Plywood is made ...
What is Plywood Made Of?
Plywood is a versatile engineered wood product. It is constructed from thin layers of wood veneer, known as plies. These veneers are sourced from a wide variety of trees, including both hardwoods and softwoods. The choice of wood depends on the intended application, desired strength, appearance, and cost of the final plywood panel.
📝 Detailed Analysis of the Options
(a) From general timber
This is the correct answer. Plywood is not restricted to a single type of wood. It is manufactured from veneers of many different timber species. Common examples include teak, rosewood, shisham, mango, fir, pine, and spruce. Therefore, stating that it is made from "general timber" is the most accurate and comprehensive description.
(b) From fiber of bamboo
This is incorrect. While "bamboo plywood" exists, it's a separate product made from a type of grass, not wood. Standard plywood is explicitly a wood-based product made from timber veneers.
(c) Only from teak wood
This is incorrect. Teak is a high-quality, durable hardwood often used for premium, marine-grade plywood due to its natural oils and resistance to rot. However, it is far from the *only* wood used. As noted in the original source explanation, woods like rosewood, toon, shisham, and walnut are also used. The word "Only" makes this statement false.
(d) From sheets of asbestos
This is incorrect. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral. It has no relation to wood or the manufacturing of plywood and is known for its heat resistance and health hazards.
📊 Common Materials for Engineered Boards
| Board Type | Primary Material | Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood | Veneers from various timbers | Cross-grained layers glued under pressure |
| Particle Board | Wood chips, sawdust, shavings | Particles mixed with resin and pressed |
| MDF | Fine wood fibers | Fibers mixed with wax/resin and pressed |
| Bamboo Plywood | Strips or fibers of bamboo grass | Strips layered and glued |
💡 Study Tips
- Plywood = Many Woods: Associate plywood with variety. It's an engineered solution that can use many different types of timber to achieve specific properties.
- Beware of Absolutes: In multiple-choice questions, be cautious of words like "only," "always," or "never." Option (c) is a classic example where "Only from teak wood" is too restrictive to be correct.
- Know Your Materials: Differentiate between wood veneers (for plywood), wood fibers (for MDF), and wood chips (for particle board).