The Influence of Cement/Wood Ratio and Cement Type on Bending Strength and Dimensional Stability of Wood-Cement Composite Panels

Abstract

This study examined the influence of decreasing cement/wood ratios from 3.0 to 1.5 at 0.5 increments on flexural and dimensional stability properties of cement-bonded composite panels. In addition, two types of Portland cement (I and III) were employed to assess if a difference exists in properties over time between the two types. Cure periods were reduced from 28 to 14 days to investigate whether significant reductions occur in these properties.Results indicate that modulus of rupture increases as the cement/wood proportion is lowered. A cement/wood ratio of 2.0 was found to demonstrate optimum bending strength. Modulus of elasticity, however, increased linearly with greater cement/wood ratios. Generally, wood-cement panels made in this study exhibited high dimensional stability when exposed to a 24-hour water soak. No significant differences were observed between the Lehigh cement types used in this study believed to be due to compound composition similarities. In most cases, reducing cure periods from 28 to 14 days had little influence on board properties

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