Seagrass- and wood-based cement boards: A comparative study in terms of physico-mechanical and structural properties

The inclusion and management of local, natural resources in the construction sector are on the rise as a result of the undisputed essentiality of sustainability. This study aims to assess and compare cement-bonded boards containing seagrass fibers ( Posidonia oceanica ) and pine wood particles ( Pinus sylvestris ) in terms of their compatibility with cement, their physico-mechanical properties, and their microstructure using X-ray micro-computed tomography and 3D-reflected light microscopy. Seagrass-based cement boards comply with the DIN EN 634 surpassing the stated MOR value of 9 N mm −2 . The thickness swelling of all seagrass-based cement boards was between 0.2 and 1.2%, indicating a possible outdoor application. The structural characterization and the study of the degree of compatibility showed that the size, geometry, and chemical composition of the lignocellulosic precursors mostly influenced the final properties of the board. Seagrass-based cement boards provide novel possibilities to use new environmentally friendly materials for construction applications.