EFFECT OF CEMENT/WOOD RATIO ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CEMENT BONDED PARTICLEBOARD DENSITY AND BENDING PROPERTIES

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between density and bending properties of cement bonded particle board as influenced by cement/wood ratio. The experimental boards were made at three cement/wood ratios: 1.55/1, 2.33/1 and 3.10/1 (weight to weight basis). The observed density range at each of these cement/ wood ratios was 620 to 870,830 to 1230 and 870 to 1230 kg m^-3, respectively. The bending properties of the board including Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), Modulus of Rupture (MOR) and Work Done in bending (WD) all increased linearly with increase in density. The effect of changing cement/wood ratio was less important on MOE than on MOR and Work Done in bending. A constant board density increase in cement/wood ratio resulted in a decrease in the bending properties of the board.