1. Introduction
Wood–cement composites have been used in the fabrication of
construction materials for more than 60 years. They have the potential
to provide a wide range of products for building applications
by using different forms of wood-based materials. The development
and application of wood–cement composites attest to their
attraction as building materials (Okino et al., 2004).
Wood–wool cement board (WWCB) is a new generation of
wood–cement composites, made from wood–wool (ribbonlike particle
called “excelsior”), Portland cement and small amounts of
additives. Wood–wool is the reinforcing agent, cement is the
binder, and additives are the catalyst. These ribbons are coated with
cement and pressed into panels that have densities in the range of
300–500 kg m−3. The wood–wool/cement ratios vary from 0.4 to
0.6 by weight. WWCBs were developed primarily as substitutes for
asbestos–cement, and have been promoted mostly in the last 25
years. Wood–wool is attractive for use as noncombustible soundabsorbing
ceiling, thermal insulations and wall panels (Wolfe and
Gjinolli, 1996).