Wood-Cement Board Reinforced with Steel Nets and Woven Hemp Yarns: Physical and Mechanical Properties

The aim of this study was to improve physical and mechanical properties of wood-cement boards and to determine optimum content of cement in the formulation. Hence, boards were reinforced with steel nets and woven hemp yarns adding cement to the dry mass of wood in the ratio of 2.5:1, 2.75:1 and 3:1. Physical and mechanical properties of wood-cement boards, such as water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) after 2 and 24 hour immersion in water, bending strength (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bond strength (IB), were determined according to EN Standards. Results showed that reinforcement of boards with steel nets and 3 parts of cement added to the dry mass of wood improved all physical and mechanical properties. Properties of these boards showed a similar trend to the values of EN 634-2:2007 standard (specifications of cement bonded particleboards), except for modulus of elasticity, which was lower than minimum requirement.