Do you know what is flexible plywood and how do you make flexible plywood bent? Flexible plywood is a type of plywood that can be easily bent into a variety of shapes and contours, making it a versatile material for both construction and decorative applications.

There are different types of flexible plywood available in the market, but in this article, we will focus on the products offered by ROCPLEX, specifically the cross-grain barrel bend and long-grain column bend.

What Is Flexible Plywood? How Many Kinds Of Flexible Plywood Are There?

Flexible plywood is a type of plywood that is specially designed to be more pliable than traditional plywood. It is made by cutting thin veneers of wood and gluing them together with the grain orientation of adjacent layers at right angles to each other. This construction allows for flexibility in both the long-grain and cross-grain directions.

There are different types of flexible plywood available in the market. However, ROCPLEX offers two types of flexible plywood: cross-grain barrel bend and long-grain column bend.

Cross-grain barrel bend plywood:

Cross-grain barrel bend plywood is made by laminating thin veneers of wood with the grain direction perpendicular to the face and back veneers. This construction allows the plywood to bend around a tight radius in a barrel shape, making it ideal for applications such as curved furniture and cabinetry.

Long grain column bend plywood:

Long grain column bend plywood is made by laminating thin veneers of wood with the grain direction parallel to the face and back veneers. This construction allows the plywood to bend around a long radius in a column shape, making it ideal for applications such as curved columns and arches.

How Do You Make Flexible Plywood Bent And How To Use It Better?

Flexible plywood is relatively easy to bend, and the bending process is straightforward. The following steps can be followed to make flexible plywood bent:

Determine the bend radius:

The bend radius is the minimum radius of the curve that the plywood can be bent to without breaking. To determine the bend radius, the plywood should be tested by bending it gradually around a form until it begins to crack. This will give an idea of the minimum radius that can be achieved without damage.

Soak the plywood:

Once the bend radius has been determined, the plywood should be soaked in water for a few hours. This will help to soften the wood fibers and make them more pliable.

Clamp the plywood to the form:

After soaking, the plywood should be clamped to a form that matches the desired shape. The form should be slightly smaller than the desired shape, as the plywood will spring back slightly after bending.

Apply heat:

The plywood can be heated to make it more pliable. This can be done using a heat gun or by placing the plywood in a hot box. The heat should be applied evenly to avoid burning the wood.

Bend the plywood:

Once the plywood is hot and pliable, it can be bent around the form. The plywood should be held in place until it cools and dries. This will help to set the shape of the plywood.

To use flexible plywood better, it is important to consider the following:

• Use the right tools:

When working with flexible plywood, it is important to use the right tools. This includes clamps, forms, and a heat gun. Using the wrong tools can result in damage to the plywood.

• Choose the right thickness:

The thickness of the plywood will determine how easily it can be bent. Thinner plywood is more pliable than thicker plywood and can be bent around tighter radii.

•  Sand the edges:

When bending plywood, the edges can become rough and splintered. Sanding the edges before bending can help to prevent this.

•  Allow for springback:

When bending plywood, it is important to allow for springback. This is the tendency of the plywood to return slightly to its original shape after bending, and it can affect the final shape of the product. To account for this, the form used for bending should be slightly smaller than the desired final shape.

• Use appropriate finishing techniques:

Once the plywood is bent into the desired shape, appropriate finishing techniques should be used to protect and enhance the appearance of the plywood. This can include staining, painting, or applying a clear coat.

How To Creatively Use Flexible Plywood As A Decorative Interior Arrangement?

Flexible plywood is a versatile material that can be creatively used for decorative interior arrangements. At ROCPLEX, many customers use these kinds of flexible plywood to make the layout of commercial houses or villas more creative. Here are some ideas:

Curved walls:

Flexible plywood can be used to create curved walls, which can add a unique architectural element to any interior space.

Curved partitions:

Flexible plywood can be used to create curved partitions that can separate different areas of a room while adding a decorative element.

Curved ceilings:

Flexible plywood can be used to create curved ceilings, which can add a dramatic effect to any room.

Curved doors:

Flexible plywood can be used to create curved doors, which can add a unique design element to any interior space.

What Is The Minimum Bend Radius For Flexible Plywood?

The minimum bend radius for ROCPLEX flexible plywood is 12 inches. However, the plywood may be able to flex to smaller radii with significant force. It is important to note that all component parts should be manually flexed to achieve maximum flexibility.

ROCPLEX offers custom design services, which allow customers to specify the exact size and shape of the plywood they need. This makes it possible to achieve smaller bend radii than the standard minimum of 12 inches.

Final words:

Flexible plywood is a versatile material that can be used for both construction and decorative applications. There are different types of flexible plywood available in the market, but ROCPLEX offers two types: cross-grain barrel bend and long-grain column bend.

Flexible plywood can be easily bent by soaking it in water and heating it before clamping it to a form. It is important to use the right tools and choose the right thickness of plywood for the desired bend radius.

Flexible plywood can be creatively used for decorative interior arrangements, such as curved furniture, walls, partitions, ceilings, and doors. The minimum bend radius for ROCPLEX flexible plywood is 12 inches, but custom designs can achieve smaller radii with significant force.