Okoume faced plywood is available on a core of okoume alternating with another species (described as ‘okoume combi plywood’), or with just the face in okoume on a core of 100% another species (called ‘okoume twin plywood’).
Typically, okoume is combined with lightweight poplar plywood and the resultant panel described as ‘okoume/poplar combi plywood’ or ‘okoume/poplar twin plywood’.
Due to its lower cost and lighter weight, this contruction is used extensively in the manufacture of vehicles and structures where a lightweight panel is required.
Information
Okoume plywood is available with glue bonds suitable for performance in accordance with EN314-2 Class 1 (interior & moisture resistant applications), Class 2 (covered/protected exteriors & high moisture areas) and Class 3 (fully exposed exterior applications), and can be supplied in a range of sizes.
Lloyds approved BS 1088 Marine Plywood available in all thicknesses & panel sizes
Technical details (general)
- Thickness:
- 4-40mm – thicker plywood by arrangement
- Standard sizes:
- 2500x1220mm
- 3100x1220mm
- 2500x1530mm
- 3100x1530mm
- 3100x1830mm
- (others by arrangement)
- Special sizes:
- Other sizes available, subject to agreement up to maximum 3120x2030mm
- Tolerances:
- As per EN315 (others by arrangement)
- Face grades:
- I/II, II/II, II/III, III/III
- Certification:
- Lloyds approved marine plywood (available in all panel sizes & thicknesses)
- BS 1088 marine plywood
- CTBX marine
- Specification:
- EN 636-2 – Covered exterior usage
- EN 636-3 – Fully exterior usage
- Other features:
- Available with no open defects throughout the core
- Also available with unidirectional veneers
- Can be supplied as 100% okoume throughout plywood, or with a core to any required mix of other species
- Standard thicknesses:
- 4mm =1.8 kg/m2
- 5mm =2.3 kg/m2
- 6mm =2.7 kg/m2
- 8mm =3.6 kg/m2
- 9mm =4.1 kg/m2
- 10mm =4.5 kg/m2
- 12mm =5.4 kg/m2
- 15mm =6.8 kg/m2
- 18mm =8.1 kg/m2
- 20mm =9.0 kg/m2
- 22mm =9.9 kg/m2
- 25mm =11.3 kg/m2
- 30mm =13.5 kg/m2
- 35mm =15.8 kg/m2
- 40mm =18.0 kg/m2
Quality according to BS 1088 (summary)
| Outer veneer | Inner veneer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pin knots | Max. 6/m2 of panel surface | No limit |
| Closed splits | Max 2 per metre width with a total length of 200 mm | No limit |
| Open splits | Not permitted | Max 1 split <0.5mm wide on any panel edge |
| Worm holes< 1.5mm dia | Up to 2/m2 permitted. Holes in plane of veneer not permitted | Permitted provided they do not produce voids |
| Worm holes > 1.5mm dia | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Variation in colour | Low contrast permitted if free from fungal decay | Permitted, if free from fungal decay |
| Minimum distance between edge joints on face veneers | Peeled veneers = 300mm Sliced veneers = 100 mm | No limit |
| End joints | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Compression failure | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Knots other than pin knots | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Fungal decay | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Repairs | Not permitted | Properly made and tightly fitted glued patches with their grain aligned with the grain of the veneer and having a maximum dimension of 60mm permitted up to 3/m2 |
