Physico-Mechanical Properties of Cement-Bonded Particle Boards of Bambusa vulgaris and Gmelina arborea Fibres

This study investigated the effect of pre-treatment and particle geometry/stratification on the physical and mechanical properties of cement-bonded particle boards (CBPBs). 6 mm thick homogeneous cement-bonded particle boards were made from Gmelina arborea roxb. sawdust and bambusa vulgaris shard. fibres with type 1 Portland cement. The CBPBs were manufactured at four particle geometry/stratification levels and three pre-treatment levels. The CBPB was manufactured with a cement wood ratio of 3:1, board density of 1500 kg/m3, board size of 350×350×6 mm and a pressing pressure of 1.23 N/mm2. The CBPBs were tested for modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA). The MOR obtained for each of the 12 factor combinations in this experiment ranged from 2.02 to 11.27 N/mm2 while MOE value ranged from 253.88 to 4942.60 N/mm2. The mean percentage for water absorption (WA) values ranged from 8.78% to 35.66% while mean TS values ranged from 0.16% to 15.71%. Stronger and stiffer boards were produced using the sawdust/fibre/sawdust geometry stratification. Calcium chloride pre-treatment increased the mechanical properties of the boards, while Al2(SO4)3 improved their physical properties. There were significant differences between particle geometry and pre-treatment on both physical and mechanical properties of cement-bonded particle board (p<0.05).