LVL 1.55E
Grade
ASTM D5456 · EN 14374
1.55E = economy / poplar-plantation LVL
Pick the economy poplar-plantation grade for formwork bearers, packing crates and furniture frames; it is the cheapest option but not for critical load-bearing members.
Values for the 1.55E condition
Other LVL tempers and conditions
LVL is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at LVL.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cross-banded LVL | Specify the cross-banded layup, with some veneers laid at 90°, when the panel must carry load in both directions or resist shear and splitting: wall panels, floor decks, wide beam webs. | — | 27 | 0.7 | — | 0.13 W/m·K |
1.55EThis page Economy / poplar-plantation LVL | Pick the economy poplar-plantation grade for formwork bearers, packing crates and furniture frames; it is the cheapest option but not for critical load-bearing members. | — | 30 | 0.9 | — | 0.12 W/m·K |
2.0EDefault Standard softwood structural LVL | Use the mainstream Fb ≈ 2600 psi structural grade for beams, headers and rim boards, where it gives the best balance of stiffness and price. | — | 42 | 0.8 | — | 0.13 W/m·K |
High-stiffness Douglas fir / southern pine LVL | Choose this Douglas fir or southern pine layup at 15.2 GPa for long-span beams, truss chords and any member where deflection has to be controlled. | — | 50 | 0.8 | — | 0.14 W/m·K |
Hardwood LVL | Choose the birch or eucalyptus veneer layup when you need high strength, high screw-holding and a wear-resistant face: trailer decking, scaffold planks and heavily loaded beams. | — | 58 | 0.9 | — | 0.16 W/m·K |
What is LVL 1.55E?
LVL 1.55E is LVL in the 1.55E grade — pick the economy poplar-plantation grade for formwork bearers, packing crates and furniture frames; it is the cheapest option but not for critical load-bearing members. LVL 1.55E has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), stronger than 60% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.9% and the elastic modulus is 10.7 GPa (1.55 Msi). LVL 1.55E has a density of 0.48 g/cm³ (0.0173 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of natural material grades. 2.0E is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1.55E 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 — 50°C (122 °F), worse than 99% of natural material grades
- Low fracture toughness — 0.4 MPa·√m (0.364 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of natural material grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 77% of natural material grades
LVL 1.55E properties
Typical room-temperature values for LVL 1.55E; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are LVL reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
LVL 1.55E has a density of 0.48 g/cm³ (0.0173 lb/in³), lighter than 76% of natural material grades.
Mechanical9
LVL 1.55E has a tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi), stronger than 60% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.9% and the elastic modulus is 10.7 GPa (1.55 Msi).
Thermal5
LVL 1.55E is rated for continuous service to 50°C (122 °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 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
LVL 1.55E is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 4 kV/mm (101.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 77% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LVL 1.55E takes about 11 MJ of energy and emits 0.45 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
LVL 1.55E'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 LVL 1.55E
Is LVL easy to machine?
Works with ordinary woodworking band saws, circular saws and CNC routers; carbide or diamond tooling is recommended to resist glue-line abrasion. Drill and groove along the grain and keep cuts away from tension edges.
Can LVL be welded?
Not weldable; members are connected with structural bolts, toothed plates, self-tapping screws or structural adhesive (PUR/epoxy).
Can LVL be formed, bent or molded?
Finished members are straight and tolerate only slight bending. Curved beams must be produced on a bending form during pressing (curved LVL / glue-lam process).
What surface finishes work on LVL?
Sand, then apply primer, clear coat or waterborne paint. Exposed use requires moisture-sealed edges, preservative treatment or metal flashing.
LVL 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 |
|---|---|---|
| phenol-formaldehyde / MUF / PUR adhesivestructural grades mostly PF (weather-resistant) | 4 – 9 | 6 |
| moistureequilibrium moisture content as shipped | 6 – 12 | 9 |
| wax / preservative / fire retardantoptional depending on product | 0 – 3 | 0.5 |
| wood veneer (softwood/hardwood, 2.5–4 mmrotary-peeled veneer, laminated with grain parallel | ≥ 88 (balance) | — |
LVL 1.55E — frequently asked
What is LVL 1.55E used for?
LVL 1.55E is typically used for structural beams/headers, rim board, scaffold planks, I-joist flanges and furniture legs. In short: most uniform engineered lumber; highest strength wood billet; long straight lengths available.
What is the tensile strength of LVL 1.55E?
LVL 1.55E has a typical tensile strength of 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) — stronger than 60% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is LVL 1.55E easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 86% of natural material grades). Works with ordinary woodworking band saws, circular saws and CNC routers; carbide or diamond tooling is recommended to resist glue-line abrasion. Drill and groove along the grain and keep cuts away from tension edges.
Can LVL 1.55E be welded?
Not weldable; members are connected with structural bolts, toothed plates, self-tapping screws or structural adhesive (PUR/epoxy).
What surface finishes work on LVL 1.55E?
Sand, then apply primer, clear coat or waterborne paint. Exposed use requires moisture-sealed edges, preservative treatment or metal flashing.
Can LVL 1.55E be formed, bent or molded?
Finished members are straight and tolerate only slight bending. Curved beams must be produced on a bending form during pressing (curved LVL / glue-lam process).
What is the maximum service temperature of LVL 1.55E?
LVL 1.55E is rated for continuous use to about 50°C (122 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM D5456 — Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products — ASTM International (2021)
- EN 14374 — Timber structures: Structural laminated veneer lumber, requirements — CEN (2004)
- Wood Handbook — Wood as an Engineering Material (FPL-GTR-190) — USDA Forest Products Laboratory (2010)
- Kerto LVL S/Q product & EPD data — Metsä Wood (2023)
- Microllam LVL Specifier's Guide — Weyerhaeuser (2022)
- Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) v3 — engineered 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.