Degradation and Microstructure of Palmdate Fibers-High Performance Cementitious Boards Exposed to Aging Conditions

It is essential to create more ecologically friendly and sustainable types of concrete due to severe emissions and the exhaustion of raw sources in cement manufacturing. The main objective was to determine if palmdate fibers were appropriate for use in wood-cement composite boards. A second objective is to improve the suitability of palmdate fibers for use in high-performance cementitious boards by pre-treatment procedures and carbon dioxide curing. The flexural strength and microstructural characteristics of the cement fiber boards were examined. In addition, durability tests including cycles of freezing and thawing, wetting and drying, and warm water immersion were also conducted. According to results, the use of treated palmdate fibers in high-performance cementitious boards was significant, because it increased flexural strength by 96%. Moreover, all CO2 cured boards showed higher flexural strength than control and pure carbonation curing 100% do not resulted in higher strength development. Also, X-ray diffraction patterns revealed, compared to control boards, CO2 cured boards showed more CaCO3 and lower Ca(OH)2 and according to SEM, aging exposures lead to make fibers rupture rather than pull out.