Durability and microstructure analysis of CO2-cured cement-bonded wood particleboard

Dry-processed cement-based wood composites are reconstituted wood products with desirable longevity, fire resistance and life cycle cost. In this study, the effects of accelerated aging on the performance of CO2-cured cement-bonded wood particleboards were investigated. The accelerated aging conditions considered simulated natural aging phenomena. Repeated wetting–drying and freezing–thawing cycles led to increased stiffness and somewhat reduced toughness. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses indicated that aging effects led to increased CaCO3 and decreased Ca(OH)2 contents in CO2-cured cementitious composites. Mercury intrusion porosimetry test results indicated that CO2 curing reduced the capillary pore volume in both unaged and aged boards.