Selected Physical Properties of Eucalyptus and Pine Veneered Plywood from Mufindi, Tanzania

Abstract

Deforestation and the increasing demand for sustainable wood 
alternatives have promoted the use of plywood for structural 
applications in Tanzania; however, little is known about how veneer 
species affect its performance. This study compared eucalyptus and 
pine veneered plywood panels bonded with phenol formaldehyde 
resin. Water absorption, swelling, shrinkage, and density were 
measured according to European Norm (EN) standards. Eucalyptus 
plywood performed better across all tests. It showed lower water 
absorption (86.18% compared with 116.44%) and thickness swelling 
(1.86% compared with 3.34%). Dimensional changes were also 
smaller, with shrinkage of 0.72% in length, 0.68% in width, and 4.63% 
in thickness, whereas pine exhibited larger values. Eucalyptus had a 
higher density (633.2 kg/m³) than pine (569.6 kg/m³), enhancing its 
dimensional stability. These differences were statistically significant (p 
< 0.05). Overall, eucalyptus-veneered panels demonstrated superior 
moisture resistance and stability, suggesting greater suitability for 
structural plywood in humid environments.