Wood Wool Cement Board

Introduction

Philippines Institute has developed Wood Wool Cement Board (WWCB) which is a panel product made of shredded wood bonded with ordinary portland cement (OPC), water and a suitable cement setting accelerator. It is pressed under low pressure and ambient temperature. WWCB can be characterized as insulating, acoustical, fire resistant, water resistant and fungi resistant. The common size of WWCB is 610 x 2440 mm (2' x 8') and can be engineered to the desired thickness (6 mm - 50 mm) and densities (400 - 1000 kg/m3). The F-house building technology does not involve any material or process that may have adverse effects on or damage our environment. On the contrary, this building technology provides several opportunities to promote efficient and wise utilization of wood and other wood-based products as a means of conserving our forest resource.

The F house building technology requires the use of lightweight structural frames and panel products. Hence, the F house also provides another opportunity to promote the utilization of agricultural wastes to produce lightweight and environmentally acceptable construction materials. At the Institute, two prototype units have been built; one made of wood frames and the other, lightweight steel sections. it was found that the use of wood frames resulted in lower costs of production compared to the use of steel. This encourages the use of lumber instead of steel, a material whose manufacture process raises environmental concerns such as pollution of our environment and the depletion of the ozone layer. Mass production of F houses at the shop allows a more efficient cutting schedule for lumber (in contrast to the unprogrammed cutting of lumber at the construction site). Thus, less waste is generated when cutting lumber to the required dimensions and lengths, resulting in conservation of our timber resources through efficient utilization.

The Institue also has an opportunity to introduce the utilization of equally efficient and quality-assured lumber from lesser-known species as a means of relieving pressure on the demand for premium species. In both prototype units, roof boards, walls and flooring are made of wood wool cement board - a product made from shredded wood, water and cement. Besides WWCB, other wood-cement panels made from agricultural wastes such as rattan shavings, cotton stalks, tobacco talks, as well as other indigenous materials such as bamboo can be used. Hence, this technology encourages the utilization of agricultural wastes and indigenous materials, mostly those found in the rural areas, as source of construction materials.

Application/Uses

Construction industry: WWCB can be used as exterior wall, partition wall, ceiling and fascia boards. It can also be used as furniture/cabinet components such as table tops, sidings and drawers.

Advantages

The production of WWCB uses simple equipment and utilizes indigenous and renewable sources. Its production requires less energy and consumes minimal water.

For further information please contact

Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology
APCTT Building
C-2 Qutab Institutional Area
P.O.Box - 4575
New Delhi - 110 016
India
Tel : 91-11-26966509
Fax : 91-11-26856274