How is aircraft plywood primarily constructed?

Aircraft plywood is primarily constructed by gluing veneers with alternating grain directions. This design method enhances the plywood's strength and stability. By arranging the wood veneers with their grains oriented in opposite directions, the plywood effectively overcomes the weaknesses that can arise from any single direction of wood grain. This cross-lamination technique minimizes the risk of splitting and warping, making the material more resilient to various stresses encountered during flight.

The alternating grain orientation also improves the overall durability and flexibility of the plywood, which is essential for use in aviation where materials must be lightweight yet robust. Such considerations are crucial in ensuring the safety and performance of aircraft components. This construction technique is a key reason why plywood is widely used in aviation, as it meets the high-performance standards required in such demanding applications.