What is FSF plywood and how to choose it?

Plywood - building material, which is made from thin sheets of wood (veneer) glued together. Several varieties of such material are known. Their main differences are different technologies for gluing layers, type of glue and wood species. One of the varieties of plywood - FSF. Let's figure out what this abbreviation means, and what properties are inherent in the building material.

The decoding of the abbreviation of the FSF brand translates as "Plywood and resin phenol-formaldehyde glue".

There are a few species FSF plywood. They are classified according to the composition used as an impregnation.

• Moisture resistant (GOST 3916.1-96). Plywood for general use with a moisture content not exceeding 10%.

• Laminated (with FOF marking) GOST R 53920-2010. The protective film can be applied to one side of the material, or to both. For the manufacture of building materials, polished FSF plywood, made from birch layers of wood, is taken. High-quality raw materials do not have air bubbles, dents, scratches that violate the integrity of the film, zones without a protective shell on the surface.

• Birch (GOST 3916.1-2108). Rectangular sheets with a thickness of 9 mm. The name of the material is determined by the upper layers made of birch massif. Such plywood has increased bending strength.

Different types of PSF material have similar technical parameters.

FSF plywood is produced in the form rectangular sheets. Their weight directly depends on the number of layers. Weight ranges from 7 to 41 kilograms. The density of birch plywood board is 650 kg / m3, coniferous - 550 kg / m3.

Running sheet sizes:

• 1220x2440;
• 1500x3000;
• 1525x3050.

Description of the main performance characteristics:

• plywood is hardly combustible - it ignites only when exposed to high temperatures;
• has excellent water-repellent qualities;
• easy to assemble;
• resists low temperatures and sudden temperature changes.

FSF plywood is tensile and bending resistant and resistant to wear.

In the construction market, 2 types of plywood are especially popular - FSF and FC... It is difficult to distinguish visually these 2 brands of products. Both materials are made from hardwood or softwood, and can have from 3 to 21 veneer layers.

Let's figure out what the main differences are.

1. Adhesive composition. Plywood with the abbreviation FC indicates that urea resin was used in the manufacture of the plywood board. It is visually different from formaldehyde glue. FK plywood glue layers are light, while for FSF products they have a red tint.
2. Flexural Strength Indicators... The FC values ​​range from 40 to 45 MPa, while the PSF strength reaches 60 MPa.
3. Moisture resistance... FSF board has increased moisture resistance compared to FC. High water resistance is ensured by the properties of the formaldehyde adhesive.When wet, such plywood will swell, however, after drying, its appearance is completely restored. FC is more sensitive to moisture - when wet, it often stratifies and curls.
4. Environmental friendliness... Plywood board FC in this position takes a priority place, since there are no phenols in its adhesive base. In FSF, phenolic compounds are present in the glue in a volume of 8 mg per 100 g of the substance.
5. Decorative qualities these two types of plywood are the same.
6. If you compare price, then the price for FSF waterproof plywood will be higher than for FC products.

FSF plywood is manufactured from soft or hard wood, they can be like deciduousand conifers... It can be longitudinal or transverse, have 3, 5 or more layers (three, five and multi-layer, respectively). These gradations can be combined by manufacturers in various proportions.

Building material can have different grades:

• grade I is characterized by the greatest damage - the total length of defects on 1 sheet should not exceed 20 cm;
• Grade II - the length of the cracks is up to 15 cm, the presence of an adhesive composition is permissible on the surface of the products (no more than 2% of the plank area);
• III grade - openings from knots, falling out knots, wormholes are permissible for it;
• Grade IV implies the presence of various manufacturing defects (an unlimited number of wormholes up to 4 cm in diameter, intergrown and non-intergrown knots), such products are considered to be of the lowest quality.

They are characterized by minimal deviations in the structure of wood. Wormholes, knots and holes from them, streaks and other defects are not allowed.

To determine the main parameters of plywood boards, manufacturers attach to the building material marking... Let's give an example "pine plywood FSF 2/2 E2 Ш2 1500х3000 х 10 GOST 3916.2-96". The marking says that the presented plywood sheet is made of pine veneer using the FSF technology, with a front and back surface of grade 2, grade 2 of phenolic emission, double-sided grinding, 10 mm thick and 1500x3000 mm in size, manufactured in accordance with the standards of GOST 3916.2-96.

Plywood FSF - an irreplaceable building material, which is supposed to be used in conditions of high humidity. Such products are characterized by high strength, reliability and durability. Due to these features, they are widely used:

• in the construction industry (as a structural building material for the construction of a roof, as a facing material for outdoor work, as an auxiliary element during the installation of formwork);
• in mechanical engineering and shipbuilding, as well as in related industries (used when creating parts, used as a finishing building material);
• in the advertising industry and packaging industry;
• in furniture production;
• for solving various household tasks.

The fact is that the glue contains phenol - substance harmful to human health.

Going to a hardware store for a plywood board, it is important to know in advance what are the criteria for choosing a material. There are several of them.

1. Marking... For interior decoration, you should not purchase products with the abbreviation FSF; for this purpose, a multi-layer FC board is suitable.
2. Variety... For rough work, preference should be given to grade 3 and 4 plywood, and for finishing works, only grade 1 and 2 are suitable.
3. Class... When arranging floor coverings, it is allowed to use only products of class E1.
4. Moisture of sheets. Indicators should not exceed 12%.
5. The number of layers in 1 layer. The more there are, the stronger the material and the longer it will last.
6. Dimensions (edit)... The larger the work, the larger the sheets should be.

It is worth paying attention to the manufacturer. Experienced builders are advised to give preference to products of domestic and European production. Construction products of Chinese brands often do not meet the declared characteristics.

For FSF plywood, see below.