CLT CL32h
Grade
ASTM ANSI/APA PRG 320 · EN 16351
CL32h = spruce CLT, homogeneous C30/C32 lamellas
Pick when spans or wall loads govern and machine-graded high-stiffness lamellas justify the price premium.
Values for the CL32h condition
Other CLT tempers and conditions
CLT is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at CLT.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRG 320 Grade E1 | North American stock layup: machine-stress-rated Spruce-Pine-Fir, widest availability from US/Canadian plants. | — | 15 | 0.8 | — | 0.12 W/m·K |
PRG 320 Grade V2 | Choose where higher density, better rolling shear and screw/connector capacity are needed (heavy floors, connections). | — | 15 | 0.9 | — | 0.13 W/m·K |
CL24hDefault Spruce CLT, homogeneous C24 lamellas | European default: PEFC/FSC spruce-fir lamellas graded C24, PUR-bonded, for floors, walls and roofs. | — | 16 | 0.9 | — | 0.12 W/m·K |
CL32hThis page Spruce CLT, homogeneous C30/C32 lamellas | Pick when spans or wall loads govern and machine-graded high-stiffness lamellas justify the price premium. | — | 20 | 0.9 | — | 0.12 W/m·K |
Hardwood CLT | Specialty high-capacity panels for slender slabs, exposed architectural use or heavy point loads; costlier and heavier. | — | 25 | 1.1 | — | 0.17 W/m·K |
What is CLT CL32h?
CLT CL32h is CLT in the CL32h grade — pick when spans or wall loads govern and machine-graded high-stiffness lamellas justify the price premium. CLT CL32h has a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), weaker than 51% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.9% and the elastic modulus is 13 GPa (1.89 Msi). CLT CL32h has a density of 0.48 g/cm³ (0.0173 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of natural material grades. CL24h is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CL32h is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 86% of natural material grades
- Lightweight — 0.48 g/cm³ (0.0173 lb/in³), better than 76% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 55°C (131 °F), worse than 96% of natural material grades
CLT CL32h properties
Typical room-temperature values for CLT CL32h; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CLT reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
CLT CL32h has a density of 0.48 g/cm³ (0.0173 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
CLT CL32h has a tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi), weaker than 51% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.9% and the elastic modulus is 13 GPa (1.89 Msi).
Thermal5
CLT CL32h is rated for continuous service to 55°C (131 °F). It conducts heat at 0.12 W/m·K (0.0693 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 70% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
CLT CL32h is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 4 kV/mm (101.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), better than 53% of natural material grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of CLT CL32h takes about 9 MJ of energy and emits 0.42 kg of CO₂ — less than 65% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 2%.
Manufacturability2
CLT CL32h's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 86% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CLT CL32h
Is CLT easy to machine?
CNC-routed and drilled easily with carbide spiral tooling and strong dust extraction; openings, service chases and connector pockets are cut in the plant to ±1–2 mm.
Can CLT be welded?
Not weldable — panels are joined by self-tapping screws, splines/half-lap panel joints, glued-in rods and steel brackets.
Can CLT be formed, bent or molded?
Formed only during production by cold-pressing crossed lamella layers (0.6–1.0 MPa, PUR); curved panels need pre-bent lamellas, no post-forming.
What surface finishes work on CLT?
Sand/plane for visual-quality faces, then UV/water-based clear coat, stain or fire-retardant coating; end grain and exposed faces must be sealed against moisture and detailed for service class 1–2.
CLT chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| cellulosesoftwood lamella, oven-dry basis | 40 – 45 | 42 |
| hemicellulose | 24 – 30 | 27 |
| lignin | 25 – 31 | 28 |
| extractives + ashresins, terpenes, minerals | 1 – 4 | 2.5 |
| structural adhesive (PUR or MUF)EN 15425 / EN 301 bond lines | 0.3 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| moisture (as delivered)12 ± 3 % MC per EN 16351 | 9 – 15 | 12 |
CLT CL32h — frequently asked
What is CLT CL32h used for?
CLT CL32h is typically used for mass timber walls/floors, multi-story buildings, prefabricated modules, roof panels and bridges. In short: two-way mass-timber plate; highest panel machinability rating; prefabricated to millimetre tolerance.
What is the tensile strength of CLT CL32h?
CLT CL32h has a typical tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) — weaker than 51% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is CLT CL32h easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 86% of natural material grades). CNC-routed and drilled easily with carbide spiral tooling and strong dust extraction; openings, service chases and connector pockets are cut in the plant to ±1–2 mm.
Can CLT CL32h be welded?
Not weldable — panels are joined by self-tapping screws, splines/half-lap panel joints, glued-in rods and steel brackets.
What surface finishes work on CLT CL32h?
Sand/plane for visual-quality faces, then UV/water-based clear coat, stain or fire-retardant coating; end grain and exposed faces must be sealed against moisture and detailed for service class 1–2.
Can CLT CL32h be formed, bent or molded?
Formed only during production by cold-pressing crossed lamella layers (0.6–1.0 MPa, PUR); curved panels need pre-bent lamellas, no post-forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of CLT CL32h?
CLT CL32h is rated for continuous use to about 55°C (131 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 16351 Timber structures — Cross laminated timber — Requirements — CEN (2021)
- ANSI/APA PRG 320 Standard for Performance-Rated Cross-Laminated Timber — APA – The Engineered Wood Association (2019)
- EN 338 Structural timber — Strength classes — CEN (2016)
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-190) — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2010)
- CLT Handbook (US Edition) — FPInnovations / Binational Softwood Lumber Council (2013)
- CLT panel technical data / ETA declarations (KLH, Stora Enso, Binderholz) — producers (2023)
- Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) v3 — cross laminated timber — Circular Ecology (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.