4. Conclusions
Based on the results of this work the following conclusions can
be drawn.
(1) The addition of the fibrous materials to cement clearly reduced
the maximum hydration temperature attained, hydration rate
(◦C h−1) and increased the time to maximum temperature.
Eucalypt was less compatible with cement than poplar wood.
(2) In general, the wood–cement mixtures had a longer reaction
time and lower maximum temperature, compared to the neat
cement.
(3) Poplar WWCBs showed significantly higher mechanical properties
than eucalypt boards. This is probably due to the high
compaction ratio and less extractives of poplar.
(4) The use of DMRT in this study indicated that the differences
between the mean values of the wood–wool mixture, cement
and CaCl2 contents and within and among each of the groups
compared were highly significant.
(5) Most types of the boards manufactured met the minimum
strength requirements of the ISO standards.
(6) All boards made with 40% poplar, 55% cement and 5% CaCl2 had
the highest values among the other types of treatments.