Effects of beech and eucalyptus sawdust as a supplementary material to improve the performance of composite panel

The use of wood fibers and recycled paper fibers in cement composites has many advantages. Wood fiber reinforced composites are easy to cast or mold into a desired shape, resistant to fire, as well as being resistant to harmful effects of sunlight, rain, and insects. These composites also have low thermal conductivity, a great degree of processing flexibility, in addition to helping eliminate environmental pollution by recycling wood fiber. The present study seeks to investigate the effect of eucalyptus and beech wood flour on the mechanical properties of wood–cement composites. Five levels of wood (0%, 8%, 20%, 32% and 40%) and one level cement (60%) were used. Totally 15 composites were produced. The composites were manufactured using hot press and tested based on DIN 68763 standard. After preparation of test samples, mechanical properties (bending and hardness) and physical properties (water absorption and thickness swelling) were measured. Results showed that addition of both fillers reduced modulus of rupture and increased modulus of elasticity, water absorption and thickness swelling. The Eucalyptus present in composite wood-cement caused a reduction in mechanical and physical properties can use with Beech wood flour.