The modern market is filled with various sheet building and finishing materials. Among them, FC brand plywood stands out with its characteristics. Due to such quality as versatility, it is in demand not only among professional builders, but also among ordinary consumers who decide to make repairs or build on their own. With this material, you can sheathe walls, level floors or use it in the manufacture of furniture with your own hands.
So, FC plywood - what kind of material is it? You can find out its characteristics and features by reading this article.
Features of plywood FC
Plywood FC - what is it? The abbreviation FK includes the words "plywood" and "urea". This is a multi-layer moisture-resistant, in the form of square sheets, material made from peeled veneer of hardwood or softwood, the layers of which are glued with urea-formaldehyde resins. The fibers on all sheets of veneer used for gluing plywood are at the same angle.
The production of this building material is carried out in stages. First, the main inner layer is formed and glued,which can be made from solid veneer of any type of wood or be combined. Then it is glued on both sides with veneer sheets, which serve as a finishing cladding. The use of silicate glue in the production of FK plywood slightly reduces its waterproof characteristics, however, plywood sheets of this brand can be used for finishing walls, ceilings, indoor floors, as well as in the manufacture of formwork for strip foundations, furniture production.
In most cases, birch wood is used to make FK plywood. It is distinguished by high strength, wear resistance, good environmental properties, decorative texture, good surface qualities. Due to the characteristics of the source material, birch plywood is the most in demand compared to other types.
Scope of application
Despite its low moisture resistance, FC plywood is used in various fields.
- Wall and ceiling cladding. High-quality plywood sheets that do not emit any toxic substances are suitable for surface cladding in both residential and office premises.
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Laying under laminate, parquet. Laying plywood as an underlay improves the sound and heat insulation of the floor covering. For lining under the laminate, sheets with a thickness of 5-15 mm are used. Before installation, the strips are sawn into squares so that there is no internal stress of the material, therefore, low-grade plywood can be used for such purposes by cutting outunusable parts. Under the parquet, the plywood substrate is made solid. Its thickness should be at least 2/3 of the height of the parquet board.
- Production of furniture. For the manufacture of interior items, high quality plywood is used. It is used to make chairs, sofas, various shelves, drawers.
Besides, FK plywood is used for the manufacture of exhibition stands, souvenirs and packaging products.
FC Plywood Standards
Russian manufacturers produce plywood that meets all the requirements stipulated by several GOSTs, since there is no single such document for the production of this material. Standard size of plywood sheets: 1525x1525 mm. They also produce strips with other dimensions: 1270x1525 mm, 1475x1525 mm, 1220x2440 mm. Standard sheet thickness is 3-24mm.
Material grade
There are four grades of FC plywood, which are determined depending on the number of different wood defects (cracks, knots, growths, patches, and others) on each side of the strip. Therefore, the grade may have such a designation “Plywood FK 2/2, 3/2, 4/2”, etc.
- First grade allows cracks no longer than 2 cm.
- Second - provides for various wood inserts, slight glue seepage.
- Third grade can have 1m2 no more than 9-10 wormholes no larger than 6 mm each.
- Fourth is the lowest quality FK plywood. Thisthe variety allows an unlimited number of wormholes up to 4 cm in size, various edge defects.
On sale is NSh, Sh 1, Sh 2 plywood FC. What are these designations? This is often asked by ordinary consumers who are not professionals. Depending on the degree of surface treatment, FK plywood can be of two types:
- polished;
- unpolished.
Marking Ш 1 means that the plywood sheet is sanded on one side; Ш 2 - on both sides; NSh - unpolished, the cost of which is slightly lower.
Benefits
FK moisture resistant plywood has a number of advantages due to which it is popular with consumers:
- original texture;
- strength, wear resistance;
- sustainable;
- ease of processing;
- easy installation;
- safety in use;
- light weight;
- low price.
Flaws
The disadvantage of the material is that the plywood brand FK has limitations in heat resistance and water resistance. It swells and loses its shape very quickly. In this regard, the material is recommended to be used only indoors, as the air humidity indicators are low there.
How to visually distinguish FK plywood
If you want to purchase a product of this particular brand and do not know how plywood FC differs from its counterparts, what kind ofmaterial, you should contact the seller for help. You can also independently determine the required type by its external features. FK plywood differs from FB and FSF in that there are light yellow streaks of glue between the layers of veneer on the end sides of the sheet.
Storage and transportation rules
FK plywood should be stored in a dry, clean and covered area. Storage is carried out in stacks, the height of which should not exceed 5 flights with the obligatory laying of bars for intervals of 45-50 cm. The shelf life of this material is 3 years. Transportation of plywood foxes should be carried out only in covered vehicles or wagons.
