Effect of carbon dioxide-air concentration in the rapid curing process on the properties of cement-bonded particleboard

This study deals with the effects of carbon dioxide (CO₂)-air concentration in the rapid curing method on the properties of cement-bonded particleboard manufactured using conventional cold pressing as the setting method. The hydration of cement was examined using X-ray diffractometry, thermal gravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The results are as follows: (1) The properties of CO₂-cured boards improved with increasing CO₂ concentration. When 10% or 20% CO₂ was applied for 10 min of curing time, the properties of the CO₂-cured boards were comparable to those obtained by conventional 2-week curing. (2) The hydration process of cement could be accelerated within several minutes using CO₂ curing, even with a low concentration of 10%–20% CO₂; a reduction in calcium hydroxide was observed followed by rapid formation of calcium carbonate.