Light-weight wood–magnesium oxychloride cement composite building products made by extrusion

Magnesium oxychloride (MOC) cement is a type of non-hydraulic cement with yellowish color in nature and low alkalinity exhibiting many other properties superior to Portland Cement (PC). In this study, light-weight wood–MOC cement composite building products, with sawdust and/or perlite as aggregate, were made through extrusion. Physical, nailing and mechanical properties of these composites were investigated. It was found that the specific dry densities of the wood–MOC cement composites were close to 1.0 and they were nailable like hard natural wood. Their flexural strength decreased as temperature increased. By replacing 50% sawdust in weight by perlite, the composite exhibited less die swell and better performance in resisting high temperature.

► Wood–magnesium oxychloride (MOC) cement composites made by extrusion technique.
► Wood–MOC cement composites have yellowish color and specific density close to 1.0.
► Wood–MOC cement composites developed has good nailing ability like natural wood.
► A full-scale wood-like door made of extruded wood–MOC cement composites.
► Physical and mechanical properties of the wood–MOC cement composites investigated.