Aircraft plywood provides enhanced strength, reliability, and durability, making it a great construction material for various aircraft components. At Thomes North America, we are the only Canadian importer of KOSKIPLY, otherwise known as craft plywood or aircraft plywood. Consisting of ultra-thin veneers of baltic birch, our aircraft plywood meets Germanischer Lloyd standards and offers quality features such as flexibility, excellent strength, ease of working, and lightweight.
Aircraft Birch Plywood Explained
Our aircraft plywood is one of the highest grades of durable plywood. It is composed of multiple thin layers of birch glued together with phenolic glue using high heat and pressure to ensure a firm bond. At Thomes North America, our baltic birch plywood is available in various grades; it is strong and durable, yet lightweight – perfect for airplane components.
The manufacturing process and materials used in aircraft plywood make it stronger and lighter than standard plywood while still being stable and reliable. The layers in aircraft-grade plywood are of higher quality than other pressed woods, and they are glued together using a fireproof and waterproof adhesive. The resulting product is excellent at repelling moisture and water when properly used and sealed. It also has a very smooth surface, unlike the rough and bumpy exterior of regular plywood.
Aircraft Birch Plywood Benefits
To meet the strict requirements of the aircraft industry, aircraft plywood has exceptional strength and durability, while also being lightweight and flexible. These combined features provide multiple benefits for use across various applications. Key advantages of aircraft plywood include:
- Strength and Durability. Aircraft plywood is made up of many thin layers of high-quality wood species, like birch, glued together with a fireproof and waterproof adhesive. This construction makes it stronger and more durable than standard plywood and also results in excellent structural integrity.
- Lightweight Qualities. Despite its strength, aircraft plywood maintains the lightweight properties crucial for aircraft construction, where weight is a significant factor.
- Moisture Resistance. Aircraft plywood is capable of resisting moisture and water damage for a longer period of time compared to other types of plywood. However, it’s important to note that although it’s great at repelling moisture when properly sealed and used, it’s not 100% waterproof.
- Smooth Surface. Unlike regular plywood, which has a rough and bumpy surface, aircraft plywood sheets have a very smooth surface, making them easier to paint and varnish.
Aircraft Birch Plywood Applicationshi
The strength, durability, and lightweight properties of aircraft plywood make it an excellent choice for a variety of applications. Common applications of aircraft birch plywood include:
- Aircraft Wing Ribs
- Wing Leading Edges
- Floorboards
- Instrument Panels
- Wing Panel Skins
Aircraft Plywood from Thomes
Although aircraft plywood has some similarities to conventional plywood, it features various qualities that make it the preferred choice for aircraft applications. Its strength, lightness, and durability make it suitable for everything from aircraft floorboards to instrument panels, wing panel skins, and more.
At Thomes North America, we provide high-quality aircraft plywood in a range of thicknesses and custom sizes to meet your unique requirements. To learn more about our aircraft birch plywood and other plywood products, contact Thomes North America today.
