The General-Purpose Structural Form Face
F17 Formply is structural formwork plywood: a hardwood-veneer plywood core finished with a high-density overlay (HDO) of phenolic resin-impregnated film, usually black, on both faces, and bonded with a durable Type A (exterior) phenolic bond. The smooth, water- and chemical-resistant film is what makes it formply — it lets the set concrete release cleanly, protects the plywood for re-use and produces a quality off-form concrete finish. Edges are typically sealed to keep moisture out of the panel. The 'F17' is the panel’s stress grade — a measure of its bending strength — and F17 is the common, general-purpose formply grade suited to the majority of formwork. Made to AS 6669 (Plywood — Formwork), and often carrying an AS/NZS 2269 structural plywood certification as well, F17 Formply is specified by a combination of surface class, stress grade and bond, such as 'Class 2 F17 A-Bond'. With good site and formwork practice and the right surface class, a quality off-form finish can be achieved.
Why Choose F17 Formply
Technical Specifications
Product
Structural formwork plywood (formply)
Standard
AS 6669 (often also AS/NZS 2269 structural plywood)
Stress grade
F17 (general-purpose; F = bending strength in MPa)
Face
High-density phenolic film overlay (HDO), both faces; usually black
Core
Hardwood veneers
Bond
Type A (exterior) phenolic bond
Surface class
Per AS 3610 (e.g. Class 2 off-form with good practice)
Common sizes
2400 x 1200 mm and 1800 x 1200 mm; 17 mm typical
Typical uses
Slabs, walls, columns, beams, footings, precast, tilt-up
Where F17 Formply Performs Best
Suspended-slab and deck formwork.
Wall, column and beam forms.
Footing and foundation formwork.
Precast and tilt-up panel construction.
General-purpose formwork requiring a clean off-form finish.
Non-structural uses too, thanks to the durable A-bond glue line.
Working With and Re-Using F17 Formply
F17 Formply is cut and fixed with standard tools; always seal freshly cut edges with a suitable edge sealer to stop moisture entering the panel, which is the main cause of edge swelling and shortened life. Support the sheets at the spacing the formwork design requires for the load and the finish you want, fix securely, and follow safe-work and formwork design requirements for the system as a whole. To get the most pours from each sheet, clean the face down after stripping, avoid impact and gouging, apply a suitable form-release agent as recommended, re-seal any damaged edges, and store sheets flat, supported and protected from the weather. Inspect sheets before re-use and retire any that are delaminating or badly damaged.
Get Your Free QuoteF17 Formply Standards & Specifying
F17 Formply is made to AS 6669 (Plywood — Formwork) and is typically specified as a combination of surface class, stress grade and bond — for example 'Class 2 F17 A-Bond'. The surface class relates to the off-form concrete finish under AS 3610, the F17 grade is the bending strength, and the A-bond is the durable exterior phenolic glue line. Many F17 panels also carry an AS/NZS 2269 structural plywood certification. Panel thickness and support spacing for a given load and finish should follow the formwork design; the F-grade describes strength, not the layout for a particular pour. If you need a finer off-form finish or heavier-duty performance, ask our team about higher surface classes or the F22 and F27 grades.
Get Your Free QuoteOrdering F17 Formply from JVS Timber
The easiest way to order F17 Formply is to tell us what your formwork design and schedule call for — the grade, size, thickness and quantities — and let our team match the product to it and confirm current stock. Because we supply the whole formwork range, you can also coordinate the rest of the package in the same order: the form face (F17, F22 or F27 formply) and the supporting structure (Formwork LVL E12 bearers and joists) together, from one supplier, with a single point of contact and delivery Australia-wide. Ordering everything together helps keep your formwork job moving — fewer suppliers to chase, coordinated delivery to site, and a team that can advise on grades, sizes and quantities so you order the right amount with minimal waste. If you are unsure which grade or size best suits your loads, re-use and finish, just describe the job and we will recommend the most cost-effective option.
Get Your Free QuoteSustainable & Ethically Sourced
F17 Formply is designed for re-use, and getting many pours from each sheet is both economical and sustainable. JVS Timber supplies it made to AS 6669 and compliant with Australian industry standards. Sealing edges, cleaning down and storing sheets well to extend their working life is the most sustainable way to use formply.
Get Your Free QuoteF17 Formply Sizes & Availability
JVS Timber supplies F17 Formply in the common sheet sizes — typically 2400 x 1200 mm and 1800 x 1200 mm — in 17 mm and other thicknesses. Whether you need a few sheets for a single pour or bulk formply for a large project, our team can confirm current stock, sizes, surface class and competitive trade pricing, delivered Australia-wide.
Get Your Free QuoteF17 Formply — Frequently Asked Questions
F17 is the general-purpose structural formply grade, used for the majority of concrete formwork — suspended slabs, walls, columns, beams, footings, precast and tilt-up panels — wherever a strong, re-usable form face and a clean off-form finish are needed.