Influence of particle size of wood waste on the properties of mineral composites: part 1 - cement-wood

Abstract Natural fibre composites are an alternative to absorb wood construction and demolition waste (CDW), reducing environmental impact, contributing to the development of more sustainable materials, products, and processes. Researchers have obtained promising results with composites containing different particle sizes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of particle size distribution of wood from CDW on the physical and mechanical properties of cement-wood composites. The wood particles were milled in hammer mills and characterised. Portland cement, a setting time accelerator and water were used. The composites were produced with different binder/wood ratios with the water/cement ratio fixed at 0.50 (by mass). The results of the tests in the fresh and hardened state showed that the values of unit weight of the wood particles influenced the physical properties and, consequently, the mechanical performance of the composites. The study concluded that the P1,2 particle size distribution resulted in lower hardened mass density, while the P1 particle size distribution provided higher tensile strength in flexion.