Voluntary Product Standard
`
`PS 1-95
`Construction and Industrial
`Plywood
`
`U.S. Department of Commerce
`Technology Administration
`National Institute of Standards and Technology
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 1
`
`

`

`Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-95
`
`Construction and Industrial Plywood
`Supersedes Product Standard PS 1-83
`
`Secretariat:
`
`Standards Management Program
`Office of Standards Services
`National Institute of Standards and Technology
`Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001
`
`March 1996
`
`U.S. Department of Commerce
`Ronald H. Brown, Secretary
`
`Technology Administration
`Mary L. Good, Under Secretary for Technology
`
`National Institute of Standards and Technology
`Arati Prabhakar, Director
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 2
`
`

`

`Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-95
`National Institute of Standards and Technology
`Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Prod. Stand. 1-95, 48 pages (March 1996)
`CODEN: NPSDED
`
`U.S. Government Printing Office
`Washington: 1996
`
`For sale by:
`Superintendent of Documents
`U.S. Government Printing Office
`Washington, DC 20402-9325
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 3
`
`

`

`Abstract
`
`This Standard pertains to construction and
`industrial plywood. It provides requirements for
`the principal types and grades, and it covers
`wood species, veneer grading, glue bonds, panel
`construction and workmanship, dimensions and
`tolerances, grade marking, moisture content, and
`packing of plywood intended for construction
`and industrial uses.
`
`It includes test methods to determine product
`compliance and a glossary of trade terms and
`definitions. A quality certification program and
`information regarding reinspecting practices are
`also provided.
`
`The Standard, a revision of Voluntary Product
`Standard PS 1-83, Construction and Industrial
`Plywood, was developed by the Standing
`Committee for Voluntary Product Standard PS
`1-83 in accordance with procedures of the U.S.
`Department of Commerce.
`
`Key Words
`
`certification of plywood, construction and
`industrial plywood, construction plywood, grade
`marking of plywood, grades of plywood,
`plywood, plywood product standard, plywood
`standard, plywood veneer.
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 4
`
`

`

`Voluntary Product Standards
`
`voluntary. NIST has no regulatory power in the
`enforcement of their provisions; however, since
`the standards represent a consensus of all
`interested groups, their provisions are likely to
`become established as trade customs. In
`addition, when a Voluntary Product standard is
`made a part of a legal document, such as a sales
`contract or code, compliance with the standard
`is enforceable.
`
`The benefits derived from Voluntary Product
`Standards are in direct proportion to their
`general recognition and actual use. Producers
`and distributors whose products meet the
`requirements of a Voluntary Product Standard
`may refer to the standard in advertising and on
`labels to promote greater public understanding
`for confidence in their products. At times,
`purchasers may order products conforming to
`the requirements of a Voluntary Product
`Standard.
`
`For copies of the Voluntary Product Standards
`procedures or for more information concerning
`the development and use of these standards,
`contact the Office of Standards Services,
`National Institute of Standards and Technology,
`Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.
`
`Development of Voluntary Product
`Standards
`Voluntary Product Standards are developed
`under procedures published by the Department
`of Commerce in Part 10, Title 15, of the Code of
`Federal Regulations. The purpose of these
`standards is to establish nationally recognized
`requirements for products and to provide all
`concerned interests with a basis for common
`understanding of the characteristics of the
`products. The National Institute of Standards
`and Technology (NIST) administers the
`Voluntary Product Standards Program on a
`reimbursable basis.
`
`Role of NIST
`The role of NIST in the establishment of
`Voluntary Product Standards is to act as an
`unbiased coordinator in their development,
`provide editorial assistance in their preparation,
`supply such assistance and review as is required
`to assure their technical soundness, and to seek
`satisfactory adjustment of valid points of
`disagreement. NIST also determines compliance
`with the criteria of the Department’s procedures,
`provides secretarial functions for each committee
`appointed under the procedures, and publishes
`the standards as public documents.
`
`Producers, distributors, users, consumers, and
`other interested groups contribute to the
`establishment of Voluntary Product Standards by
`initiating and participating in their development,
`providing technical or other counsel as
`appropriate, promoting the use of and support
`for the standards, and assisting in keeping the
`standards current with respect to advancing
`technology and marketing practices.
`
`Use of Voluntary Product Standards
`The use of Voluntary Product Standards is
`
`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 5
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`

