Definition
Manufactured wood products created by binding strands, fibers, or veneers of wood together with adhesives to form composite materials. Examples relevant to the pallet industry include oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, and laminated veneer lumber (LVL). Engineered wood products can offer consistent properties, efficient use of raw materials, and in some cases exemption from ISPM-15 if sufficiently processed. They are increasingly used in specialty pallet applications.
Related Terms
Oriented Strand Board
A type of engineered wood panel made from compressed layers of wood strands bonded with resin. OSB is used in pallet construction as a deck material, providing a smooth, solid load-bearing surface at lower cost than solid hardwood. OSB deck panels offer consistent thickness and are free of knots and voids. Since OSB is a processed wood product, pallets made entirely from OSB may be exempt from ISPM-15 requirements depending on the adhesive and manufacturing process.
Substrate
The base material from which a pallet or pallet component is manufactured. Common pallet substrates include solid wood, plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), plastic, metal, and corrugated fiberboard. The substrate selection affects a pallet's weight, strength, cost, durability, environmental profile, and regulatory requirements. Each substrate offers a distinct set of advantages and limitations for different supply chain applications.
Panel Deck
A pallet deck constructed from a single sheet of plywood, OSB, or other panel material rather than individual deck boards. Panel decks provide a smooth, continuous load-bearing surface with no gaps between boards, making them ideal for small items, bags, and products with irregular bottoms that could fall through spaced deck boards. Panel-deck pallets are common in export and display applications.
Platen
A heavy flat plate used in pallet manufacturing equipment, particularly in presses that assemble pallets or apply treatments. In molded pallet production, platens are the heated surfaces that compress raw materials into the final pallet shape. In nailing systems, platens provide a solid backing surface against which components are held during nail driving. Platen size and flatness directly affect the dimensional accuracy of finished pallets.
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