information/FAQs

Marine plywood

Marine Plywood manufactured to AS/NZS2272 has a permanent Type A phenolic bond. It is manufactured from selected species based on density, bending strength, impact resistance and surface finishing characteristics. None of the species used in marine plywood are naturally durable, so preservative treatment is required in many marine applications such as boat hulls, pontoons and marinas.

Preservative treatment of marine plywood can be carried out either in a treatment plant prior to use, or in situ. In either case, all cut edges need to be re-treated. Advice should be sought from adhesive and preservative manufacturers if gluing of preservative treated plywood is intended, as most preservatives affect bonding of resorcinol adhesives.

PAA stamped marine plywood has consistent structural properties. For design purposes marine plywood can be considered to have a stress grade of F14. Marine plywood generally has thinner face veneers over thicker underlying cross veneers to give it similar strength and stiffness properties in both face directions.

There is no second grade marine plywood. Marine plywood manufactured to AS/NZS2272 has two A grade faces and a Type A bond.

Marine plywood manufactured to AS/NZS2272 should be used in hulls of boats, in other marine applications where specified and in aircraft construction. Marine plywood should be branded with the "PAA/JAS-ANZ" marine plywood product certification stamp.

Reference: Plywood Association of Australia