`

`Table of Contents
`
`Section
`
`Page
`
`1. Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1
`
`2. Terminology ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
`
`3. Reference Publications.................................................................................................................................................... 4
`
`4. Classification.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
`4.1 General.................................................................................................................................................................... 4
`4.2 Exposure durability................................................................................................................................................ 4
`4.2.1 Interior plywood........................................................................................................................................... 4
`4.2.2 Exterior plywood.......................................................................................................................................... 5
`4.3 Grade....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
`
`5. Requirements ................................................................................................................................................................... 5
`5.1 General.................................................................................................................................................................... 5
`5.2 Wood species.......................................................................................................................................................... 5
`5.2.1 Species groups.............................................................................................................................................. 5
`5.2.2 Species for faces and backs........................................................................................................................ 6
`5.2.3 Species for inner plies................................................................................................................................. 6
`5.2.4 Species classified by testing ....................................................................................................................... 6
`5.3 Synthetic repairs..................................................................................................................................................... 6
`5.3.1 Synthetic fillers ............................................................................................................................................ 6
`5.3.2 Synthetic shims, patches, and plugs........................................................................................................... 6
`5.4 Grade description of veneers ................................................................................................................................ 6
`5.4.1 Grade N veneer (intended for natural finish) ........................................................................................... 6
`5.4.2 Grade A veneer (suitable for painting)...................................................................................................... 7
`5.4.3 Grade B veneer ............................................................................................................................................ 7
`5.4.4 Grade C veneer ............................................................................................................................................ 8
`5.4.5 Grade C Plugged veneer ............................................................................................................................. 8
`5.4.6 Grade D veneer............................................................................................................................................ 8
`5.5 Veneers and layers ................................................................................................................................................. 9
`5.5.1 Veneer thickness........................................................................................................................................... 9
`5.5.2 Parallel laminated layers ............................................................................................................................. 10
`5.5.3 Scarfed veneers ............................................................................................................................................ 10
`5.6 Panel grades............................................................................................................................................................ 10
`5.6.1 Marine ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
`5.6.2 Decorative panels......................................................................................................................................... 10
`5.6.3 Underlayment, C-C Plugged....................................................................................................................... 12
`5.6.4 B-B concrete form panels ........................................................................................................................... 12
`5.6.5 Structural panels........................................................................................................................................... 12
`5.6.6 Interior bonded with exterior glue (Exposure 1)...................................................................................... 12
`5.6.7 Special Exterior............................................................................................................................................ 12
`5.6.8 Overlays ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
`5.7 Adhesive bond requirements for a panel or a lot............................................................................................... 13
`5.7.1 Interior bonded with interior glue .............................................................................................................. 13
`5.7.2 Interior bonded with intermediate glue...................................................................................................... 13
`
`v
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
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`5.7.3 Interior bonded with exterior glue (Exposure 1)...................................................................................... 14
`5.7.4 Exterior.......................................................................................................................................................... 14
`5.8 Panel constructions and workmanship................................................................................................................. 15
`5.8.1 Crossband gaps and center gaps ................................................................................................................ 17
`5.8.2 Veneer requirements..................................................................................................................................... 17
`5.8.3 Sanded panels............................................................................................................................................... 17
`5.8.4 Unsanded and touch-sanded panels............................................................................................................ 17
`5.8.5 Span ratings for unsanded and touch-sanded panels................................................................................ 19
`5.8.6 Performance testing qualification requirements for span-rated panels ................................................... 19
`5.8.7 Performance testing qualification requirements for other than span-rated panels................................. 22
`5.9 Scarf and finger jointed panels............................................................................................................................. 24
`5.9.1 Strength requirements (Interior and Exterior) for scarf and finger jointed panels................................ 24
`5.9.2 Scarf and finger joint durability for Interior bonded with interior glue ................................................ 24
`5.9.3 Scarf joint durability for Exterior plywood and Interior bonded with exterior glue (Exposure 1)
`or intermediate glue..................................................................................................................................... 25
`5.9.4 Finger joint durability for Exterior plywood and Interior bonded with exterior glue (Exposure 1)
`or intermediate glue..................................................................................................................................... 25
`5.10 Dimensional tolerances and squareness of panels ............................................................................................ 25
`5.10.1 Size tolerances .......................................................................................................................................... 25
`5.10.2 Thickness tolerances................................................................................................................................. 25
`5.10.3 Squareness and straightness..................................................................................................................... 25
`5.11 Moisture content................................................................................................................................................... 25
`5.12 Loading or packing.............................................................................................................................................. 25
`
`6. Specimen Preparation and Testing................................................................................................................................. 25
`6.1 Bond durability....................................................................................................................................................... 25
`6.1.1 General.......................................................................................................................................................... 25
`6.1.2 Specimen preparation (see Appendix A for sampling for reinspection)................................................ 25
`6.1.3 Test for Interior plywood bonded with interior glue................................................................................ 26
`6.1.4 Tests for Interior plywood bonded with intermediate glue ..................................................................... 26
`6.1.5 Tests for Exterior plywood and Interior bonded with exterior glue (Exposure 1) ............................... 27
`6.1.6 Test for determination of moisture content (oven-drying method)......................................................... 29
`6.1.7 Scarf and finger joint tests.......................................................................................................................... 29
`6.1.8 Mold test....................................................................................................................................................... 32
`6.1.9 Bacteria test .................................................................................................................................................. 32
`6.2 Structural performance........................................................................................................................................... 33
`6.2.1 Tests for performance under concentrated static and impact loads........................................................ 33
`6.2.2 Test for performance under uniform loads................................................................................................ 33
`6.2.3 Test for panel bending................................................................................................................................. 34
`6.2.4 Test for planar shear strength ..................................................................................................................... 35
`6.2.5 Test for shear-through-the-thickness strength............................................................................................ 35
`
`7. Grademarking and Certification..................................................................................................................................... 36
`7.1 Certification of shipments ..................................................................................................................................... 36
`7.2 Qualified inspection and testing agency.............................................................................................................. 36
`7.3 Panel marking......................................................................................................................................................... 36
`7.4 Voiding marks......................................................................................................................................................... 37
`
`8. Effective date................................................................................................................................................................... 37
`
`Appendix A. Reinspection Practices.................................................................................................................................. 38
`
`vi
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 7
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`

