Evaluation of cement-bonded strawboard against alternative cement-based siding products

Cement-bonded strawboard was developed as a new siding product with desired aesthetic attributes, workability and engineering characteristics. The high extractive and wax content of straw presents important challenges to production of cement-bonded strawboard. A broad variety of straw pretreatment techniques were evaluated for enhancement of straw compatibility with hydration of cement. Accelerated processing techniques involve applying pressure for densification and heating system were used. Use of admixtures and the specifics of strawboard production techniques were also essential to successful development of cement-bonded strawboard. The complementary use of these measures contributed towards development of cement-bonded strawboards which met the standard requirements for cement-based siding products and did not exhibit any degradation upon exposure to accelerated aging effects.