Thermal Properties of Plywood

The average coefficient of thermal expansion for structural plywood is approximately 4.5 x 10^-6mm/mm/°C. This compares with 11 x 10^-6mm/mm/°C for steel.

The thermal conductivity of plywood made from most timbers is approximately 0.1154 Wm/m²°C. The corresponding thermal resistance is 8.67 m²°C/Wm. Thus the R value for 12mm plywood is approximately 0.10 m²°C/W.

Temperatures below 93°C have little affect on plywood, and any strength loss is recovered on cooling. Temperatures between 93 and 150°C will result in slow charring of the surface. Temperatures between 150 and 200°C lead to increased charring rates and possibility of spontaneous combusion, while exposure to temperatures over 200°C usually results in spontaneous combustion in a short period of time.

Reference: Plywood Association of Australia brochures "Structural plywood for commercial and industrial flooring" and "Facts about Plywood"

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Timber Research Unit
Department of Architecture
University of Tasmania