`A1. General.................................................................................................................................................................... 38
`A2. Request for reinspection........................................................................................................................................ 38
`A3. Responsibility of the buyer................................................................................................................................... 38
`A4. Responsibility of the seller.................................................................................................................................... 38
`A5. Cost and assistance ................................................................................................................................................ 38
`A6. Reinspection procedures and settlement .............................................................................................................. 38
`A6.1 Condition of plywood.................................................................................................................................. 38
`A6.2 Sampling for panel grade, size, and thickness reinspections .................................................................. 38
`A6.3 Plywood panel grade, size, and thickness reinspections.......................................................................... 38
`A6.4 Sampling for glue bond quality reinspections .......................................................................................... 39
`A6.5 Plywood glue bond quality reinspections.................................................................................................. 39
`
`Appendix B. Maintenance, History, and Current Edition of Standard........................................................................... 40
`B1. Standing Committee............................................................................................................................................... 40
`B2. History of project................................................................................................................................................... 40
`B3. Current edition........................................................................................................................................................ 40
`
`vii
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 8
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`

`

`Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-95
`Construction and Industrial Plywood
`
`Effective September 7, 1995. (See section 8.)
`
`(This Standard, which was initiated by APA – The Engineered Wood Association [formerly the American Plywood
`Association], has been developed under the Procedures for the Development of Voluntary Product Standards of the
`U.S. Department of Commerce as a revision of PS 1-83, Construction and Industrial Plywood.)
`
`1. Scope
`
`1.1 This Voluntary Product Standard establishes require-
`ments for the principal types and grades of construction
`and industrial plywood and provides a basis for common
`understanding among producers, distributors, and users
`of the product.
`
`2. Terminology
`
`2.1 Back –
`
`Back of a plywood panel – The side of a panel that is
`of lower veneer quality on any panel whose outer plies
`(front and back) are of different veneer grades.
`
`1.2 This Standard covers the wood species, veneer grad-
`ing, glue bonds, panel construction and workmanship,
`dimensions and tolerances, marking, moisture content,
`and packing of plywood intended for construction and
`industrial uses.
`
`Back ply of a plywood panel – The outer veneer on
`the back side of a panel.
`
`2.2 Borer holes – Voids made by wood-boring insects,
`such as grubs or worms.
`
`1.3 Included in this Standard are test methods to deter-
`mine compliance, and a glossary of trade terms and def-
`initions. A quality certification program is provided
`whereby qualified testing agencies inspect, sample, and
`test products identified as complying with this Standard.
`Information on reinspecting practices is provided in
`Appendix A; and information on the maintenance, his-
`tory, and current edition of the Standard is provided in
`Appendix B.
`
`1.4 This Voluntary Product Standard incorporates the
`International System of Units (SI) as well as U.S. cus-
`tomary units of measurement. In conversion of U.S. cus-
`tomary units where exact placement is not an issue, such
`as nail spacing, approximate conversions to SI units are
