Fiber-Reinforced Plywood: Increased Performance with Less Raw Material

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced plywood is a composite material that combines the natural strength and rigidity of plywood with the added durability and resilience provided by reinforcing fibers. This type of plywood is designed to offer improved characteristics over standard plywood, including enhanced strength, stiffness, resistance to impact and moisture, and environmental degradation. By integrating reinforcing fibers, such as glass, carbon, or natural fibers (like flax, bamboo, or hemp) into or onto plywood, manufacturers can create a material that is better suited for applications where traditional plywood might fall short or when a decrease in product weight or savings in wood raw material are necessary. This report reviews the current progress in fiber-reinforced plywood in the context of plywood as a construction material to better understand the potential gains in plywood applications, mechanical parameters, and material savings. It is found that a simple and cost-effective procedure of fiber reinforcement allows for substantial improvements in plywood’s mechanical properties, typically to the extent of 10–40%. It is suggested that the wider adoption of fiber-reinforced plywood, especially in load- and impact-bearing applications, would greatly contribute to enhanced durability and longevity of the material while also allowing for more sustainable use of raw wood material.