Effect of alkaline treatment of straw fiber on mechanical properties of cement-bonded straw fiber board

Cement-bonded straw fiber board made from straw fiber and cement was prepared by semi-dry processing technology to investigate the effect of alkali treatment on the mechanical properties of the board. Results indicated that, board fabricated with 1% alkali solution treated fiber showed maximum improvement in mechanical properties. After alkali treatment, hemi-celluloses of straw fiber were removed, which can avoid hemi-celluloses hydrolyzing into monosaccharide which is disadvantage of solidifying of cement. At the same time, the fiber surface became rough, which can increase the mechanical interweaving force between cement and fibers, thereby the board mechanical properties were improved. Furthermore, the increase of strength and aspect ratio of fiber can also improve the mechanical properties.