Physico-mechanical properties and decay resistance of Cupressus spp. cement-bonded particleboards

Control and hot water treated particles of cypress (Cupressus spp.) were used to manufacture cement-bonded particleboards (CBPB). Three replications were carried out for each treatment, totaling six single layered boards. Physical and mechanical properties of the boards were evaluated according to ASTM D 1037-96a [Annual Book of ASTM Standards, vols. 04-09. Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials--ASTM, ASTM D 1037-96a, 1998] standard. The wood of cypress showed suitability as raw material for the manufacture of CBPB. All the properties of cypress CBPB were higher than the Bison HZ type building boards used as reference. The light color and easy wood processing of cypress wood are favorable parameters for panels manufacturing. The results corroborate those reported for CBPB using pine, rubberwood, acacia, babassu, and eucalyptus particles. The CBPB were also submitted to fungi decay resistance test according to ASTM D 2017-81 [Annual Book of ASTM Standards, vols. 04-09. Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials--ASTM, 1994-e1. ASTM D 2017-81, p. 324-8] standard and exposed to the attack of Gloeophyllum trabeum (Persoon ex Fries) Murr. and Trametes versicolor (Linnaeus ex Fries) Pilát. Twelve specimens were tested for each treatment and the average weight loss was determined after 12 weeks of exposure. Laboratory tests showed that there was no measurable wood degradation (weight loss). Fungi mycelium did not even cover completely the surface of the specimens. CBPB when exposed to both brown- and white-rot fungi, rather than weight loss, showed weight gains ranging from 2% to 4%. Therefore, CBPB is technically suitable for exterior use where both moisture and favorable conditions for fungi development are present.