When it comes to shipping containers, the flooring underneath is the unsung hero. The inner flooring of containers must survive as demanding conditions as the exterior, which is designed to tolerate severe weather and heavy handling. It guarantees the safe transportation of commodities around the world, supports large loads, and is resistant to environmental deterioration. Plywood, with a surface layer composed of hardy hardwoods like apitong or keruing, is one of the most reliable materials for this use.
This blog explores the conventional sizes, main uses, advantages for the logistics sector, and the reasons plywood with Keruing or Apitong surfaces is the best option for container flooring.
What is Apitong or Keruing Surface Plywood?
Layers (or "plies") of wood veneer are bonded together to create plywood, a multipurpose engineered wood product. Plywood for container flooring is usually reinforced with a surface layer composed of either apitong or keruing, two hardwood varieties renowned for their durability and strength.
The heavy, dense hardwood keruing, also called dipterocarpus, is indigenous to Southeast Asia. It is prized for having a high level of durability, which makes it perfect for demanding uses like container flooring.
Keruing and Apitong (scientifically known as Dipterocarpus grandiflorus) have a lot in common. It is also indigenous to Southeast Asia and is renowned for its strength, resilience to dampness, and capacity to support large weights.
When paired with plywood‘s multilayer composition, these hardwood floors provide a very robust and long-lasting flooring option for shipping containers.
Container Flooring Standard Size
Standard shipping container flooring usually adheres to a standard specification to guarantee industry compatibility and performance. Container flooring often comes in the following sizes and constructions:
28 mm (about 1.1 inches) in thickness
Although it varies, standard panels are usually 1,160 mm (45.7 inches) wide. broad
Length: 2,440 mm, or roughly 8 feet or 96 inches
These measurements guarantee that the flooring can be put in place safely within typical containers, which are typically 20 to 40 feet long. The steel cross elements of the container‘s frame are fastened to the plywood panels, which are connected together.
Typical Applications for Plywood with an Apitong or Keruing Surface
Although plywood with a Keruing or Apitong surface is mostly used for shipping container floors, its uses are not limited to freight transportation. Here are a few of the main applications:
Standard Shipping Containers: The most popular use is in dry storage containers, where the plywood flooring needs to be able to hold a variety of cargo, including fragile items and large machines.
Refrigerated Containers: The flooring of "reefer" or refrigerated containers must be able to support the weight of the contents as well as the temperature fluctuations brought on by refrigeration. Because of its strength and resistance to moisture, plywood with a Keruing or Apitong surface is frequently utilized.
Plywood flooring with Keruing or Apitong surfaces is frequently utilized in flat rack and open-top containers, which are specialty containers used for moving large or irregularly shaped products. Heavy loads, such as those from huge machinery or construction equipment, must be supported by the flooring.
Specialized Transport Automobiles: In addition to containers, this kind of plywood is utilized for the floors of trucks and trailers that transport large loads, where wear resistance and durability are essential.
Benefits of Keruing or Apitong Surfaced Plywood
For container flooring, plywood with a surface layer of Keruing or Apitong is the preferred material because to its many benefits:
1. Outstanding Sturdiness and Power
Because of their extreme density and hardness, keruing and apipong offer superior resistance to impact, large loads, and continuous wear. They are therefore perfect for flooring that has to withstand the demands of international shipping, where heavy gear is routinely used to load and unload containers.
2. Resistance to Weather and Moisture
Apitong and Keruing are both naturally resistant to dampness. When applied as a plywood surface layer, it helps keep the flooring from rotting or warping, even in the event of moisture intrusion or exposure to humid conditions during transportation.
3. Resistance to Slippage
A certain amount of slide resistance is added by the organic roughness of hardwood surfaces from Keruing and Apitong, which is essential for worker safety when loading and unloading. This lowers the possibility of cargo shifting or mishaps when transferring items within the container.
4. Economical
Plywood with a Keruing or Apitong surface is a more affordable option than full hardwood flooring. The surface layer of hardwood adds longevity without the cost of solid Keruing or Apitong planks, while the multilayer plywood structure offers the required strength.
5. Sustainable Choices
In order to reduce the environmental impact of container flooring, many producers source Keruing and Apitong from sustainable plantations. Furthermore, plywood utilizes less hardwood than alternatives made of solid wood, which lowers the demand for these valuable resources.
Important Quality Factors to Take Into Account
There are a number of quality considerations to make while choosing or examining plywood for container flooring that has Keruing or Apitong surfaces:
1. Strength of Adhesive Bond
Extreme conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, wetness, and continuous heavy loads, must be tolerated by the adhesive used to join the plywood layers. For the plywood layers to stay firmly bonded over time, premium marine-grade adhesives are usually utilized.
2. Hardness and Density
One important determinant of the flooring‘s longevity is the density of Keruing or Apitong hardwood. Denser woods are more resilient to wear and impact, which is crucial for flooring in containers that will be used frequently.
3. Content of Moisture
For the plywood to avoid delamination, warping, or swelling, its moisture content should be regulated. When exposed to different environmental conditions, excessive moisture in the wood might cause long-term problems with the flooring‘s stability.
4. Finish of Surface
In order to ensure that cargo can be loaded and unloaded safely and without harm, a smooth, level surface is essential. Uneven or rough surfaces might cause problems during transportation and even raise the possibility of cargo moving.
5. Adherence to Industry Standards
Verify that the plywood satisfies global requirements, such as ISO 1496-1, which establishes requirements for container floors. This ensures the flooring has undergone testing and been given the all-clear to be used safely in shipping containers.
The Bottom Line: There‘s a reason why plywood with an Apitong or Keruing surface layer is a standard in the industry. It is the ideal material for container flooring because of its strength, resilience to moisture, and longevity, which will guarantee that the floors can withstand the rigors of international shipping while retaining their integrity over time.
Selecting the appropriate flooring can have a significant impact on the safety, effectiveness, and long-term cost savings of sectors that depend on shipping containers. You‘re investing in a flooring solution that meets all requirements for strength, sustainability, and dependability when you choose plywood reinforced by Keruing or Apitong.
Strong and environmentally friendly materials are becoming more and more necessary as global trade grows. More than merely a floor, plywood with an Apitong or Keruing surface serves as the cornerstone of a sustainable shipping industry.
