Mca Plywood: Good Choice For Aluminum Boats?

MCA-Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) plywood is a much less corrosive alternative to ACQ-treated plywood, which is known to corrode aluminum. MCA plywood is approved for direct contact with aluminum and is recommended for use in aluminum boats. However, it is important to note that MCA plywood should not be used in areas that are always wet, as this can still lead to corrosion over time. Coating the plywood with polyurethane or epoxy is also recommended to seal the wood and provide additional protection. Overall, MCA plywood is a safe and suitable option for use in aluminum boats, but proper care and maintenance are necessary to ensure its longevity.

MCA plywood is safe for use in aluminium boats

MCA plywood is safe to use in aluminium boats. MCA stands for Micronized Copper Azole, a chemical compound used to treat plywood that is approved for direct contact with aluminium.

MCA plywood is a much less corrosive alternative to ACQ-treated plywood, which contains corrosive qualities that are not designed to be used in direct contact with aluminium. ACQ stands for Alkaline Copper Quaternary, the chemical salt used to treat the wood that will dissolve aluminium over time, especially if it gets wet.

MCA plywood is widely used in boat deck modifications. It is recommended to purchase any product that utilises the micronized copper treatment and to check with the folks at the lumberyard to ask them what treatment was used on their product. Most of the industry has moved to this newer chemical, but one of the big-box retailers still uses the old stuff.

MCA-treated plywood is also effective against rot, decay, and termite infestation, ultimately designed to make all pressure-treated lumber more durable.

MCA plywood is less corrosive than ACQ plywood

MCA plywood is a much safer option for use in aluminum boats than ACQ plywood. This is because the chemicals used to treat MCA plywood are less corrosive to metal than those used in ACQ plywood.

Aluminum boat owners should be cautious when using treated wood in their boats, as the chemicals used in the treatment process can corrode the aluminum over time. The copper in the treatment leaches out of the wood and reacts with the unprotected metal, causing corrosion. This can lead to structural damage and even holes in the boat.

MCA-treated wood, on the other hand, is a much less corrosive option. It is approved for direct contact with aluminum and does not require the use of special fasteners or hardware. The treatment process for MCA wood is different from typical wood preservative treatments. The copper in MCA-treated wood is present in microscopic particles suspended in water, rather than being dissolved chemically in an organic solvent. This makes the copper less corrosive to fasteners and hardware.

In addition, MCA-treated wood offers other advantages over ACQ-treated wood. It is less prone to off-gassing and keeps more of its natural color. It is also suitable for any residential or commercial application where the wood will be exposed to outdoor elements, such as decks and freshwater docks.

Therefore, if you are considering using treated wood in your aluminum boat, MCA plywood is a much safer and more suitable option than ACQ plywood due to its lower corrosiveness and approval for direct contact with aluminum.

MCA plywood is lighter in colour than ACQ plywood

The use of microscopic copper particles in MCA plywood also has other advantages. For example, the smaller particle size means that MCA-treated wood is less corrosive to fasteners and hardware than ACQ plywood. This means that MCA-treated wood can come into contact with aluminium without causing corrosion or discolouration.

MCA plywood is also a good choice for any residential or commercial application where the wood will be exposed to outdoor elements. It can also be used for projects such as decks and freshwater docks.

Overall, while MCA plywood may be lighter in colour than ACQ plywood, it also offers several other benefits that make it a more suitable choice for certain applications.

MCA plywood is more expensive than non-treated plywood

MCA-treated plywood is more expensive than non-treated plywood due to its treatment process and the materials used. The Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) treatment is a relatively new process designed to eliminate the corrosive qualities of the previously used chemical, alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ). The copper in MCA is ground into microscopic particles, which are then forced into the wood under high pressure. This process ensures that the preservative will hold up to exterior environmental factors much better than other types of treated wood.

The MCA treatment is also more expensive because it contains higher levels of copper than ACQ, which makes the wood more costly to produce. The increased copper content provides greater protection against rot, fungal decay, and termites. MCA-treated wood is also less corrosive to fasteners and can come into contact with aluminum without causing damage, which makes it a good choice for residential or commercial projects where the wood will be exposed to outdoor elements.

In addition, the MCA treatment process is more complex and involves the use of specialized equipment, which further contributes to the higher cost of MCA-treated plywood. Overall, the benefits of MCA-treated plywood, including its durability, corrosion resistance, and suitability for various applications, make it a popular choice despite its higher price compared to non-treated plywood.

MCA plywood is heavier than non-treated plywood

The active ingredients used in the treatment process, such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or micronized copper azole (MCA), also contribute to the weight of the wood. These compounds react with the wood fibers, making the wood heavier and more resistant to deterioration.

Another factor that adds to the weight of MCA plywood is the retention level of the preservative. Retention level refers to the amount of preservative that remains in the wood after the treatment process. A higher retention level means more preservative has been retained, increasing the weight of the wood.

Furthermore, the type of lumber used can also affect the weight. For example, certain species of lumber, such as Douglas fir or spruce-pine-fir, may require incising to allow the preservative to penetrate more deeply and uniformly. This process can result in a reduction in bending strength and stiffness, leading to slightly heavier lumber.

Overall, the treatment process, active ingredients, retention levels, and lumber type all contribute to the increased weight of MCA plywood compared to non-treated plywood.

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