Core veneer indeed plays a crucial role in plywood manufacturing, providing structural stability and strength to the final product. Each type of core veneer has its unique characteristics and suitability for different applications. Acacia, Eucalyptus, Rubberwood, and Mixed Hardwood are all commonly used in plywood production in Vietnam due to their availability and specific properties.
1. Acacia Core Veneer
Acacia is a type of tree that is easy to cultivate and grows vigorously in Vietnam. Being cultivated extensively, the source of Acacia wood is relatively stable. While previously primarily known as a raw material for the paper industry, Acacia is now widely used in the plywood industry. Acacia veneers have lower warping tendencies compared to other mixed woods, with durable mechanical strength. Additionally, Acacia exhibits natural resistance to termites, with smooth grains ranging in color from light yellow to dark brown, making it suitable for various purposes.
(Image: Acacia core veneer)
However, Acacia also has some drawbacks such as relatively low hardness, susceptibility to surface scratches, and limited tolerance to prolonged damp conditions. Nevertheless, Acacia veneers offer excellent economic value due to their reasonable pricing, competitiveness, and comparable quality to natural wood veneers or imported woods.
2. Eucalyptus Core Veneer
Eucalyptus trees adapt well to arid, nutrient-poor, and harsh conditions, making them easy to grow. They have a short growth period, allowing for harvesting after just 5-7 years. This wood is quite hard, strong, and heavy. Eucalyptus wood has a fine grain and ranges in color from white to light yellow, making it suitable for furniture and construction projects.
(Image: Eucalyptus core veneer)
However, eucalyptus wood dries quickly and is prone to warping. It is strong and heavy, but it lacks natural resistance to pests in the heartwood and is easily attacked by insects. Therefore, to use eucalyptus wood effectively, proper treatment and preservation measures are necessary to enhance its durability and resistance to termites.
3. Rubberwood Core Veneer
Rubberwood has a thick texture and large grains, making it easy to work with, and it holds nails and screws well. The wood does not warp, has good elasticity, and is resistant to termites and insects. The color of rubberwood veneer ranges from golden yellow to gray, light to dark brown, making it very suitable for making furniture like tables and chairs. Additionally, rubberwood offers good load-bearing capacity and a smooth surface, and it easily accommodates paint or stain for various designs and styles to meet consumer needs.
However, rubberwood veneer has the disadvantage of potentially expanding due to heat or humidity, so proper preservation and treatment methods are necessary to maintain the durability and beauty of the product.
4. Mixed Hardwood Core Veneer
Mixed hardwood veneer refers to a variety of veneers peeled from woods such as eucalyptus, stytax, acacia, rubberwood, teak, pine, oak, magnolia, and many others. After peeling and cutting the sheets, workers dry and store them for use in plywood production. Manufacturers also often use this product to laminate the surface of engineered wood, creating a complete plywood product.
Each type of mixed hardwood will have different characteristics and sizes. However, mixed hardwood veneers still retain the good qualities of the wood they come from, but with the added advantage of richness and variety in species and high aesthetic appeal. The diverse range of mixed hardwoods produces many attractive veneer sheets with beautiful grain patterns and lengths, making them an appealing choice for various applications in the wood industry and construction.
Conclusion
In Vietnam plywood production, the choice of core veneer plays a crucial role in determining the quality and performance of the final product. Acacia, Eucalyptus, Rubberwood, and Mixed hardwood core veneers stand out as the top choices, each offering unique advantages suited to different applications. By understanding the characteristics and applications of these core veneers, manufacturers can produce plywood that meets the diverse needs of customers worldwide, further solidifying Vietnam’s position as a leading player in the global plywood industry.
