Difference between FSF and FC plywood.

Among the most popular types of plywood are FSF and FC. What are the features of each of them?

What is FSF plywood?

Plywood of the FSF type is produced from birch, other deciduous and coniferous types of wood. It is characterized by high resistance to moisture, therefore it can be used to decorate premises from the street side.

Plywood of the FSF type is also characterized by high strength. It is successfully used as a material for the manufacture of frames, elements of house roofs, interior partitions. Its use is widespread in the production of billboards.

The abbreviation FSF means plywood with phenol-formaldehyde resin adhesive. With the help of it, layers of wood veneer are glued together - the main material from which plywood is made.

Thus, the chemical composition of FSF plywood contains phenol. Therefore, its use as a material for interior decoration is not recommended due to the fact that this substance is harmful to the human body.

The glue used in the production of FSF plywood is usually reddish in color. Therefore, on the sheet cut the material is "striped", light veneer layers are combined with dark glue layers.

What is FC plywood?

Plywood type FC can also be made from birch, other hardwoods and conifers. It is used mainly for interior decoration, it is less resistant to water, but it stably retains its basic operational properties in conditions of high air humidity.

The abbreviation FC stands for “plywood with urea glue”. It glues layers of wood veneer. There is no phenol in the chemical composition of FC plywood. This predetermines the possibility of its use as a material for interior decoration.

Plywood type FC is also used as a material for the manufacture of laminate, various types of furniture. In some cases, it can be used in the production of boxes, packaging. Plywood of the corresponding type is characterized by a relatively low cost.

The glue used in the production of FC plywood, as a rule, has a color close to the shades of veneer. It turns out that the material on the sheet cut is light and uniform.

Comparison

There is, therefore, not one difference between FSF plywood and FC, and all of them can be classified as significant.

First, the materials under consideration differ in chemical composition. Plywood of the first type contains phenol, and the material that is classified as FA does not contain this substance.

Secondly, FSF and FC plywood also differ in purpose. The material of the first type is used mainly for the external decoration of the premises, the second for the interior. This is due to the undesirability of placing plywood, which contains phenol, indoors, as well as the fact that the material of the FSF type is more resistant to moisture.

Thirdly, it is possible to trace the differences between FSF and FC plywood in appearance. The first type of material on the cut is multi-colored (you can observe light veneer stripes and dark - glue), the second - one-color, light.

Fourth, FSF plywood is stronger than FC. Therefore, it can be used for the installation of building elements that carry a tangible load. Plywood FC is problematic to use in such a way.

Having determined what is the difference between FSF and FC plywood, we reflect the conclusions in the table.

Table

Plywood FSF Plywood FC
What do they have in common?
Both types of plywood are made from the same materials - birch, other hardwood, softwood
What is the difference between them?
Made with phenol-free adhesiveMade with phenol-free adhesive
Applicable mainly for exterior decoration, including for the manufacture of elements of buildings that bear heavy loadsUsed mainly for interior decoration, furniture, laminate, boxes, packaging
More durableLess durable
Less safe for the human bodyMore safe for the human body
Characterized by high resistance to moistureLess resistant to moisture
On a sheet cut - multi-colored, layers of light veneer combined with dark adhesiveOn sheet cut - one color, light (layers of veneer and glue - the same color)
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