belongs to in accordance with GOST.

Note! If the grade of the material is indicated with a fraction, for example, I / II, this means that the front side corresponds to the first grade, and the back side corresponds to the second. Laminated plywood

Laminated plywood

Treatment type

Another important difference between plywood is the type of processing or lack of it. Depending on this, the material is divided into the following types:

Depending on this, the material is divided into the following types:

• NSh (unpolished veneer) - as a rule, it is used for rough work. True, if necessary, the surface can be sanded with your own hands and in this way you can save money;
• Ш2 - the sheet is sanded on both sides;
• Ш1 - processing is performed only from the front side;
• FOF - the plywood surface is laminated, which gives it not only an attractive appearance, but also makes the material more moisture resistant;
• DF-1 - sheets are faced with a film based on melamine-formaldehyde resins;
• DF-3 - a feature of the material is increased water resistance, as well as finishing on both sides with special decorative paper. The cladding also contains melamine-formaldehyde resins.

Paper-decorated plywood

Wood species

Depending on the type of wood from which the veneer is made, the sheets are divided into two types:

• E - plywood is made of softwood. This material is relatively soft, but at the same time resistant to decay;
• Ex - hardwood was used for veneer. As a rule, birch is used for these purposes. It is more prone to decay, but it is hard and durable.

In the photo - birch plywood sheets

Emission classes

Emission classes indicate the formaldehyde content of dry sheets.

Depending on this parameter, plywood is divided into the following classes:

• E1 - contains less than 10 mg of formaldehyde per 100 g of material;
• E2 - contains 10-30 mg of formaldehyde;
• E3 - the content of this substance is from 30 to 60 mg, inclusive.