The effect of wood:cement ratio and accelerators on the properties of wood-wool cement board made from Acacia mangium

Wood-wool cement boards (WWCBs) were produced using Acacia mangium and ordinary Portland cement as binder. The effects on WWCB strength properties of three wood:cement ratios and three types of cement-setting accelerators were examined. The accelerators were aluminium sulfate [Al-2(SO4)(3)], calcium chloride (CaCl2), and sodium silicate (Na2SiO3). Al-2(SO4)(3) was the most effective; CaCl2 imparted better properties at higher wood:cement ratios; and Na2SiO3 did not significantly improve the strength of boards. The mechanical properties and thickness-swelling of boards increased at higher wood:cement ratios. The practical implications of these findings for the production of WWCB from A. mangium are discussed.