The water resistance or thickness swelling (TS) was the
major problem. Even though the addition of calcium chloride
improved the fibreboards’ properties, the water-swelling
properties were adversely affected. None of the manufactured straw fibreboards met the European wood-based MDF standard (EN 622-5: 2006). TS and water absorption (WABS) were
several times higher than the requirements in the MDF standard.