Plymax is a composite material. It consists of a thin sheet of metal, such as aluminium, copper, or duralumin, that is bonded to a thicker sheet of plywood, giving it strength and rigidity at a relatively low weight.

Plymax was introduced during the 1920s, quickly spreading throughout Europe and the world by the 1930s. The material has been extensively used in the aviation industry; various military aircraft throughout the 1930s and 1940s made use of the material. Plymax was also adopted by the automotive industry, being used on the bodies of several cars, such as the 1931 Triumph Super 9 and the articulated body of the Trojan Tasker. It has also found use within the construction industry for various large fixtures, typically partitions and doors, as well as by furniture manufacturers for various home furnishings.

History

Plymax first emerged during the early 1920s, one of the first compositions was a copper-faced plywood, manufactured by Luterma.

According to Venesta, the typical metals used in Plymax are steel and aluminium; however, alternatives have included copper, bronze, stainless steel and others. Various aircraft would adopt the material for portions of their design; in one case, the interior floor of the Handley Page Halifax was composed of Plymax.

Plymax was reportedly once a popular material for furniture use, although its use has somewhat diminished following the arrival of new types of processed woods.

References

  • Plywood: Material of the Modern World
  • From cockpit to domestic interior: the Great War and the architecture of Wells Coates