Ecoply from Carter Holt Harvey - eco-friendly renewable plantation pine
Ecoply structural plywood is a layered panel made from radiata pine veneers. Ecoply represents plywood manufactured from 100% renewable plantation pine
and has inherent qualities of:
- Durability.
- Strength.
- Diversity of use.
Ecoply can be used for any application requiring strength, stiffness and durability, and may be specified for its aesthetic qualities or because of its origins as a
renewable resource. The choice depends on the application.
Ecoply structural plywoods are for general structural use and can be detailed to meet the requirements of the Building Code of Australia in relation to structure,
durability, fire, moisture and energy efficiency.
The Ecoply range includes structural plywood for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Other uses include:
- Packaging.
- Materials handling.
- Transport.
Ecoply structural plywood is manufactured from Pinus radiata veneers bonded with phenol formaldehyde A:Bond (Marine) resin. Quality and grade complies with the joint
Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2269: 2004 and PAA JAS/ANZ accreditation. The standard product range is shown in Table 2 in the Product Range section.
Moisture Content
At the time of dispatch of the plywood, the moisture content anywhere within a sheet when determined in accordance with AS 2098.1 shall be as follows:
- Sheets not exceeding 7.5 mm thick - not less than 10 percent or more than 15 percent.
- Sheets exceeding 7.5mm thick - not less than 8 percent or more than 15 percent.
Radiata pine
Radiata pine is a plantation grown, medium density softwood. It is harvested to provide wood for plywood manufacture. The crop matures on a sustainable basis to
yield millable trees at about 25 to 30 years of age.
Veneer and Knots
The veneer peeled from the logs may contain characteristics such as knots or splits. Knots have a significant effect on the tensile and bending strength of veneer,
however, most applications of plywood in bending are governed by the stiffness or flexibility rather than strength. Knots have only a small influence on stiffness
and so knotty plywood can be used for many applications. Knots can be removed and replaced with wood or synthetic patches to enhance appearance. The size of knots
and other characteristics is controlled by grading into different qualities.
Resins
The glues used to bond the veneers together are synthetic phenolic A:Bond (Marine) resins which are set and cured by heat and pressure under controlled conditions
to form a strong and durable bond.
Performance and Durability
Wood is strongest when stressed parallel to the grain and weakest across the grain, so the layup or arrangement of veneers in the panel determines the properties.
Because of its cross-banded construction, plywood possesses significant strength and stiffness both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the face grain.
The durability of Ecoply structural plywood will depend on the application. Detailing, treatment and installation in accordance with Carter Holt Harvey installation
instructions can be used to attain durabilities in excess of most building needs. Normally, indefinite durability can be achieved with untreated plywood in dry,
interior exposure protected from termites or with H3 treated plywood painted for exterior use in accordance with Carter Holt Harvey installation instructions. For
internal environments subject to high humidity, condensation, or termites H3 treated plywood should be used. Unpainted H3 treated panels in exterior applications
can be expected to last in excess of 15 years. For further information, refer to the Carter Holt Harvey "Durability Statement" 95/1/10.
Aesthetics
Ecoply can have decorative or weather protection functions as well as structural performance.
For further information contact:
Carter Holt Harvey
phone: 1300 658 828
fax: 02 9468 5890
web: www.chhpanels.com.au
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