`made to yield more easily recognizable numbers. In crit-
`ical matters, such as panel thickness, more precise con-
`versions to SI units are made. For nominal U.S.
`customary units, actual dimensions in SI units are given.
`The values given in SI units are the standard. The val-
`ues in parentheses are for information only.
`
`1.5 Advisory notes in this Standard and Appendix B
`shall not be considered mandatory.
`
`2.3 Broken grain – A (leafing, shelling, grain separa-
`tion) separation on veneer surface between annual rings.
`
`2.4 Butt joint – A straight joint in which the interface
`is perpendicular to the panel face. An end butt joint is
`perpendicular to the grain.
`
`2.5 Centers – Inner layers whose grain direction runs
`parallel to that of the outer plies. Some centers consist
`of parallel laminated plies.
`
`2.6 Center gap – See 2.12.
`
`2.7 Check – A lengthwise separation of wood fibers,
`usually extending across the rings of annual growth,
`caused chiefly by strains produced in seasoning.
`
`2.8 Class I, II – Term used to identify different species
`group combinations of B-B concrete form panels. (See
`5.6.4.)
`
`2.9 Construction (panel construction) – Term refer-
`ring to detailed manner in which veneers are assembled
`and/or thickness of veneer used, e.g., “4-ply/3-layer con-
`struction,” “2.5 mm (1/10-inch) face and back,” etc.
`
`1
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
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`2.10 Core – See 2.11.
`
`2.16 Face –
`
`2.11 Crossband – Inner layers whose grain direction
`runs perpendicular to that of the outer plies. Some cross-
`bands consist of parallel laminated plies.
`
`2.12 Crossband gap and center gap – An open joint
`extending through or partially through a panel, which
`results when crossband or center veneers are not tightly
`butted.
`
`Face of the plywood panel – The side of a panel that
`is of higher veneer quality on any panel whose outer
`plies (front and back) are of different veneer grades;
`either side of a panel where the grading rules draw no
`distinction between outer plies.
`
`Face ply of a panel – The outer veneer on the face of
`a panel.
`
`2.13 Defects, open – Irregularities such as splits, open
`joints, knotholes, or loose knots, that interrupt the smooth
`continuity of the veneer.
`
`2.14 Delamination – A visible separation between
`plies that normally receive glue at their interface and are
`firmly contacted in the pressing operation. Wood char-
`acteristics, such as checking, leafing, splitting, and bro-
`ken grain, are not to be construed as delamination.
`
`2.17 Finger joint – A term indicating the method by
`which panels or sections of panels have been joined to
`create longer lengths or widths by means of a well-
`bonded series of sloped scarf cuts resembling fingers.
`
`2.18 Grade name – Term used to identify panels hav-
`ing special characteristics and/or
`requirements as
`described under 5.6, such as Marine, Decorative, and
`Underlayment.
`
`2.14.1 For purpose of reinspection, areas coinciding
`with open knotholes, pitch pockets, splits, and gaps and
`other voids or characteristics permitted in the panel grade
`are not considered in evaluating ply separation of Interior
`type panels bonded with interior or intermediate glue.
`
`2.19 Group – Term used to classify species covered by
`this Standard. Species covered by this Standard are clas-
`sified as Groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. See table 1 for list-
`ing of species in individual groups and the reference in
`section 4 for product use information.
`
`2.14.2 In evaluating Exposure 1 panels, delamination in
`any glueline is not to exceed 19.4 cm2 (3 in2) except
`where directly attributable to defects permitted in the
`grade as follows:
`
`Delamination associated with:
`
`(a) Knots and knotholes – not to exceed the size of the
`defect plus a surrounding band not wider than 19 mm
`(3/4 inch).
`
`(b) All other forms of permissible defects – not to
`exceed the size of the defect.
`
`2.14.3 For purposes of evaluation of Exterior panels for
`ply separation, the area coinciding with the grade char-
`acteristics noted in 2.14.1 is considered, and a panel is
`considered delaminated if visible ply separation at a sin-
`gle glueline in such area exceeds 19.4 cm2 (3 in2).
`
`2.15 Edge splits – Wedge-shaped openings in the inner
`plies caused by splitting of the veneer before pressing.
`
`2.20 Heartwood – Nonactive core of a log generally
`distinguishable from the outer portion (sapwood) by its
`darker color.
`
`2.21 Inner plies – Plies other than face or back plies in
