Use of tree pruning wastes for manufacturing of wood reinforced cement composites

Tree pruning wastes from six woody species, namely Acacia salicina, Conocarpus erectus, Ficus altissima, Leucaena glauca, Pithecellobium dulce and Tamarix aphylla, were used to manufacture high-quality wood reinforced cement composites (WRCCs). Hydrations experiments were conducted to screen the compatibility of the selected tree pruning wastes with cement. Additionally, various particle pretreatments and chemical additives were applied to enhance the compatibility of wood with cement. The best treatment for each species was selected and used to manufacture the WRCCs. The panels were produced under specific manufacturing variables and the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of the panels were determined. The results indicated that both board density and wood/cement (W/C) ratio had significant effects on the properties of WRCCs. With few exceptions, a W/C ratio of 1/2 and either 1200 kg m−3 or 1300 kg m−3 produced the optimal strength properties. The tree pruning wastes are suitable for use as raw materials in the manufacturing of WRCCs after pre-treatment of the wood particles with either cold or hot water and with addition 3% of CaCl2, Al2(SO4)3 or MgCl2. Therefore, these wastes could be used as an alternative wood source for WRCCs.