Each building in the construction industry needs diverse scaffolding and formwork methods. It is particularly well suited in preparing molds for pouring the concrete in structures, ceilings, and flooring of buildings. It may also employ in the automobile sector as truck and container built environment, shipbuilding, and furnishings. This article will talk about the plywood and formwork plywood alternatives.
Why Formwork Plywood?
It is particularly well suited to molds for pouring concrete into structures. Also, Plywood formwork is a low-cost, long-lasting, and environmentally friendly technology for producing a high-quality concrete cast surface. Plywood has a natural ability to absorb humidity, giving it a sponge-like appearance. However, people may use the formwork plywood alternatives.
> Read more: 20 Types Of Plywood And Grades Used In Interior And Exterior
Formwork Plywood Alternatives
Formwork is a crucial element to concrete construction, so selecting the correct formwork is essential to any job. Wildfires, shortages of labor, and supply issue chains are making plywood harder to get and is now more expensive. So, here are the various formwork plywood alternatives that are less expensive, endure longer, and may be used hundreds of times.
1- Wood Polymer Formwork
In the building industry, commercially produced wood-cement panels are utilized in permanent formwork. The fracture and flexural characteristics of natural fibers reinforced epoxy polymer concrete have improved.
The flexural modulus of wood-plastic formwork is lower than plywood formwork for construction. However, by increasing the thickness, the shortcomings can be improved. They have a complicated architecture characterized by multi-scale porosity and are often very porous with a low apparent density and a low apparent density.
The wood-plastic composite template is used 20-30 times and has a significant residual value when considering the number of cycles and residual value.
Theyâre ideal for warm, humid locations where termites and deterioration are significant issues. So, the wood polymer formwork becomes an excellent option to resist moisture. Itâs cheaper than other formwork plywood alternatives and more comfortable to work with.
2- Fiber-reinforced Boards Formwork
Fiber-reinforced boards are a novel structural and technical technique for the economical manufacturing of curved freeform formworks and single or double-curved textile-reinforced concrete parts.
The method is based on a multi-layered, flexible formwork system made of glass fiberâreinforced plastic. This technique employs lightweight, high-strength fabric sheets that are meant to adapt to the fluidity of concrete and produce unique architectural shapes.
> Read more: Understanding Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Its Production Process
The three-point bending tensile strength of the created textile-reinforced concrete was extremely high. In the longitudinal direction, it has better flexural strength than lumber.
Moreover, it is typically stronger than steel and aluminum. As a result, this formwork utilizes less concrete than rigid systems, resulting in cost savings and increased yield output.
3- ABS Plastic Formwork
Alternative formwork systems, such as ABS plastic formwork, can be a viable and cost-effective one to traditional formwork systems.
Because the formwork is comprised of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic, it is lightweight while maintaining a high load-bearing capability.
Plywood can only be reused 3 to 5 times; however, ABS Plastic formwork may be used 100 times. As a result, Plastic Formwork is less expensive.
Plastic is waterproof by its nature. Itâs impervious to corrosion and rust, making it ideal for use underground and in wet environments.
People are in love with the fact that the product is low in mass and is considerably easier to handle and carry on-site. As a result, no heavy lifting equipment is required.
> Read more: Understanding Different Types Of Wood And Their Uses
4- Quik-Tubes
Quik-Tubes are rigid fiber construction forms that do not require wood forms. Deck footings, goal posts, fence posts, mailboxes, and lighting are all applications.
Multiple layers of high-quality fiber fused with an adhesive and a unique moisture-resistant coating that aids uniform curing. You have to use up to three feet below grade and up to three feet above grade. Moreover, it is unnecessary to remove it because it degrades with time.
5- Reinforced Polyurethane Foam boards
Polyurethane Board is a type of board that is created from leftover polyurethane foam and used commonly as a formwork replacement.
The board has a low thermal conductivity (0.076 W/mK) and is damp and waterproof. Furthermore, fiberglass layers give strength to the high-density boards.
Because it has a significant proportion (at least 90%) of non-connected sealed small cells saturated with inert gas, polyurethane foam is effective as an insulator.
Above all, the boards are naturally rot-resistant, ensuring a long-lasting framework for the construction method. They may also be a great substitute for plywood.
6- MDO Plywood
MDO stands for medium density overlay, which is significantly better/expensive than standard film faced plywoodâs surface film. The ability of MDO plywood to cover defects gives concrete a high-quality finish.
It reduces the amount of wood grain that transfers to the concrete surface. A medium-density overlay produces a uniform color and a smoother texture, making it perfect for spraying or finishing.
7- Foam 3D Printing (F3DP) Formwork
Formwork investigates how foam 3D printing (F3DP) is utilized in casting the concrete to create distinctive designs for useful stay-in-place or temporary and recyclable formwork.
The mineral composite components that result could save up to 70% of concrete. This is one of those formwork plywood alternatives which are more lightweight and have better insulating characteristics.
> Read more: Characteristics Of Plywood â VINAWOOD
8- Aluminum Formwork
Aluminum For the construction of low and high-rise flats and structures, formwork is commonly employed. It is a relatively new technique that saves time, money, and improves the efficiency of a building.
This strategy may be used effectively by workers to accelerate construction while also ensuring quality control and longevity.
Aluminum Formwork provides a form finish, eliminates the need for exterior and internal plaster, and allows for direct painting with minimum skim coat, all of which add to cost benefits in the long run.
9- HDO Forming Panels for Formwork
The faces of HDO overlay panels are bonded with resin-impregnated cellulose fiber sheets and can be single- or double-sided.
HDO forming panels feature a higher resin content in the overlay, making their surfaces hard and more water and impact-resistant than MDO-forming panels.
While using HDO Polyform, you may expect more applications and a better finish on the concrete surface. The concrete finish created by an MDO surface will be softer and less slick than HDO panels.
Conclusion â Formwork Plywood Alternatives
Formwork is a type of âmoldâ used in concrete buildings to pour concrete. Thus, when selecting the ideal material for the formwork plywood alternatives, keep these qualities in your mind:
- This must be cost-effective, readily available, and reusable.
- The formwork has a smooth, flat surface and follows a precise placement line.
- When released to the environment, the material will not get deformed.
You will handle any problem easily if you are sure about choosing the perfect material for the formwork plywood alternatives.