`a panel construction. Sub-face, sub-back, crossband and
`center are classed as inner plies.
`
`2.22 Jointed inner plies – Crossband and center
`veneer that has had edges machine-squared to permit
`tightest possible layup.
`
`2.23 Knot – Natural characteristic of wood that occurs
`where a branch base is embedded in the trunk of a tree.
`Generally the size of a knot is distinguishable by (1) a
`difference in color of limbwood and surrounding trunk-
`wood; (2) an abrupt change in growth ring width between
`knot and bordering trunkwood; and (3) a diameter of cir-
`cular or oval shape described by points where checks on
`the face of a knot that extend radially from its center to
`its side experience an abrupt change in direction.
`
`2.24 Knotholes – Voids produced by the dropping of knots
`from the wood in which they were originally embedded.
`
`2
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`Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Exhibit 1045
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,197
`Page 10
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`2.25 Lap – A condition where the veneers are so placed
`that one piece overlaps the other.
`
`2.26 Layer – A single veneer ply or two or more plies
`laminated with grain direction parallel. Two or more
`plies laminated with grain direction parallel is a “paral-
`lel laminated layer.”
`
`2.27 Lot – Any number of panels considered as a sin-
`gle group for evaluating conformance to this Standard.
`
`2.28 Moisture content – The weight of the water in
`wood expressed as a percent of the weight of the oven-
`dry wood. (See 6.1.6.)
`
`2.29 Nominal thickness – Full “designated” thickness,
`subject to acceptable tolerances. For example, nominal
`2.5 mm (1/10-inch) veneer is 2.5 mm (0.10 inch) thick;
`nominal 12.7 mm (1/2-inch) thick panel is 12.7 mm
`(0.50 inch) thick. Also, commercial size designation,
`subject to acceptable tolerances.
`
`2.30 Patches – Inserts of sound wood or synthetic mate-
`rial in veneers or panels for replacing defects. “Boat”
`patches are oval-shaped with sides tapering in each direc-
`tion to a point or to a small rounded end; “Router”
`patches have parallel sides and rounded ends. “Sled”
`patches are rectangular with feathered ends.
`
`2.31 Pitch pocket – A well-defined opening between
`rings of annual growth, usually containing, or which has
`contained, pitch, either solid or liquid.
`
`2.32 Pitch streak – A localized accumulation of resin
`in coniferous woods which permeates the cells forming
`resin soaks, patches, or streaks.
`
`2.33 Plugs – Sound wood of various shapes, including
`among others, circular and dog-bone, for replacing
`defective portions of veneers. Also synthetic plugs used
`to fill openings and provide a smooth, level, durable sur-
`face. Plugs usually are held in veneer by friction until
`veneers are bonded into plywood.
`
`2.34 Plugged inner plies – (Also referred to as solid
`inner plies.) – Refers to C Plugged crossband and cen-
`ters and additional limitations, as given in 5.8.1.
`
`2.35 Ply – A single veneer lamina in a glued plywood
`panel. (See also 2.26.)
`
`2.36 Plywood – Plywood is a flat panel built up of
`sheets of veneer called plies, united under pressure by a
`bonding agent to create a panel with an adhesive bond
`between plies as strong as or stronger than, the wood.
`Plywood is constructed of an odd number of layers with
`grain of adjacent layers perpendicular. Layers consist of
`a single ply or two or more plies laminated with paral-
`lel grain direction. Outer layers and all odd numbered
`layers generally have the grain direction oriented paral-
`lel to the long dimension of the panel. The layers with
`alternating grain direction equalize strains, reduce split-
`ting, and minimize dimensional change and warping of
`the panel.
`
`2.37 Repair – Any patch, plug, or shim.
`
`2.38 Rough grain – Grain characteristics which prevent
`sanding to a smooth surface.
`
`2.39 Sapwood – The living wood of lighter color occur-
`ring in the outer portion of a log. Sometimes referred to
`as “sap.”
`
`2.40 Scarfed joint – A term indicating the method by
`which panels or veneer, or sections of panels or veneer,
`have been joined to create longer lengths or widths by
`means of a well-bonded, sloped cut.
`
`2.41 Shim – A long, narrow repair of wood or suitable
`synthetic not more than 4.8 mm (3/16 inch) wide.
`
`2.42 Shop-cutting panel – A panel which has been
`rejected as not conforming to a standard grade because
`of deficiencies, other than adhesive bond quality, which
`prevent it from meeting the